Lass Ride: Crossroads

Chapter 6

"Thanks so much for coming with me, Becks." Charlotte slung an arm along her friend's shoulders and pulled her in close, kissing the top of Becky's head. "I know we can't both talk to Dad at the same time, but hospitals aren't my favourite place to be." Her shudder was only slightly overdramatic. "So it's easier to be here with someone else."

"No worries." Becky's grip on her phone tightened just a fraction. "I wanted to get more information on cancer treatments so I can understand more of the information Richy sends me, so I'll go to Oncology while you're in with your dad. Just text me when you're done and I'll come meet you." That seemed safer than having Charlotte wander the halls for her and catching a glimpse of Hunter. "The cancer ward might not allow cell phone use," she added, "so I'll step out and check every ten minutes or so."

As soon as they neared the ICU, Charlotte slowed and gave Becky a hug that almost made her ribs creak. "Okay. If you don't reply right away, I'll head down to the food court and get some coffee." Without her make-up and hair extensions, she could be virtually unrecognizable to fans; Becky had most of her hair up in her slouchy knit cap, a pair of sunglasses at the ready.

"Have a good visit." Becky kissed her friend's cheek and turned the corner, ostensibly heading for the elevators. Instead she opened her messaging app and looked for messages from Hunter. I'm here. I need to stop by Oncology for my cover. Where are you? she sent.

Great minds, as they say. That's where I am. Sign in at the nursing station and they'll give you the room number. Hunter ended his message with an emoji of a coffee cup. That had been her meal request, essentially: good coffee. She and the others were spending so much time on the road that they didn't have much time to find good quality cafes.

Be right there. Becky already knew which floor—she made a point of figuring it out in case Charlotte questioned her cover story—and the elevator was mercifully empty.

"Are you Tracey?" a nurse asked as soon as she exited the elevator, taking Becky aback. That was her code name with Hunter, and she hadn't thought to ask if that's what she was supposed to give at the desk. She went with it, putting on a bit of an American accent to further disguise herself. "Your friend is in Room 478. It's the second door on your left. Don't worry: it's safe. Nothing's been used yet."

Becky wasn't sure what the nurse meant by that, but she guessed that 'Tracey' wouldn't need to ask, so she nodded her thanks and headed down the wide corridor. The door to 478 was closed, so she knocked once before trying the knob. "Come in." Hunter's authoritative voice was instantly recognizable.

So were the chemotherapy chairs Becky saw when she opened the door. There were eight in total, arranged in a semi-circle so patients could talk with each other, she supposed. So that's what the nurse meant, she thought grimly, taking a sharp breath. No worries about radiation. . . .

Hunter rose smoothly, his grimace looking genuine as he crossed the room to meet her. "Sorry. I know this is . . . not the visual you need at the moment. But it's not ready for use yet, so we won't have to worry about being interrupted. If it's too much," he added, patting her shoulder, "we can find somewhere else. . . ."

Becky shook her head. "No, this is fine." She focussed her gaze on the side table by the chair where Hunter had been sitting. Two large cups of coffee billowed out steam, and she saw a stack of brightly coloured papers under a pastry bag. "Thanks for the coffee. Hope it wasn't too much trouble." She took the chair on the other side of the table and grabbed the cup closest to her, taking an experimental sniff. Heaven, she thought, chancing a sip even though the coffee was clearly hot. What she could taste past the sheer heat of it was delicious—so much richer than what she had been getting at fast-food places and donut shops.