Page 41 of Blake

Pax felt sick as they took the elevator to the second floor where the cardiothoracic theatre was.

Blake lifted her hand as the door stopped and kissed her knuckles. “Ready?”

Pax looked at him and nodded then faced the doors as they opened. She was ready and she could do this. Together they walked out onto the floor to meet whatever came her way. She had a wonderful man beside her. She knew he was on her side no matter what.

Chapter Eighteen

Blake was gripping on tight to Pax as they rounded the corner of the hospital corridor and saw the nurse’s station where they stopped, and he asked about Robert Paxton. The nurse pointed in the direction and they walked through a set of double doors and saw Pete and Eddie hovering outside a relative’s room.

Seeing them, he wanted nothing more than to turn and run and take her away from the people he knew had hurt her, scarred her, and not cared. He killed the impulse knowing deep down that for them to have the future he now wanted with her—meaning everything from marriage and kids, to retiring on a beach where she could wear a bikini all day—he needed her whole. He had to help her find peace one way or another and the only way to do that was for her to face her pain and for him to find the truth.

It was the only thing she needed right now; the rest would come later.

Pete nodded when they approached. “Hi, Miss Paxton,” he said, his tone gentle.

Blake got a sense that these men were not out to harm Grace. There seemed a genuine affection for her when they greeted her.

“Hi, Pete, Eddie. Is my mom in there?” She sounded anxious and he felt the tension running through her.

“Yes, she is,” Pete responded opening the door for them to enter.

Henrietta Paxton looked up as the door opened. Her eyes were red from crying, her make-up had run, and she had been dabbing at it with a tissue that was now scrunched up in her hand. Her clothes were couture and expensive but seemed to hang off her as her shoulders slumped. She looked grief-stricken and Blake was shocked.

“Mom,” Pax said and let his hand go to move to her mother.

“Grace, oh, Grace,” she said on a broken sob as Pax sat beside her and took her mother into her arms to cradle her.

Blake gritted his jaw not ready to forgive the woman for what she had done to her daughter for so many years. But Pax didn’t have it in her to turn away when her mother was in pain and needed her. He watched for a second as Pax rocked her mother as if she was a child before he turned to the door and opened to speak to Pete or Eddie.

“Can you ask the doctor or someone to come and fill us in. We can’t get much out of Mrs Paxton.”

Pete frowned and looked at Henrietta, his face softening as he did. So it was like that—Pete was in love with Henrietta. But did she feel the same? Maybe they should look closer at that.

“Mrs Paxton is distraught. Let me find someone.”

He turned to Eddie and said a few low words before Blake shut the door and moved to sit opposite Pax and her mom, giving them some space. A few moments later a knock on the door proceeded an older man who was wearing a white coat and green scrubs. His face was leathery, and he clearly liked the golf course, but Blake didn’t judge.

“Miss Paxton,” he said holding out a hand to Pax who had stood when she heard him enter.

Blake had done the same, moving closer to Pax in case she needed him. Her hand shook the doctor’s hand firmly and then instantly grabbed his own holding it like a vice as she waited for news on her father, the man she’d adored her entire childhood and hated her whole adulthood.

“How is my father?”

The doctor tilted his head and pursed his lips and Blake stepped closer to Pax bracing for the bad news. “Your father is in surgery now. He’s had a severe heart attack and we’re performing a triple heart bypass. The surgery should take around six hours or so, but we’ll keep you updated as and when we can. Rest assured Dr Elliot, who is operating on him, is the top doctor in this field.”

“Thank you, doctor—” She paused searching for his name and locating it on his badge continued. “Dr Frackle. I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me.”

The doctor nodded. “Of course. If you need anything, please ask one of the nurses at the station.”

The doctor left the room and Pax’s eyes came to his for a moment, the depth of understanding and fear for her father mixed with relief that he was still holding on. Blake pulled her close and held her for a minute hoping to give her some strength. Her body relaxed into him and he kissed her temple, the scent of her hair tickling his nose.

“You okay?” He kept his voice low, so her mother didn’t hear. Pax nodded and gave him a tentative smile. He released her and she moved to her mother who looked ashen.

“How you doing, Mom?” she asked touching her arm gently making her jump. The woman was away with the fairies.

Henrietta looked up at her daughter and then across to him before back to Pax. “I…” She stopped and cleared her throat. “I need some air.”

She stood and moved to the door, but it opened before she could touch it. A tall imposing man with salt and pepper hair, tan skin, and the bearing of someone who was used to people doing what he said walked in. Blake was on his feet as he stepped inside the room making Henrietta step back and the colour drained even more from her face.