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died in a car accident.
    “He’s stable at the moment.  The cardiologist is admitting him to the Coronary Intensive Care Unit, and he’s going to have to have a lot of tests done.  We won’t know much of anything until we get the results.”  Jackson raked his hand through his hair, just like John always did.  Except Jackson’s hand was shaking, and he seemed to grow paler by the second.
    “Jackson, sit down,” Emma ordered.
    “I’m fine, Ma,” Jackson said, even as he wavered on his feet.
    “Jesse, plant your brother’s butt in a chair.  James, get him some coffee.  Jared, see if you can find a sweet roll or candy bar.”  She moved over to where Jesse was pushing Jackson into a seat.
    “How many more times did you have to defibrillate him?”  Emma’s tone left no doubt that Jackson had better tell her the truth. 
    Jackson sighed and let his head fall back against the seat.  He shut his eyes, but she saw the brimming tears.  “Three, but he’s stable now.  They have him sedated and hooked up to everything possible to keep him going until they can find out what’s wrong.  How did I not know my own father was sick?  I’m a doctor for God’s sake.”
    “Nobody knew,” Jesse said.  “I’ve been reading online that sometimes there isn’t any way possible to know.  What we have to focus on is from this point forward.  So if you take another dive into the dark abyss of guilt I will take you back to that creek I tried to drown you in no matter what the temperature is outside.”
    “And I’ll let him,” Emma added.
    “Ma!”  Jackson snapped his eyes open, shocked.
    James and Jared walked up bearing gifts of coffee and a candy bar.  “Did you hear that, Jared?  After thirty some years Ma just gave her blessing on creek dunking.”
    Emma shook her head.  “I swear, talking to you boys is like talking to your father.  He could twist things around to his way faster than the devil can tempt a sinner.”
    All four boys laughed.
    “You married him anyway,” James said softly.
    Emma smiled.  “Yes I did.  There was one thing he did better than anything anybody ever thought of doing.  He could kiss the ever loving daylights out of me.”
    “Ma!”
    All four boys winced as if they didn’t want to think about their parents having sex.
    “Don’t ‘Ma’, me.  Bet you boys haven’t fallen far from the oak tree.  Should I ask around?”   Wincing turned to shock, and Emma swore every one of them blushed.  Hmmph.  She could teach Jesse a thing or two about easing the tension amid her rug rats, even Jackson’s color had returned to normal.
    Things were okay for the moment.  John was where he could be helped.  Her boys were together and helping.  And all of them were in God’s hands, including her heart.

Chapter Four

    Present Day
    “J ohn, I love you,” Emma whispered to her husband as she slid her hand over his. He didn’t respond to her touch because they had him sedated.  And his skin was almost frighteningly cool, making her want to cry out with the need to warm him.  Both the sedation and keeping his body temperature low for the first twenty-four hours were to minimize any possible organ or tissue damage as his body recovered.
    Machines beeped, IV’s dripped, and her heart beat in double-time at seeing him brought so low.  He had always been so strong, such a pillar of strength throughout their life together that seeing him helpless didn’t seem real.  Both the wonder and the trouble with him was that he’d always had more brave brawn than sense.  He thought himself practically invincible against any foe and usually proved that to be true.  Not this time though.
     “When I get you back home, you and me are going to have a come to Jesus meeting about the farm, John Weldon.  I want you around for a good time longer, and I’m not losing you to some cows and beans.”  She was only allowed to visit for a short time every hour, and her time was almost up.