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Bud shook his head

“I know it’s a lot to take in Follow the signs to the SICU waiting rooet you after Nick is settled” The surgeon walked out

Bud exhaled a long breath and then turned to Morgan “I’ll call you Thank you for everything You’re the only one who believes in him”

Morgan took Bud’s hands and gave them a squeeze Then Bud and his sister left the room

“Coan’s shoulder

But her hands began to shake She rolled her fingers into fists and clenched them to stop the treh her control “No I don’t want to go holanced at the tiht” If she went home now, she’d wake Grandpa

She felt lost, her liht of Lance’s arether

“Can I go hoht?” she asked

His fingers dug into her aro”

She let hiht washed across her face She inhaled, the crisp air a bracing shot of energy in her lungs

Lance drove back into town and parked in the driveway of a one-story house He’d been to her house so many times, it felt odd that she’d never been to his He pushed a button on his visor and opened the garage door

They got out of the Jeep, and Morgan stared at the neat ranch-style home “You live close to the office You could walk”

“I do if I’ to be in the office all day, but that’s rare Usually I’work to the job”

She followed hie “Do you like it?”

“I wasn’t expecting to, but yes,” Lance said

Hockey equipe

“You still play?”

“I coach a team of unruly kids I haven’t actually been on the ice since I was shot”

Morgan followed hi rooht back, and the hallway that opened off the living room probably led to the bedroos and no decoration In the living roo surprise was the baby grand piano that took up the entire dining room

As Morgan followed hi and cold nuain

“Can I get you anything? Are you hungry?” Lance turned to stare at her, his gaze searching, assessing “Tea or coffee?”

“No” Morgan pictured Bud’s face as the surgeon gave him the news “I wonder how Nick is” Ean’s chest Anger, frustration, helplessness, all boiled together into a toxic stew “Do you have anything to drink?”

“I’m not sure Let me look” Lance opened and closed three cabinets In back of the lazy Susan, he found a bottle of whiskey, still in its box Obviously a gift, the bottle had a red bow tied around its neck “Since I started working for Sharp, I gave up n He’s not opposed to organic wine or beer The guys on the SFPD gave ift”

He splashed a tiny alass and handed it to her She took a sue to her belly Finally, some warmth

“Do you mind if I take a shower?” he asked

“Not at all” She took another shiskey “I’ll be here”