Page 108 of Last Chance
“Let me hand the rest of the drinks and snacks to Jesse and Janie, and I’ll take over.” He returned a minute later, sans the hot drinks and food. “Go.”
Ten minutes later, Sawyer joined Janie and Jesse in the waiting room. “Anything yet?”
“They’re prepping David for surgery,” Jesse said.
Janie’s eyes widened when she saw the cardboard carrier with multiple drinks. “What did you bring?”
“Guess.” He handed her one cup and watched her breathe in the scent.
“Chocolate. Thanks.”
Sawyer handed her the second cup. “Try this one.”
She sipped. “Mint tea. This is wonderful. You’ll spoil me.”
He brushed her mouth with his. “That’s the goal, sweetheart.”
“What did you get yourself?”
“Coffee, hot and strong.” He handed the remaining cup to Jesse.
Sawyer and Jesse took turns watching the activity in the hallway and the nurse’s desk. Although Janie answered a couple of calls from her employees, she waited in silence for word on her brother’s condition.
Two hours after the surgery began, the neurosurgeon strode into the waiting room. “Moran family?”
Sawyer stood and helped Janie to her feet.
“I’m David’s sister, Janie. How is my brother?”
“He’s stable at the moment. We’re keeping a close watch on him.”
“Were you able to remove the clot?” Jesse asked.
“Part of it, but not all. The clot is too far into the brain. I’m sorry, Ms. Moran.”
Sawyer wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Not the news they’d been hoping for.
“What does that mean for David?” she asked. “Will he be all right?”
“Mr. Moran will need therapy. We won’t know the extent of the damage he suffered from the stroke until he wakes and we’re able to run tests on him. I wish I had better news to give you.”
“Is he out of danger?”
“For the moment.”
“When will I be able to see him?”
“Mr. Moran is still in recovery. He should be back in his room in about an hour. The nurse will come get you when he’s able to receive visitors.” He hesitated. “You should prepare yourself, Ms. Moran. Your brother is likely to need a lot of help when he’s released from the hospital. He’ll need rehab. Depending on his recovery, he may not be able to live alone.”
Janie nodded. “He won’t be alone. David is married. In fact, his wife is expecting their first baby in a few months.”
A slight frown. “Where is his wife?”
“On her way here from Chile. She should arrive in a couple of hours.”
“I see.” He paused, listening to a page over the PA system. “I have to go. If you have more questions, please let the nurse know. We’ll be glad to give you more information. We also have people who will help you or Mrs. Moran with the next steps after David is released.” He left the waiting room.
Janie turned into Sawyer’s arms and buried her face against his neck.