Read Online Christmas in Eternity Springs by Emily March - Free Book Online

rang, distracting him from his musings. He checked the number. “Hello, Brian. What’s up?”
    He expected to hear something about the day’s record sales—Brian loved talking about business winners—but something about the pause before his son’s grandfather spoke made the hackles rise on the back of Jax’s neck.
    â€œIt’s Nicholas. He’s at Seattle Children’s.”
    The hospital? Nicholas was at the hospital? Everything inside Jax went cold.
    â€œHe’ll be fine, but we’ll be here overnight.”
    â€œWhy?” Jax’s gaze flicked to the rearview mirror, and then he engaged the blinker and cut across two lanes of traffic in order to make the next exit and turn around.
    â€œThere was an incident at the therapist’s today. He’s been sedated.”
    â€œToday? His appointment is for tomorrow.”
    â€œWe moved it.”
    Jax ground his teeth. He had arranged his work schedule so he could take Nicholas to his therapy appointment.
    He bit back a caustic comment—he’d address the high-handed move later. “So what happened?”
    â€œShe tried hypnosis and—”
    â€œWithout my permission?” Jax shot his words like bullets.
    Brian drew in an audible breath, then spoke calmly. “Technically, his grandmother and I are his guardians of record at Dr. Meacham’s practice. You signed a power of attorney.”
    Well, that sure as hell is gonna change.
    â€œLinda and I discussed it with Dr. Meacham at length, and we agreed it was time. Nicholas hasn’t been progressing, and the Christmas season soon will be upon us.”
    Jax gripped the steering wheel so hard that his knuckles went white.
    Brian continued, “Actually, there wouldn’t have been a problem had Nicholas not hit his head upon coming out of it. The cut only needed five stitches, but you know head wounds bleed. The blood set off his panic attack.”
    Jax’s lips formed a silent curse fitting of his navy background before firing off a round of questions. “When did this happen? How long has he been out?”
    â€œThe appointment was at one-thirty this afternoon. We arrived at the hospital around two-fifteen or two-thirty. They tell us he’s not ‘out’ at this point, but sleeping.”
    â€œTwo-fifteen.” Jax held on to his temper by the thinnest of threads. It was after five. In a measured tone, he said, “You’re just now calling me?”
    â€œI knew your work schedule. Linda and I had it handled.”
    If Brian Hardcastle had been within arm’s reach, Jax would have decked him. “What room is Nicholas in?”
    â€œSeven twenty-one.”
    â€œIf he wakes up before I get there, please tell him I’m on my way.” Jax disconnected the call without waiting for a response from Brian. He stewed and broke the speed limit the rest of the way to the hospital. He parked illegally and didn’t give a damn.
    Getting to room 721 meant navigating a rabbit warren of hallways, and he took two frustratingly wrong turns before he found his way to his son’s room. The door was open. Jax stepped inside. His gaze zeroed in on the boy in the bed, and his heart broke. It split right in two.
    His little boy lay still and sleeping in the hospital bed, a big white bandage on his head and an IV hooked up to his arm. His complexion was pasty and pale. Vulnerable and younger than eight years old.
    A whale-sized lump lodged in Jax’s throat. When he finally looked up at Brian and Linda, it took every ounce of discipline he possessed to refrain from lashing out. The former naval officer managed a calm, even voice as he asked, “Did he wake up?”
    â€œNo,” Linda said, her gaze soft with love as she watched her grandson. “He’s been sleeping peacefully.”
    â€œI want to speak to his doctors.”
    â€œDr. Meachum has already visited tonight. She said she’ll be