Lena hugged her, and the normally strong Sofia shook with fear in her arms. “Mama, tell me what happened.”
“I don’t know, bella, they just said he was in an accident and for me to come straight away.”
Lena took the keys from her hand. Pull yourself together. She needs you. “Get in, I’m driving.” She drove past the café, seeing the puzzled look on the face of her waitress just getting out of her father’s car. There was nothing that Lena could do. Kenny would have to pass on her apologies for now and she could deal with the fall out tomorrow once she knew what was going on with her father. Her beloved Papa, the strongest and most reliable man she knew needed her more now than her café and workers did.
It was a fast trip into Mudgee and the hospital. They pulled into the first car park they could find and ran into the emergency room. Sofia had paled and Lena held her hand while asking for her father. They were told to take a seat and wait.
A nurses came out after a moment and called out. “Mrs. Hawkins?” Sofia stood up and hurried forward with Lena and Kyle beside her.
“How is my husband? Please tell me.”
The nurse put her hand on Sofia’s shoulder and spoke gently to her. “He had a nasty accident, but so far it looks worse than it probably is. The doctor’s with him now and you can come in if you promise me not to fall apart.” She smiled at Lena. “He’s being very brave, but we still have to send him down to x-ray. We think he has a broken arm.”
They followed through the door and into the emergency department, searching each cubicle they passed until they came to the one where Ben was lying on a bed covered in blood with an oxygen mask on his face.
Sofia gasped and Lena grabbed hold of her, her eyes filling with tears. Mama sagged and she was helped to a chair. “He’s going to be okay, Mama. Breath steady for a bit and we can see what the doctor has to say.”
“Mrs. Hawkins?”
Take over and get some answers. “That’s my mother. How is he, doctor?”
“Multiple lacerations, severe bruising, and a possible broken arm.” He picked up a patient chart and scribbled a few notes before looking at them again. “He was very lucky according to the first responders. It could have been a lot worse than it was.” The doctor reached down and took Ben’s pulse, keeping his gaze on the monitors above the bed.
He looks terrible. Don’t react, you’ll only scare Mama and Kyle. “Papa.” Lena reached out and took the hand lying limp on the bed. His hand was cold and smeared in blood from a cut on his arm. His eyes fluttered and closed again, a groan came from his throat as he turned his head.
“Careful there, Ben. I want you to keep as still as possible until we can get you to x-ray.” The doctor leaned closer to his face. “You’ve been in an accident, Ben, and you’re in the hospital. Your family is here.”
Sofia stood up and moved to the head of the bed. “Ben, I’m here. We’re all here. Do as the doctor says and rest. Everything is going to be alright.”
* * *
Adam saw the cars arriving and Lena’s young waitresses getting out. She’d been lucky when they’d offered to help at the school fundraiser and show interest in working for her when she started up the café. Raised voices reached his ears and he stood and watched, his senses on alert. When he saw the girls get back inside the cars and drive off, he hurried down the race toward the back door.
Kenny stood at the wait station, an angry man yelling at him about a booking he’d made.
Poor kid, wonder why Lena isn’t dealing with this. “What seems to be the problem here?” Adam rested a hand on the young kitchen hand’s shoulder and faced the angry patron.
“I’ll tell you what the problem is. I made a booking and expect to be fed, end of story.”
“I have to lock up, Lena said.” Kenny took a step back, looking at Adam for protection from the man glaring at him.
“Why, tell me what’s going on.”
“Kyle came running in saying her dad had been hurt in an accident and—”
Adam grabbed the man standing in front of him and pushed him out the door. “Get out now.”
“But, you can’t do this, I have a booking and I demand to be fed.”
Remain calm, Adam. “Tough luck pal, family comes first.” Adam slammed the door on him and ignored the thumping on the door. He turned to the kitchen hand. “Tell me exactly what happened.” And fast.
“Just as I said. We were prepping for dinner and Kyle came running in saying his grandfather had been in an accident. Lena told me to call the girls and tell them not to come in but it was too late, they were already on their way. She wanted me to lock up too.”
Right, first things first. “Do you need a ride home?”
“Nah, I have my scooter. It’s okay.”
“Good. Lock up while I go and get something from the house and then I’m following you into town. Give me five minutes.”
Adam ran out the back door and down to the house. He fed Spencer and grabbed his wallet, phone, and car keys and drove back up to the restaurant. The grumbling diner had gone and he breathed a sigh of relief. When he tooted the car horn, Kenny came out and pulled the door shut behind him.
“Tell Lena I hope her dad’s okay.” The young man pulled on his helmet and headed over to his scooter that was parked along the fence line.
Adam watched the road in all directions as he followed Kenny back into town. They parted ways with a toot and a wave. Adam put his foot
