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  His hand slid under the waistline of her jeans. He unzipped them and lowered them to her ankles. His fingers trailed from her breasts to between her thighs. Her body tensed, and . . . her cellphone came to life.

  Ignore it! Ignore it! Keagan raised an eyebrow in question and she shook her head no. He returned to playing with her nipple. A gentle nip made her insides quiver. The cell rang again. He looked up, and she threw her arms around his neck, raised her face so she could taste his lips. Their kiss lengthened. Heat built. And the cell rang again. This time, Keagan pushed away from her, took it out of her jeans pocket, and handed it to her. She frowned at the I.D. Caller unknown. But he was waiting, watching, so she punched the button. Sylvie rushed into speech.

  “Dad’s sick. He doesn’t look good. You’re a nurse. What should we do?”

  “How sick?”

  “He’s gripping his left arm. He’s in pain. His face looks pretty white.”

  Oh, damn. His heart. “I’m on my way. Call 911.”

  “Hurry!” Sylvie hung up.

  Keagan stepped back, looking worried.

  Karli tugged up her pants, yanked on her shirt. “Axel’s sick, maybe a heart attack.”

  “I’ll follow you there.” Keagan went to his closet, started pulling on clothes. While Karli raced to her car, he ran to the kitchen to turn everything off.

  As she sped to Axel’s farm, Keagan followed close behind her.

  Please, let him make it, Karli repeated over and over in her mind. The man was a pain in the ass, but she wasn’t ready to lose him yet.

  Chapter 37

  The EMS was at the door when she arrived, two men carrying Axel to it on a stretcher. She ran to see him. When she stood close enough, he winked at her. He looked weak and tired, but he still had plenty of vinegar.

  “What’s his blood pressure and pain level?” she asked one of the medics.

  “He’s more stable. We gave him nitroglycerin. The doctors will decide from there.”

  She nodded. She should have known the medics were only allowed to tell her limited information. When Keagan came to stand beside her, Axel winced. “I ruined your night.”

  “No problem.” Keagan smiled. “We’ll see you soon.”

  Sylvie started to climb in the ambulance with him, and Axel shook his head. The medic shrugged. “Sorry. We don’t want him upset.”

  Everyone climbed in cars to follow Axel to the hospital.

  “Why don’t you ride with me?” Keagan asked Karli. “It takes a while to reach Bloomington.”

  She settled onto the passenger seat next to him, and Axel’s kids climbed in Axel’s pickup with Kurt behind the wheel. Keagan’s lips pressed into a tight line, but he didn’t comment.

  They didn’t talk on the drive, going as fast as possible to trail the ambulance while still driving safely, Kurt not far behind them. The ambulance pulled ahead, its lights flashing, and it was sitting at the emergency room doors when they reached the hospital. They parked next to each other in the lot and walked in together.

  There was no one behind the desk, but when a nurse hurried into the room and saw Keagan, she came to talk to him. “He’s already been taken to the cardiac doctor, floor three. You can wait for news in its waiting room.” The girl had shoulder-length, shiny brown hair, intelligent hazel eyes, and cupid-bow lips. Her creamy complexion glowed. She looked thin, but Karli would bet she was strong enough to hoist bodies in and out of beds.

  “Thanks.” He turned to Karli. “This is Kendall, Brad’s friend, and Kendall, this is Karli, my friend.”

  She smiled. “Nice to meet you.”

  A family came in and half-carried a teenager to the desk. He couldn’t put any weight on his leg. Kendall turned. “Have to go.” She hurried to take their information.

  Karli admired how cool and efficient she was while still making the family feel well cared for. “If Brad lets her slip away, he’s going to kick himself later.”

  Keagan started down the hallway, motioning for them to follow. “The elevator’s this way.” Karli studied the hospital as they passed through it. It was bigger than she’d thought, and it was busy. Could she be happy working here?

  He led them to the third floor waiting room. Sylvie reached for her pack of cigarettes, frowned, and plopped onto a chair, crossing her arms over her chest. Ida took a daily devotional out of her coat pocket, and Kurt stretched his legs in front of him and turned his attention to the TV in the corner. Keagan reached for Karli’s hand and gave it a squeeze.

  His touch grounded her. Her mind had been filled with scattered thoughts and worries, but he looked so calm, so able to deal with anything, she felt her emotions settle, too. She glanced sideways at him, and he gave her an encouraging smile. What would it be like to wake to a man like Keagan every morning? To go to bed with him every night?

  They settled in for the long wait. Hours later, the doctor swung into the room and asked, “The Crupe family?” When they nodded, he looked at his notes. “Axel’s not in good shape. We’re going to keep him here until he’s a little stronger, but then he wants to go home.” He smiled. “He has strong opinions, doesn’t he?”

  They nodded in unison.

  The doctor took a deep breath. “Look, I gave him the okay to go home when he leaves here. He might as well. In my opinion, he doesn’t have a lot more time. He said he wants to die at home.”

  Die? At home? Karli gripped Keagan’s hand tighter. She’d been trying to decide between in-home care and a nursing home. She hadn’t thought about death.

  The doctor studied her. He must have seen her surprise. He started to say something else, but Kurt interrupted him.

  “I get his truck. It’s mine.”

  The doctor stared.

  “That’s all you get,” Sylvie said. “The rest, we split between the three of us.”

  “Why should he get the truck?” Ida argued. “My car’s in bad shape, too.”

  The doctor talked over their bickering. “We’ve moved him to a private room. You can see him for a few minutes, but don’t upset him. Then you have to leave. He needs to rest.”

  Sylvie, Ida, and Kurt rushed out of the room. Keagan pulled Karli close and hugged her to him. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded. “I didn’t realize how bad he was. He was taking heart meds, but I didn’t think he’d have heart failure. I thought I was just finding him better health care for his final years.”

  The doctor looked sympathetic. “He’s a stubborn, old man. He might last longer than we think, but his heart’s in bad shape. I’d make sure everything’s in order, in case.”

  She nodded, and he left. Keagan asked again, “Are you okay?”

  “My mom needs to know. I’ll call her when I get home.”

  Keagan shifted so that his arm spanned her back. “Come on. Let’s go see him before he’s worn out by the others.”

  He was right about that. When they got to Axel’s room, the nurse on duty looked like she’d like to throttle Kurt, Ida, and Sylvie.

  “No one else came,” Sylvie was saying. “We’re the ones who deserve your inheritance. You should put that in writing.”

  Karli blocked them out. She went to the bed and took Axel’s hand. “How you doing, old coot?”

  He smiled, but he looked wiped-out; spent.

  “Are you in pain? Uncomfortable? The nurse is here. She can help you.”

  He turned his head, upset, until he saw Keagan. Then he relaxed. “Karli promised me a rib eye. You should come when she cooks it for me.”

  Keagan grinned. “You don’t have to ask me twice. I’ll be there. You look a little worn-out.”

  Axel raised an eyebrow. “I can still give you a run for your money.”

  “Nope, you’re all spit and vinegar. If you plan to pester me, you’d better get some rest. I’ve got the advantage right now.”


  Axel chuckled, but his eyes drooped. “Take Donna’s vixen home and keep an eye on things for me. I’ll be back soon.”

  “Got you.” Keagan looked at the nurse.

  She raised her arms and said, “Everyone out. You need your rest, and so does Axel.”

  On the drive home, both Karli and Keagan were rattled. They held hands until they reached Axel’s farmhouse. It was nearly midnight. Before Karli stepped out of the SUV, she leaned forward and kissed Keagan’s cheek. “Thank you for being there. I needed it.”

  “Mutual,” he said. “If you need anything or his condition changes, call.”

  Lord, she loved this man. Yes, loved him, she thought as she walked into the house. Thankfully, the others weren’t back yet. She walked into her room and closed the door. Dusty scratched at it, and she realized she hadn’t fed him. She hurried through her evening chores, then rushed to her room when she heard Kurt pull into the driveway. She left the door cracked for the cat, but she didn’t want to see them. Right at the moment, she’d like to hurt all of them. She turned off the light. Moonbeams spilled through the long, narrow windows, and she went to sink onto her air mattress.

  She listened to the others spill into the house. They went to the kitchen and then sat around the worktable, arguing back and forth. Who should get this? Who should get that? She could spit on them all. Axel could be dying, and they were dividing up the loot. They disgusted her.

  Dusty jumped up to cuddle next to her. He’d disappeared during all the commotion, probably hiding out in the basement, but he’d returned. She stroked his smooth fur and called her mom.

  “Karli? Are you all right? It’s late.”

  “We had to call the EMS for Axel,” she said. “Your dad’s heart problems have gotten a lot worse.”

  After a brief hesitation, Mom said, “I’m coming there. I’ll take off work. I didn’t realize Dad was so bad.”

  “Neither did I. How’s your project at work?”

  “We’re through the hard stuff. Other people can handle the rest. Your dad will take care of the house and everything else. He can go to Milwaukee without me.”

  “You’re sure? Axel won’t be nice to you if you come.”

  Her mom gave a sharp laugh. “What’s new? He was never nice to us. But if he dies before I get there, I’ll always be mad at myself.”

  That’s what Karli suspected. That’s why she’d called. “The fab three will take care of him until he croaks.” Her voice sounded bitter. She hadn’t meant for it to.

  Her mom laughed. “The fab three—I like that! They can do what they will, but I want to say goodbye to Dad. I need closure.”

  “Okay, then. I’ll see you soon.” Karli reached to pet Dusty. She felt better. Keagan would be there for her, she knew. And Mom was coming. She’d clean a room for her upstairs.

  “Thanks for doing this, Karli,” her mom said.

  “Anything for you, Mom.” And when she hung up, Karli knew that if her parents needed her life savings, she’d give it to them. She loved Keagan all the more for doing that.

  Chapter 38

  Without Axel to cook for, Karli made herself a peanut butter sandwich before driving to Bloomington to check on him. Kurt, Ida, and Sylvie could fend for themselves.

  “Are you going to the hospital to visit your dad today?” she asked them. They were rummaging through the refrigerator and didn’t look happy. None of the leftovers must have pleased them.

  Sylvie shrugged. “Seein’ us isn’t goin’ to make his day. We thought we’d stay here and wait for him.”

  Why didn’t that surprise her? If there wasn’t some incentive, they didn’t put themselves out.

  “Are you goin’?” Sylvie waited for her answer.

  “I’m getting ready now.” Something was up, but Karli couldn’t put her finger on it. She studied the three of them, but they all did their best to look innocent. Finally, she shook her head and went to get her coat. “My mom will be here later tonight. I told her about Axel.”

  Ida grimaced. “You mostly leave us alone. I don’t suppose your mom will.”

  “She’ll probably be excited to see you.”

  Sylvie snorted. “Yeah, right.”

  Her mom was probably dreading it, but she wasn’t about to say that. “Axel gave me the money to get what you need for Thanksgiving.” He’d given her more than she’d probably need. “Mom will be here, too. If I buy now, you can make things ahead. Need anything else?”

  “We’re fine.” Ida looked hopeful. “You’re going to be gone a while, aren’t you?”

  Karli stared at her. Did she bother them that much? “Is there something you need right now?”

  “No!” Sylvie glanced at her sister, then forced a smile. “Tell Dad we love him.”

  That couldn’t sound more fake. Karli glanced at each of them again, but gave up. She was wasting time. “Well, see you later.”

  She could almost hear their sigh of relief when she left the house. What was their game? Were they going to go through the house and put their names on each thing they wanted? Start carrying things to their cars? It wouldn’t surprise her. Which one of them would want the fine china and silverware in the built-in dining room cupboards? They’d been covered in dust. She didn’t think anyone had touched them since Axel’s mom died.

  With a sigh, she pushed the fab three out of her mind and concentrated on the drive to Bloomington. She turned on the radio and let music distract her. By the time she reached the hospital, she’d mentally ticked off everything she wanted to get done for the day.

  As she exited the elevator on Axel’s floor, she saw a man leaving his room, a man she’d never seen before. He looked serious. A doctor maybe? No, he wasn’t dressed like a doctor. A minister? Would Axel want to make amends before his last breath? If he did, he wouldn’t want her poking into his business, so she decided to keep quiet.

  She knocked before entering his room. When he looked up and saw her, he grinned.

  “Coming to see if I’m still alive?” He pointed to the hospital menu. “Guess what? They’re bringing me a steak for supper.”

  She shook her head. “That’s great for cholesterol.” But why not? He might as well enjoy whatever he wanted. If he became a vegan now, it wouldn’t make much difference.

  Axel scowled at her. “You’re not going to leave now that you think I won’t be around much longer, will you?”

  His question startled her. She could tell by his tone he wanted her to stick around. “I have a job starting the second week of December, have to start work then. I signed a contract.”

  “But you’ll stay until then?”

  She frowned. Where was the man who grumped at her day in and day out? “You’re not thinking of kicking off that soon, are you?”

  “You’ll stay?” he repeated.

  She nodded. “I’ll stay until I have to start work.”

  His shoulders relaxed.

  She wanted to make him feel better. “My mom’s coming to visit you. She’ll get here tonight.”

  He rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. “If she has to.”

  And there was the true Axel—a pain in the ass. “I thought you’d like that, that you wanted your kids to bicker over you.”

  “I guess.” He gave her a shrewd look. “You kind of like my mailman, don’t you? Why haven’t you made a move on him?”

  “Like it’s any of your business.”

  “Do you have a guy on the stringer at home?”

  Where was he going with this? “Do you have a point, or are you just pushing buttons, as usual?”

  Axel grinned. “Keagan’s quiet but stubborn. Once he makes up his mind, a mule would have to kick him in the head to knock some sense into him. You’d be good for him.”

  “Now I’m a mule handler?” she asked.

  “That boy’s a keeper.”
/>   She shook her head, ready to argue, when a nurse poked her head into the room. “Sorry. I need to take Axel down for some tests.”

  Axel let out a loud breath. “More poking and prodding.”

  Karli slanted him a look. “Isn’t that what you were just doing?”

  “Why don’t you give him a shot?”

  She put her hands on her hips. He wasn’t going to let it go. “Who says I haven’t?”

  His whole face burst into a smile. “That’s my girl!”

  The nurse started fussing with tubes, and Karli started to the door. “Do you need anything?”

  “I wouldn’t mind coming home to a pot of your white bean chili and a fancy chocolate cake.”

  “Homemade or bought?”

  “How good are you at cakes?”

  She flicked her middle finger at him. “It’s a good thing you’re an invalid. I’ll look for some recipes.”

  He laughed. “Tell Keagan hi for me.”

  She bit her bottom lip, so she couldn’t say the words ready to spill out. The nurse watched her, her eyes twinkling.

  On the drive back to Mill Pond, she was convinced the old coot was so mean, he’d live forever. When had he decided he was Mr. Matchmaker? As she walked through the aisles of Art’s grocery, though, she piled the cart high with anything she thought he might like, including rib eyes. The old fool hadn’t taken care of himself. No wonder he was in such bad shape. She’d only be around him for a couple more weeks. Then what? She might as well make those weeks special.

  When she got home, she stared at the fresh tire tracks that led to the barn. Kurt had taken the pickup somewhere. She went to the front door and called, “I could use some help! I’ve brought groceries!”

  She heard people scrambling while bottles clunked and papers crumpled. She headed into the kitchen, and her jaw dropped in surprise. “What the hell?”

  Kurt couldn’t meet her gaze. Ida glared, and Sylvie crossed her arms over her chest. A half bottle of Johnnie Walker Gold sat on the table and discarded, eaten lobster tails filled the waste basket.