Maya couldn’t manage an answer, so Jessica stepped forward. She listened closely to what the doctor was saying, in case Maya missed it while she sobbed.
The ultrasound had revealed that he had a badly damaged aortic valve. It would have to be replaced with an artificial valve. The surgery would take place tomorrow. He would probably be in the hospital for up to a week, and then full recovery might take several weeks to months until he felt normal again. Diet and lifestyle changes were highly recommended. He would need to follow up with a cardiologist on a regular basis.
Jessica kept careful mental notes until finally the doctor finished. “Any questions?”
Maya wiped away her tears as she steeled her spine. “Can I go with him on the helicopter?”
“No, I’m very sorry, but there isn’t enough space.”
“That’s okay, I’ll drive up. Can I see him?”
“That should be fine, but you’ll need to make it quick. The helicopter is already on the roof, waiting for him. Do you have Medevac insurance?”
“Yes.”
Really? Jessica did a double-take. She herself had never given a thought to Medevac insurance. Maybe Maya had been more worried about her father, and for a longer time, than she knew.
Which explained why she’d asked Ethan to come up in the first place.
“Matt will take things from here.” A nurse hurried over, while the doctor nodded to them both and prepared to leave.
Maya surprised everyone by flinging her arms around the doctor. “Thank you, Doctor. Thank you for taking care of him. If you ever need a favor from the police depart—“
“Ahem, Maya.” Jessica tugged her away before she crossed any ethical lines and promised to cancel the doctor’s parking tickets. “She’s been very worried,” she explained to the doctor.
“Most understandable.” He gave a little formal bow to them and backed away.
Matt, the nurse, took over and explained that they would need to take an inventory of the possessions Harris had on him before they loaded him onto the helicopter.
Maya’s crying fit had passed, and she seemed to finally focus as the nurse walked her through the Medevac process. Once the helicopter landed in Anchorage, Harris would be taken directly to the cardiac unit where the hospital’s top cardiologist was standing by.
Jessica lingered nearby. Now that Maya had a mission, she was back to her usual self. Strong, practical, decisive. Completely caught up in the task before her—getting her dad on that chopper. Her tears were behind her.
Jessica should probably go find Ethan and pass along Maya’s message. She took a few steps away, then a few more. Maya was so wrapped up she didn’t seem to notice.
When she was halfway to the exit, Maya called out to her. “Jess, wait.”
Maya dashed across the room, and apparently she was still in a hugging mood, because she threw her arms around Jessica.
“Thanks for being here,” she murmured.
“Always.”
“You’re such a good friend. I’m sorry we didn’t get more time to talk about the bakery sale. Maybe when I get back?”
“Sure.”
Maya squeezed her hard. “I’ll call you tonight from Anchorage.”
As she pulled away from the embrace, regret flashed across her face. “I wish I didn’t have to let S.G. down. That’s the worst part. I know she’s counting on me. I was so sure with Ethan around, we could make it happen. I dragged him all the way to Alaska for no reason. I feel bad about that, but I guess you can’t plan for everything.”
“True that.” Jessica squeezed her hand. “You’re doing your best, Maya. You already have a full-time job, don’t forget that part.”
“Right. My job. I gotta give the station a call.” She pulled out her phone, her hands trembling. That sight struck Jessica right through the heart. Her cool, unflappable friend, the one who arrested brawling fishermen without a blink, was still really shaken up.
Phone still in her hand, Maya paused. “One more favor, Jess. I don’t want to break it to S.G. over a phone call. Will you go see her and tell her what’s going on? Make sure she knows I’m not forgetting about her. It’s just gonna have to wait.”
“I’ll tell her. Don’t worry about S.G., she’ll be fine. I think all that hunting she did in the wilderness trained her to be patient. I’ve seen her wait in line for a walnut-cinnamon bun for an hour without complaining.”
Finally Maya flashed a genuine smile. “You’re going to have to hold town-wide grief sessions if you sell the bakery, you know.”
After one last hug, and a request to give one to Harris as well, Jessica left the hospital and headed for her car. She blinked away tears as she went over everything that had taken place in that waiting room.
Her sense of how exhausted Maya was from fighting all her battles. How worried she was about Harris. What she’d said about Jessica living in a bubble. That thing about Glinda the Good Witch. Why had she never said any of those things before?
Jessica knew why. Because Maya loved her and didn’t want to hurt her. She was probably tiptoeing around her feelings. Maybe she didn’t believe Jessica could handle it. Maybe Maya thought of her as someone who preferred pleasant fantasy over tough reality.
It works for you, not for me. I can’t afford to live in a bubble.
Bubbles burst when they collided with anything hard. Like a big decision.
Jessica got into her Subaru and stuck the key into the ignition. Ugh, maybe she did live in a bubble. But that didn’t mean she had to stay there.
A wild idea flashed into her brain.
Her friendships were the cornerstone of her life. Her romantic relationships came and went—she always managed to screw those up—but when it came to her friends, she was always there. Especially for Maya.
What if there was a way she could have Maya’s back—and step out of her bubble?
Chapter Nine
“Celebrating something?”
The bartender at the Olde Salt—a lithe woman in a tight ribbed top with a graphic design of a raised middle finger on it—poured him another cherry soda.
“Yup. The end of my first day in Lost Harbor. Wasn’t sure I’d make it, but here we are.”
To tell the truth, it was hard to believe he’d only been here about twenty-four hours. A lot had happened in that time. Most of it, he’d rather forget.
“Uh…congratulations?” She lifted an eyebrow as she slid him a plastic dish of peanuts. “We don’t usually off our visitors on the first day. We like to wait until a bear comes along, or an orca. Mosquitoes, black flies, that sort of thing.”
“Great.” He lifted his glass in a toast. “Something to look forward to.” He downed it with a jaunty smile.
“You here on business or fishing?”
He couldn’t tell if she was flirting with him or just being bartender-friendly. Even though she was very attractive, with a short pixie cut emphasizing her cheekbones, he didn’t find himself drawn to her. Maybe the fact that he was engaged was finally sinking in.
“I guess you’d call it business.”
“Wait.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “I recognize you. You’re Padric’s friend. You were here for the volunteer auction last year.”