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again. Gordon had lost his wife years ago. She hadn’t known him then, but how did one survive that? She and Wes were having problems, but she still cared about him.
    Madison came unsteadily to her feet. “I should call Wes’s parents.”
    Gordon paused, a tea bag in his hand. “I don’t mind calling them.”
    She took a deep breath. “They deserve to hear it from me.” Walking
over, she picked up the phone, very aware that her hand was trembling.
    Gordon watched Madison for a brief moment, then turned to the silent man standing across the room. “Zachary, I’m Gordon Armstrong, Madison’s friend, and producer. Sorry I didn’t get your last name.”
    â€œIt’s Holman.” Zachary shook his head when Gordon lifted a cup. His attention was centered on Madison who clutched the phone in one hand and rested her forehead in the palm of the other. The phone call wasn’t going to be easy.
    Zachary could imagine the reaction of Wes’s parents. Wes was everything to them. They loved him unconditionally and exclusively, leaving no room for anyone else.
    Madison had planned on being strong, but the instant she heard the East Texas twang in Wes’s father’s voice, the tears started. She couldn’t seem to get them to stop or to get the words to come out.
    The phone was gently removed from her hand. Through a sheen of tears she saw Zachary hunkered down in front of her holding up the phone to Gordon who traded the cup of tea for the phone. Just as gently, Zachary folded her trembling hands around the delicate rose-patterned cup.
    â€œMr. Reed, this is Gordon Armstrong,” he said into the receiver. “I’m afraid I have some bad news for you. Wes has been injured in an automobile accident. He’s at Parkland Hospital.” Gordon laid a comforting hand on Madison’s trembling shoulder. “His condition is serious. He’s in surgery now. They were kind enough to have Madison wait in a private conference room on the fifth floor. Ask for Ann Crane when you get here and they’ll get you to us. All right. Good-bye.”
    â€œI’m sor—”
    â€œYou’re entitled,” Gordon said, cutting her off. “Get her to drink that tea. I’ll just step outside and make a couple of calls to let the staff know what’s going on.”
    Zachary’s large hands closed around hers. “Drink up. You’ll feel better.”
    Madison shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
    â€œIt’s almost two. If I recall, from the months of building your house, you didn’t eat much for breakfast and tended to call a Danish or a candy bar lunch.” He urged the cup back to her mouth. “You’re running on nerves now, you need the sugar.”
    Madison drank the tea she didn’t want and couldn’t taste. It seemed
easier than arguing. Finished, she handed Zachary the cup. Arms folded, she leaned her head back against the chair, closed her eyes, and prayed.
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    Friends and co-workers came in a steady stream to offer their support. As some left, new arrivals took their place. Refreshments had been replenished twice.
    Although Madison appreciated their coming, she wished for a few moments of quiet, for some time when she didn’t have to make polite conversation. Because behind the bright chatter she could hear their fear. Wes had been in surgery for more than four hours. For some reason her gaze kept going to Zachary, who remained apart from everyone else. It was almost as if he wanted to be invisible.
    Vanessa and A.J. Reed’s arrival brought an immediate stop to the hushed conversation in the room. Fear sparkled in the eyes that swept the room for her daughter-in-law. “Madison!” It was half cry, half wail.
    Madison felt the tears brim again. Wes’s mother had always been so controlled. Now she appeared near her breaking point. Madison’s heart went out to the