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for quite some time.” The censure in her voice was unmistakable. He was sure he’d never met this woman, but in Harrisville, some things never changed. “Take that elevator up, then circle around it and go straight back. I think the doctor might still be in the building. I’ll page and check.”
    “Thanks.”
    He walked to the elevator and pushed the call button. Around him, the bustle of workers provided a muffled din to an otherwise quiet atmosphere. He smelled the lingering scent of dinner almost buried under antiseptic.
    The doors swished open, then shut as quietly when he pushed the button. What was he going to say? He’d walked out of his father’s house and never looked back. Even though twice a year he’d sent tersely worded messages, there had been no answer in all that time.
    His hands clenched at his sides. How much had his father changed? Would there be a woman, perhaps stepchildren, hovering at his bedside?
    Chase exited on the second floor and headed for the Cardiac Care unit. Swinging double doors separated that section from the rest of the ward. There was an intercom on one side, with instructions to press the red button and speak to a nurse. He stared at the wall and thought about returning to his truck and driving until Harrisville was a lifetime away.
    No. That was the easy way, the coward’s way. What was it his father had always told him? A man faces the consequences of his actions. He pressed the button.
    “Yes?” a disembodied voice asked.
    “I’m here to see my father. William Jackson.”
    There was a pause, then, “Come in.”
    The doors pushed open easily. A half-dozen rooms stretched in a semicircle around a long nurses’ station. He stood close to the exit, unsure which cubicle contained his father.
    A petite nurse stepped from behind the counter. Her pale blue uniform confused him at first, but then he recognized the smile and flashing humor in her brown eyes. “Terry?”
    She nodded. “It’s been a long time, Chase. I was wondering if you’d come back.”
    There were probably only three people in the whole town who would be happy to see him. If Jenny was the first, then Terry counted as the second. He started to hold out his hand in greeting, but then he hesitated. The gesture was too formal. Before he and Jenny had realized they were more than friends, he and Terry had been an item. Jenny had been his first kiss—they’d taught each other that particular pleasure—but Terry had been his first girlfriend.
    She solved his dilemma by stepping close and offering a hug. “How have you been? We missed you at the reunion last year. No one knew where to send the invitation.”
    He moved back and smiled when she pushed up her glasses in a familiar gesture. “It’s a long way from here to Arizona,” he said quietly. “I live outside of Phoenix.”
    She nodded. “I always knew you’d leave Harrisville behind. That’s all you and Jenny talked about.” She stopped talking suddenly and glanced up at him. Her mouth pulled into a straight line. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring that up.”
    “Hey.” He touched her chin. “It’s okay. I’ve seen her at the mill. She’s the one who sent for me.”
    Terry tucked her hands into the center pocket of her smock and nodded toward the second room from the end. “Your dad’s in there. He’s pretty sedated. There were some tests earlier and the medication helps him sleep. That’s what he needs most, now. Rest and time.”
    Chase studied her. “How bad is it?”
    She shrugged, careful to keep her eyes averted. “Hard to say, exactly. The second heart attack… Gosh!” She swallowed and risked a glance. “You knew about that, didn’t you?”
    “Yes. Go on.”
    “The second heart attack was much worse. We weren’t sure he’d… But don’t worry, Chase. Your father’s a tough and determined man. There’s every chance he’ll pull through.” Her voice was strong, but lacking conviction.
    “Can I go in?” he