Chapter 4

Hours passed, and the wait became nerve-wracking. When they finally got word, it was to hear that Yvette was in a coma in ICU. Only time would tell what the lack of oxygen did to her. For the time being, no one was allowed in unless they were staff or family. Sam didn't sleep, couldn't sleep, and watched the sun rise from the waiting room window. Normally he enjoyed this time, because it was beautiful proof that he'd survived to fight another day. He couldn't help but think about that fateful morning he went fishing. If he hadn't gone on a whim, he wouldn't have been there to save Yvette, only to drag her into more danger and leave her life barely hanging on. Then he realized that if he hadn't been there two months ago, she would have died that day and he never would have had the chance to ever get to know her. He closed his eyes and pressed his forehead into the arm that rested against the window frame. Every moment they spent together replayed in his mind. With each one, he became more and more aware of how much she meant to him...how much he loved her. But she was so sweet, and despite her years, innocent when it came to dealing with men. Despite his edge when it came to experience, sometimes he felt she was out of his league altogether, but yet, somehow, she clung to him and loved him for who he was.

He wasn't used to this. His taste in women usually ran to the rich and sexy, and nothing else mattered. Yvette attracted him in other ways. Yes, she was beautiful, but there was so much more to her, and he loved every bit of it. The one thing that really stuck out was her strength. Despite all she'd been through, she managed to kick some major butt on that boat. She needed to tap into that strength now to pull through, because the prospect of losing her forever caused a deep dark fear to grip his heart and not let it go, and he was helpless to do anything about it.

"Sam, you should really try to get some sleep." Jesse spoke softly, so as not to startle him.

"I can't, Jesse. I..." He shook his head. "Never mind. I can't sleep until I know she's okay."

"I get it, man. Really, I do. It might be a long time before we know she's out of the woods. What are you gonna do until then, kill yourself through a lack of sleep?"

He turned and faced Jesse, his eyes clouded with emotions so deep, Jesse had to take a step back. "I know, you're right. But...I've gotta do something."

"There's nothing you can do. Nothing any of us can do but hope and pray she's gonna be okay."

"No, there's something I have to do. Can I borrow your phone?"

"Sure." Jesse handed his phone to him without hesitation.

Sam immediately headed for the hallway. "I'll bring it back when I'm done."

"Sure, take your time."

He left the room so quickly, he nearly collided with Maddie as she returned with a coffee. She grinned at him and said, "Morning, Sam! Want some coff..." She trailed off as he passed without even acknowledging her, and she shook her head in pity. "What's up with him? He didn't get...bad...news about Yvette, did he?"

"No Ma, there's been nothing, good or bad." Michael stifled a yawn. He and Fiona dozed now and then on the comfortable couch in the family lounge, but neither of them got any quality rest. He stretched and stood. "I really hate to do this, but I've got to get to the office and see what Pearce has on a potential case." He stopped, noted the disgusted look on his mother's face, and continued. "Ma, Sam knows I'll be thinking about him and Yvette while I'm gone. This'll only take an hour or two, and I'll be back."

"You better be. Your friend needs you right now."

About an hour later, Sam returned to the waiting area still looking tired, but Maddie detected an urgent desire in his eyes. She wondered what about a phone call could bring that spark to Sam's spirit.

"Hey, where's Mikey?"

"He had to go to the office," Maddie replied with ice in her tone. "I told him he better come back soon. He's needed here."

Sam nodded. "Thanks, Maddie. I need to make a road trip."

"What?"

"What are you talking about, a road trip?" Fiona stood and approached him. "You need to stay here!"

"No Fi, there's something I gotta do. It's been going on for far too long, and until this all happened, I was just cruising along, leaving this in the past and thinking it would never haunt me again." He paused and swallowed. "But I was wrong. I've gotta get it done."

"What are you talkin' about, Sam?" Jesse stood with hands on hips, a puzzled expression on his face.

"I found Amanda." A rueful smile crossed his face. "It wasn't that hard, really, once I called my buddy in Houston. He tracked her down with a couple keystrokes, and he knows someone who can write up some simple divorce papers. So I just need to get to Houston, sign 'em, and get Amanda to sign them. Then it'll be over in just a few months, once it goes through the court system."

"What? What made you decide to do this now?" Madelyn asked.

"He's in love, Maddie." Fiona grinned proudly at Sam. "And this time, it's for real."

Sam gave her a grateful smile. She understood the power of deep feelings, and by her approval, she acknowledged his. That meant a lot to him.

Maddie asked, "How are you getting there?"

"I'll fly. It'll be easier that way, but I won't be leaving for a couple days yet. The lawyer is working on the papers."

Fiona shook her head. "But why don't you just have them serve her the papers, and she can sign and mail them back? It seems like it would be so much easier."

"No. I don't know why, but I have to see her. I guess there are a few things I want to say, and maybe hear what she's got to say to me before it's all over. I know it's crazy. We haven't seen each other for what, 20 years?" He raised a hand as if he were pushing those years aside. "I don't know how long. It's just that it's been far too long that this has been hanging over me." It cost him at least one potential relationship already. This one was too valuable to squander on a technicality.

"Hey, if you need someone to go with you, I'd be happy to," Jesse volunteered and laid a hand on Sam's shoulder. "I'll be right there with you, man."

"I appreciate it, Jesse. But this is something I have to do alone."

Maddie didn't like it that in a couple days Sam was jetting off to Houston alone when he was still suffering over Yvette and her precarious position between life and death. She hated to think how he would react if she died while he was gone. It was a foolhardy mission, but when Sam got something into his head, there was no way anyone could talk him out of it. So she let him go with a motherly hug and kiss, and lots of advice. Every second he was gone, she would worry as if he were her own son.