I Know Who Holds Tomorrow by Francis Ray Page B

Madison.”
    â€œThanks.” The handshake was firm. Gordon’s attention went back to Madison. “If you need anything, don’t think, just call.”
    On tiptoes, she hugged him. “Thanks.” Then he was gone too.
    She glanced at Wes’s parents, who were sitting at opposite ends on the velvet couch. Madison felt a separation from her in-laws even greater than simply being across the room. Wes wasn’t there so they didn’t have to feign liking or accepting her. They simply ignored her. A wave of unexpected loneliness hit her.
    â€œYou’re not alone. I’m here.”
    Madison’s gaze shot up to Zachary. She wouldn’t have thought him perceptive, but it appeared she had been wrong. The tension in her shoulders relaxed a little. “Thank you for staying, but you have a business to run.”
    â€œMy people can work without me standing over them,” he told her easily. “Besides, even if I left, my mind would be here and I’d probably mess up anything I touched. Considering I was supposed to help frame today, I better stay here.”
    She studied him a long time before she said, “I didn’t know you two were this close.”
    Zachary shrugged. “We traveled in different circles and both of us have
crazy schedules so we didn’t see each other as much as we once did, but we always knew we could count on each other,” Zachary explained. “If it was me in ICU and I had a wife, I’d expect Wes to be there with her.”
    Only if it was convenient for him , Madison thought, then felt ashamed. Wes was fighting for his life. “I’m glad he has you for a friend.”
    â€œCall your family, then we’ll go see Manda and grab a bite,” Zachary said.
    Madison went to call. Somehow she knew without asking that Wes’s parents hadn’t included her or Zachary when they ordered their food.

FIVE
    M ADISON HEARD THE CRYING the instant the elevator door slid open on the third floor of Children’s Medical Center. The cries were desolate and desperate. Pity swept through her. No child should ever sound that way. With each step down the brightly colored hallway decorated with rainbows and cartoon characters, the cries increased in volume and distress.
    Zachary’s fingers flexed on Madison’s arm. “I hope that’s not Manda.”
    â€œIf it is, she sounds heartbroken,” Madison said, quickening her pace.
    Three doors from the nurse’s station Zachary pushed open the door to the room the cries were coming from. Madison entered first and saw a nurse in a Disney-print smock trying to soothe the fretful baby in her arms. Madison’s heart went out to the inconsolable dark-haired infant.
    â€œDon’t cry,” Zachary said, arms reaching.
    The infant hiccuped and fastened tear-filled eyes on Zachary. He plucked the infant from the arms of the nurse and hugged her to his wide chest. “It’s all right. You’re all right.”
    The infant hiccuped again, then quieted.
    â€œYou certainly have a way with children,” Madison told him as she moved closer.
    Zachary gave an offhand shrug, his gaze not quite meeting hers. “I have a lot of friends with children. They like me, but in this case it’s probably more of a familiar face.” He spoke to the nurse. “You just come on duty?”
    â€œAbout an hour ago,” she confirmed. “Are you relatives?”
    Madison bit her lips before answering. “My husband was injured trying to help her mother. I hope it’s all right to be here.”
    The young nurse’s eyes rounded in recognition, her mouth opened, then
she shut it abruptly. “Mrs. Reed, I’m sorry to hear about your husband, but Dr. London is the best.”
    â€œThank you.” Madison rubbed her hand over the thick, curly black hair of the chubby infant whose cried had dwindled to sniffles, then glanced around the room.
    Why