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older woman. They had their differences, but there had never been any doubt about Vanessa, love for Wes. Madison left the group and crossed the room to her.
    â€œHave you heard anything else?” Vanessa asked frantically.
    â€œNo, he’s still in surgery,” Madison bit her lower lip. “The doctor is supposed to come up as soon as he finishes.”
    â€œI can’t wait any longer. The weather was bad at Hobby Airport in Houston and they held up the flight. I almost went crazy waiting. I want to know now. I can’t stand this.” Vanessa whirled toward her husband, a big, rawboned man with wide shoulders and broad features, her voice demanding, and high-pitched. “Don’t you know anyone on the hospital board you can get to intercede on our behalf? They have speakers in the operating room. I want to know how my son is doing.”
    Madison had never heard Vanessa speak above a polite whisper, but she caught herself looking hopefully at Wes’s father. She’d tried to be patient, but … “Could you do that?”
    A.J. was already reaching inside his coat for his cell phone. “I don’t know anyone on the board, but I know someone who probably does.” He began to punch in numbers.

    â€œExcuse me, Mr. Reed,” Gordon said. “You’ll need to use the phone on the credenza. Use of cell phones is prohibited in the hospital.”
    For a moment A.J. looked as if he might keep on dialing, then he slipped the phone back into the inside pocket of his tailored jacket and went to use the phone Gordon had indicated. “This is A.J. Reed. I need to speak to Mayor Jones. It’s an emergency.”
    In a matter of moments A.J. was speaking again. “Doug, my boy’s been in an accident. We’re at Parkland Hospital now and can’t find out anything. Can you call someone to contact the surgeon in the operating room for us and see what’s going on? Yes. The number here is—It’s on your caller ID. I see. Thank you.” He let the receiver fall back into the cradle. “He’ll call us back.”
    â€œI can’t stand this waiting!” Vanessa wailed again.
    â€œWes will come though this,” Madison said, gently touching the woman’s shoulder. “Maybe we’ll know something soon.”
    Sharp eyes lanced back up at Madison. “You’re in the media. Why haven’t you used your influence to find out what is going on?”
    Madison was taken aback by the rebuff, but she had never backed down from Wes’s parents. She had no intention of starting now. “I thought of it while I’ve waited, but I also thought I didn’t want to disturb the doctor while he’s operating. I want his total concentration on helping Wes.”
    Vanessa’s gaze narrowed as if she couldn’t quite make up her mind if she’d been rebuked or not.
    â€œWould you like some tea, Mrs. Reed?” Gordon interjected smoothly as he came to stand by Madison.
    Vanessa’s expression immediately softened. “Yes, thank you.”
    â€œWhy don’t you have a seat and I’ll bring it to you.” Gordon turned to Mr. Reed. “Would you like anything? There’s also bottled water, coffee, and soft drinks.”
    â€œNo.”
    Vanessa started toward the cream-colored velvet sofa in a quiet area of the room, then came to an abrupt halt. Her smooth features tensed.
    Madison followed the direction of her mother-in-law’s gaze and saw Zachary, arms folded, casually leaning against the wall near the couch. “What’s the matter?”
    â€œNothing,” Vanessa said, then turned away. “That love seat over there simply looks more comfortable.”

    â€œOf course,” Madison said, taking the woman’s arm and walking with her to the plump, upholstered love seat on the other side of the room.
    Madison looked back at Zachary. She could read nothing in his closed expression.