Chapter 5

5

Powell stayed in her spot across from Hope Coleson's family. Her own family, her parents, her brothers Alex and Mac, they were there. Mac was almost standing guard at the door now. Of course, they were there. They all considered Haldyn a part of their family. And had for years.

Her mom's fear was right there on her beautiful face. Her mom loved Haldyn. Powell knew that. The rest of Powell's friends were there too. Zoey and Shelby, together like always. And Madison looked horrible. She'd been hurt tonight, too, but Powell had missed the details of how. And why.

All she wanted to know was that Haldyn was going to be okay.

Someone knelt in front of her. He had a bottle of something in his hand. "Drink this. Eat these. I know your stomach's upset right now."

She looked into blue, blue eyes and just nodded. Took the crackers and the juice from Gunnar's hands. She'd been looking for him. He'd had an expression she hadn't understood when he and Daniel had stepped back in. "I should talk to the doctors, I think. Did someone call her sisters?"

"I think Dan did, babe." Gunnar cupped her cheek quickly. "This is the best hospital in the state. We know that."

Powell just nodded.

And they all just waited. Haldyn's sisters arrived together. Powell told them what she knew. Then they just waited.

After about two hours, Powell's head started to clear a little. Jake MacNamara and Murdoch Lake were keeping gawkers out of the surgical waiting room. There wasn't room for a lot of people in there.

There just wasn't.

Not with all the Colesons in there now. Including the kids. Heather had insisted her entire family stay together—and where she could see them.

Something…something was wrong here. And not only because Hope was hurt.

It involved Heather Coleson. Powell just couldn't figure out what.