|
|
|
|
|
|
|
She understood his pain now. If she'd lost Christian today, she might have ended up living the same bitter existence her father had led. Sure, he'd withdrawn from life in a cowardly and selfish fashion. But right now D.J. couldn't swear she would be able to behave any better if Christian were to be taken from her. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dan led her a few short steps and helped her onto a chair next to the bed. "McCall, the sheriff wants to talk to you outside." With a last awkward pat on her shoulder, Danny left the cabin. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chris took his place. He put his hands on her shoulders. She stared at her father's still, gray face and tried not to cry. "I love you, D.J." Chris whispered in her ear. "We have a lifetime ahead of us, right outside that door. I'll be waiting, as soon as you're ready to join me." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
She nodded, unable to speak. Chris would be there for her; she knew that in her heart, where it mattered. Right now she had to close another door of her life. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chris left. She could hear the three men speaking in low-voiced murmurs on the porch. Scooting her chair closer to the bed, D.J. took her father's hand into hers and leaned forward. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Dad?" Not even a flicker of his eyelids showed he might have heard her. His chest continued to rise and fall, though his skin had cooled to a temperature even lower than D.J.'s own. She'd read hearing was the last sense to leave a dying soul. If that was the case, then he could still hear her, despite his lack of response. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"I understand now, Dad. Why you were so mis- |
|
|
|
|
|