She opened the front door as slowly and quietly as possible, and ran straight into her father's broad chest.
She frowned. Why were they standing at the door with their coats on? They never went out after dinner, unless it was for a fundraiser event of some sort, and there wouldn’t be any of those over the holiday weekend.
“Oh good! Franny you’re home! I was so worried!”
She started to scoff out some smart ass remark, but then she noticed that her mom indeed looked worried. Her face was ashen, and she was not dressed for going out at all.
Her father also wore look of sheer relief at seeing her.
“What’s going on? Where are you guys going at this time of night?”
Her mother took a deep breath as if to steady herself. “Francesca, there was an accident. We thought it was you. We were so worried.”
“Why would you think it was me?”
“Well, you were with Finley earlier. We thought you still were.”
Francesca's heart dropped into her toes, as she stared at her parents, who, despite now knowing that she was home and safe, were moving towards the door as if to leave,
“Where are you going?” she asked again.
“The hospital. Don’t wait up, dear. We might be late.”
“Finn?” she asked, trying to keep the tears from falling. “Was it Finley? Is he okay?”
Her father nodded gravely. “Sheriff Bill called. We’re Finn’s emergency contact.” He nodded in her direction. “We’ll call you as soon as we know, Franny.”
The words floated like bubbles around in her brain. Sheriff Bill, emergency contact, Finley, hospital. Her parents didn't know if he was okay. They hadn’t talked to him, hadn’t seen him, had no information.
“Wait!” she cried, “I’m coming with you.”
The ride to the hospital was a twenty-minute ride, and every second felt like an hour. She had no idea if going with them was the right thing to do, in light of the afternoon's events, but she knew she couldn’t have stayed behind.
She had to see him, had to know how he was and what had happened, and it wasn’t information she wanted to get second hand- sitting at home, and twiddling her thumbs waiting for her parents to remember to call. They had no idea how she felt about Finn, or how her stomach ached with guilt, or how her heart was literally aching at the thought of something happening to him.
When her father parked the car, she jumped out before it was even fully stopped. The hospital was a small one, and she knew her way around it well enough. It took everything she had not to break into a sprint once she crossed through the automatic doors, and made her way to the elevator. Her head was pounding with worry as she rode it up to the third floor. Her feet were moving entirely of their own volition- carried her to the nurses’ station, where thankfully, she was greeted by one of the nicest women in Masonville, Melanie Lewis.
Melanie greeted her the same way she greeted everyone. With a southern drawl and a smile warm enough to melt butter. The thing with Melanie, though, was she was actually genuine.
“Hi sugar, I bet you’re here to check up on the mayor! Are your parents with you?”
“They’re coming,” Francesca whispered. “I kind of ran ahead. I was really worried,” she confided, as if worry was something to be kept secret.
“Well now, sweetie, don’t you worry. I’ve seen a lot of accident victims come through here, and I will tell you that this one could have been a lot worse. There was an angel watching over the whole lot of ‘em, I tell you.
Francesca offered her a weak smile. “Thanks. Is Finley...is he...can we see him?” She was too afraid to ask the things she really wanted to know. Was he okay? Was he conscious? Would he know they were there? And then the last thought... After today, would she even want him to?
“You can see him, but just for a little bit. He needs to get a lot of rest. The town can’t operate without our mayor, can we?” Melanie teased.
Seeing what must have still looked like sick worry on Francesca's face, Melanie patted her hand. “Don’t worry, sugar. It’s gonna be okay. You’ll see. He’s still as ornery as ever. Giving me crap every chance he gets. And he’s probably going to bug you and Joe for information on Clint Williams, who was also in the accident.” At this point, Melanie lowered her voice, and leaned in really close. “Please don’t give him any. It’s going to piss him off, but the doctors still aren’t sure where everything stands right now, and I don’t want him to worry.”
Francesca nodded. That didn’t sound good, but the name wasn’t even ringing a bell so feigning ignorance would be easy. Her dad would surely know though, and keeping him quiet would be a harder task.
“Where’s the mayor? And don’t even try to tell me I can’t see him,” Joe’s voice rang out loudly through the halls. “You all called me down here- I’m his emergency contact, you know.”
Melanie shot an exaggerated eye roll in Francesca’s direction before plastering on a sweet smile and turning her attention to Joe. “Yes, Sir, I know. I’m the one who called you. You can all see him. Just follow me.”
****
Finley heard his mentor and friend long before they made it into his room. Joe didn’t really have an inside voice. Finley scowled. Of course he would get into an accident on the one day he wanted to be nowhere near the person who happened to be his emergency contact. Of course.
If he hadn’t been hooked to so many machines, and numb, he would have hightailed it to the bathroom to hide, but there was no way that was happening. He was a prisoner in his own hospital bed.
They entered, with Melanie ahead of them, and he was shocked to see that Francesca was with them. And she didn’t look pissed, or spiteful in the least. She looked scared. She looked directly at him, but said nothing. Neither did he. There was nothing to say.
Melanie left, and Joe was quick with the questions.
“What happened to you, boy? When are they letting you out of here? What are your injuries?”
“I got in a wreck with another truck. I don’t know when I can leave, because I have no idea what my injuries are.”
Joe’s eyebrows furrowed. “Well, where does it hurt?”
Finley sighed. “It doesn’t sir. Except for my head.”
The rancher’s eyebrows furrowed as he processed the information and possible implications. “They haven’t even told you what your injuries are? That’s horseshit. I’m going to find a doctor.” He didn’t even finish speaking before he stormed into the hallway, yelling for Melanie, leaving Finn alone with Priscilla and Franny.
The room was awkwardly silent. Priscilla was quiet and soft spoken by nature. Around a personality like Joe’s, you kind of had to be. Francesca? She was just pissed.
Finely didn’t blame her. He was pissed too. More than anything, he wished things were different and that he had been able to give her the answer she wanted, but they just weren’t.
The three of them just stared at each other in awkward silence. Thankfully, Joe was loud enough and influential enough to be back in minutes, with the doctor by his side.
“I couldn’t find Doctor Miller,” Joe boomed. “Apparently, he’s on holiday or some such thing. But this here is Doctor Carter and he tells me he is the one in charge of your care at the moment.”
Finn stifled a laugh. Joe was used to having things exactly the way he wanted them. It was lucky it was himself, and not Joe laying in the hospital or he probably would have demanded Doc Miller cut his holiday short to take care of him.
“Anyway, the doctor here assures me that you are going to be okay.” Joe rocked back on his heels, looking pleased with himself, as if the prognosis was all his doing. “Some scrapes and bruises, and the possibility of a broken bone or two, and they will know for sure soon.”
That made no sense. “If I have broken bones, why don’t they know already? And, wouldn’t I be in pain? Why can’t I feel anything?” Finn tried hard to keep the worry and emotion out of his voice on the last sentence, but inside he was p
anicking.
Joe too, faltered.
Dr. Carter quickly stepped in. “We’re trying to figure that out. The good news is that we have ruled out any neurological factors, and any serious spinal injuries. So whatever is causing it, it is most likely temporary, and caused by your body’s response to trauma. There are some broken bones. A few ribs, and a leg. Possibly some whiplash. We would like to keep you for a night or two for observation, but we are confident that you will make a full recovery.”
There were a million questions Finn still had, but he didn't want to ask them with Francesca or Joe there. Maybe now that they knew his injuries were minimal, they would leave and let him rest. Maybe if he feigned a yawn they would take a hint and let him be. As it turned out, one escaped anyway, and he didn’t even have to pretend. It was probably the painkillers.
“We should let Finley get some rest, Joe, now that we know he’s okay. We can come back tomorrow and check on him, but right now, the doctors need to do their job, and find out what's going on, and he needs to rest.” It was Priscilla who finally spoke up.
Joe didn’t want to leave, and Finn had to smile. When it came to everything but his only daughter, Joe didn’t know how to not be in control of a situation. He had a lot of power in this town, and he was used to using it to get his way. If Doc Miller had been here, it would have worked too, but the new Doc wasn’t having any of it.
It took all four of them to finally convince Joe that it was okay to go, and that Finn would still be here when they came back.
Only when they were finally gone did it occur to him that Francesca hadn’t said a word the whole time. His body may have been numb to the broken bones, but the pain in his heart and stomach was real.
Chapter Eight
Two days passed in the hospital without event. The feeling came back in Finn’s legs and the pain was enough that he wished it would go again. He finally got someone to tell him the truth about Clint Williams. The young man hadn’t been wearing a seat belt. Since he had been able to see the crash coming, he had tried to put it on, but he wasn’t quite fast enough. His truck was smaller than Finn’s and his legs and spine had been damaged. The injuries were extensive, but the doctors were hopeful, and were planning to move him to a bigger hospital as soon as they were able. Nobody was saying for sure, but the implication was heavy. The young man may never walk again. Finn was devastated at the news, and no matter how many times people reminded him that the accident hadn’t been his fault, or that Clint hadn’t been wearing a seatbelt, he couldn’t help but feel guilty about a young life forever changed. The accident may not have been his fault, but it might have been prevented if he hadn’t been so distracted by his own thoughts.
Joe came by several times each day, and he was always alone. He tried his hardest to cheer Finn up, even going so far as saying he would help pay for the boy’s medical bills, but it was hopeless. Joe couldn't help the problems he wasn’t aware of, and Finn wasn’t about to tell him that he was lovesick for Joe’s own daughter, the one girl he could never have.
On the last day, which ended up being a Monday and a day later than they originally told him, Joe came to pick him up, walking into the room as if getting out of the hospital was the most exciting thing anyone had accomplished ever.
“Ready to be sprung from this joint, and get some real food, boy?”
Finn frowned. Who had called Joe? It certainly hadn’t been him.
“A burger sounds good, but you didn’t have to come get me, Joe. I’m a big boy, I can fend for myself.”
“Really? You are planning on driving yourself home, with the feeling just back in your leg and one leg broken?”
Feeling like a child, Finn glared at him. “I can manage.”
“Oh, okay.” Joe nodded agreeably. “I’ll just go on and get your truck ready then… Oh wait, it’s totaled. Did you forget? Maybe we should have them check that ol’ noggin of yours one more time?”
“Damn it,” he scowled, realizing he was stuck and he had forgotten. There was no cab service in Masonville either.
“Doc says you can’t drive until your cast comes off.”
“Like hell. I’m the mayor of this town, and I have a job to do. It’s the holidays and there is a lot to be done.
“And we’ll make sure it gets done, and we will make sure that you get anywhere you need to go. Stop fussing. Men don’t fuss.”
“I’m not fussing,” Finn growled. “And who is this we you keep mentioning?”
Joe pegged him with a look that had the power to make him feel two feet tall, and Finn smirked inwardly. If Joe had ever bothered to use that look on his own daughter, maybe they wouldn’t all be where they were now.
“Me. Priscilla. Francesca. Your family.”
Finn had to hold back a scoff, not wanting to risk insulting Joe, because as odd as it seemed, the man was the closest thing he had to family. Saying the same about Priscilla or Franny would be a stretch though.
“I appreciate the thought Joe, but I can manage on my own. I’ve been on my own a long time, and I do all right. If you could just get me home today, I’ll get something figured out for the rest of it.” Surely there was a college kid or a young parent or somebody who had a reliable car and could benefit from a job at Christmas time. He would just have to hire somebody or even several somebodies who didn’t mind driving him around for extra cash.
“Horseshit.” Joe was not taking no for an answer, but that was nothing new. “A real man knows how to accept help when he needs it, and doesn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. You are coming home with me. We have lots of room, and lots of people around in case of emergency.”
Finn could only scowl. Joe was so accustomed to getting his way, there was no use arguing with him, but it didn’t mean he had to stay.
*****
Francesca’s heart was in her throat as she waited for her father to arrive home with Finn in tow. She almost expected that it wouldn’t happen, but Joe was the only person she knew whose stubbornness exceeded Finley’s. Except perhaps herself. She could be pretty stubborn too. She was, in a lot of ways, her father’s daughter.
Her mother was beside herself scrambling to prepare for Finley’s extended stay. It was the sort of thing her mother would usually leave up to the help, but today apparently, Francesca was the help. They had fixed up the lower guest suite, preparing the bed with fresh sheets, dusting, opening the windows to let in some fresh air, and making sure it was stocked with anything Finn might need. In her opinion, her mother had gone way overboard, and Finn would be out of here the first chance he got. If he showed up at all, it would be for the sake of humoring Joe.
“Francesca darling, settle down, you’re wearing a hole in the carpet.”
Francesca stopped and looked down. Her mother bought a new carpet nearly every year, and this one was in perfect condition. “Sorry Mom, I’m just feeling a little restless. I,” she trailed off, knowing she couldn’t tell her mother the true root of her anxiety, so she settled for a lesser truth. “I’m just missing home. I hadn’t quite planned on being here this long. Masonville is nice, and it’s always good to see you and Father, but it’s not home. Not anymore.”
Her mother smiled, and came to stand near her daughter, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “I understand, darling. I sometimes still feel that way, and I’ve been here for over half my life. But there are still days when I look around at the cows, the horses, the farmland, and the cowboys, and I wonder how my life ended up this way. Then I look at your father, and I remember.” Priscilla had grown up a typical southern belle in the deep south, as the debutante daughter of a plantation owner whose roots went back to the pre-civil war era. Even though Francesca had heard the story a thousand times, she still had a hard time understanding how her parents ended up together. The two of them truly couldn’t have been more different.
“I know it’s different darling, but I am really glad you’re here. Doctor Miller should be back next week, and I am hoping to get your father an a
ppointment as soon as possible.”
Sighing, Francesca laid her head on her mother's shoulder. Joe had seemed to have his wits about him for most of her visit, save for the snafu in the very beginning, and she couldn't help but think that she didn’t really need to stick around to hear what the doctor said, but she really wasn’t quite ready to leave yet either. If she was truly honest with herself, ninety percent of the reason she had agreed to stay had more to do with Finley than with her father, and if and when she left, he would probably be the reason for that too.
For now, she was choosing to believe that serendipitous circumstances had landed them under the same roof, if only for the night, and she was going to try her hardest to fix whatever had happened between them. Maybe she would be lucky, and a combination of meds and pain would somehow wear down Finley’s stubborn streak and create a break in his facade. Ha, she scoffed at herself. Keep dreaming.
Hearing her father’s truck in the drive, Francesca fought against the instinct to run and hide. Every hair on her body stood on end as she waited for the door to open.
When her father entered, holding suitcases, keeping the door open, and looking behind him expectantly, she nearly made a run for the bathroom to lose her lunch. Instead, she straightened her posture, pulling herself up to her full five foot six inches, and steeled her gaze, determined to meet Finn’s gaze full on, assuming of course that he would even look at her. The last two times she had seen him, he hadn’t. Surely he wouldn’t ignore her in her parent’s home-with them standing right there. That would look really suspicious, and Finley was a lot of things but stupid wasn’t one of them.
It took a few minutes longer than it should have but eventually Finley hobbled in on crutches, looking sheepish and out of place for a moment, before his usual cocky, self-confident facade took over.
Catching Her Cowboy Daddy Page 7
