Lodged (Kinsmen Billionaires #2)

21. Chapter 21

Chapter 21

River MacAllister

N ight has fallen, and there’s no update on Ruin’s whereabouts. I scratch my beard as I think of where she could be. I’ve called all of my contacts around town, and no one has seen her. It’s not like her to go out and not let any of us know if she’s going to stay out longer. I don’t want to bring it up with the family because I don’t want them to call me obsessive and crazy. Again . I had enough of that when Dad’s accident happened. “Oh, River, it was an accident. That doesn’t mean we all are going to have accidents, too.” I remember Miles saying as I checked his car brakes. I did it for all of my siblings every day for a year after Dad’s passing.

Mama and Granny had to give up on driving because there’s no way I’d let them drive by themselves anymore. And since Merlin was just starting high school, I’d drop him off and pick him up. I became their chauffeur, and although it was exhausting to do it on top of the orchard chores, it was the only way I felt good enough with myself to sleep at night.

“What’s the matter, son?” Mama asks as she pats my cheek with her warm and soft hand. I smile at her as I release a deep breath.

“It’s about Ruin, isn’t it?” My shoulders sag in defeat as I bow my head.

“Yes, Mama. I’m freaking out. She’s not back yet, and it’s snowing again.” Mama makes small, soothing circles on my back as she takes a seat next to me.

“Oh, River. You need to let your guilt go, son. We all miss your father every day. I’ll love him until I breathe my last breath, but life goes on. We can’t let guilt and remorse take place in our hearts.” Mama says it with such tenderness that I start to cry.

“It was my fault, Mama. He asked me to help him check the brakes, and I did a crappy job.” I cry harder as the memory of Dad giving me a thank-you hug before climbing into his truck hits me with a truckload of guilt.

“I was married to your father for twenty-five years and dated him five years before that. There’s no doubt in my mind that he never thought—not even for a second—that the accident was your fault. He loved you so much, River. He loved your siblings as well, of course. But you, River, were his little buddy ever since you were born.” Mama hugs me, and I cry on her shoulder, letting her words comfort me. It’s not the first time she’s said them. We’ve had many conversations like this since Dad passed away, but I’m starting to think I’ll never hear them enough.

“Thanks, Mama,” I say, wiping my face and giving her a wobbly smile.

“Any time, son.” She kisses the top of my head and gets up to help Granny, who’s calling for her.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and a cold shiver runs down my spine. It’s an unknown number, but something tells me I need to pick it up.

“Hello?” I say, silently praying that this phone call isn’t about Ruin.

“Is this River MacAllister?”

Fuck . Here we go.

“Yes, this is him.”

“We found your information listed as Ruin MacAllister’s emergency contact. She had a car accident and has been admitted to Highlands Regional Hospital in Asheville.”

“I’m on my way,” I say and disconnect the call. “Fuck!” I yell so loud, I feel the house shaking underneath my feet.

Miles and Merlin come rushing into the studio, eyes wild—a mix of curiosity and panic in their gazes.

“Ruin was in an accident,” I say, passing by them on my way to the mud room to put my boots and jacket on.

“What? What do you mean?” Merlin asks, pulling his hair and walking in circles. Miles is nowhere to be seen—I’m sure he’s in shock.

“What’s going on?” Rain and Mama come in next. Mama has a hand on her chest, and I don’t want to look her in the eyes and tell her that I was right. That Ruin is in a fucking hospital.

“Ruin is in the hospital,” Merlin says out loud, and I hear Mama’s painful sob before she collapses. Merlin and Rain hurry to help her as I silently wipe a tear off my face. I need to put on my big brother hat and go check on Ruin.

“I’m coming with you.” Rain gets up from the floor, and Merlin carries Mama to the living room.

“The hell you will. I need you here, taking care of Mama and Miles. I think he’s in shock.” Rain grabs my arm and directs her sharp gaze to me.

“And I have to take care of them because I’m a woman? Fuck that, Ruin is my twin. Merlin can take care of them.” I sigh, knowing there’s no way I’ll make Rain change her mind. She and Ruin have that spiritual twin bond that’s beyond comprehension.

“Fine, hurry up,” I tell her as she gives me a grateful smile. I head to the studio, looking for Miles, but he’s not there anymore. I check the kitchen next and find him preparing the kettle for some tea.

“Rain is coming with me. Please take care of Mama.” Miles nods, and I head toward the door.

“River,” Miles calls me back. When I turn around, he has a sad smile on his face. “Be safe.”

I give him a smile and a nod in return.

Rain is waiting for me by the door. We’re both quiet, nervous energy surrounding us.

“How bad is it?” Rain breaks the silence as we make it to the interstate. Her voice is laced with panic.

“Not sure. They only said she had been in a car accident.” I don’t tell her I’m assuming it was bad since it was a medical worker who called instead of Ruin herself.

“Do you think she was with that boyfriend of hers?” I ask through clenched teeth. I’d fucking kill that bastard if he’s the reason my sister is in the hospital.

“No. As far as I know, he’s overseas visiting his family. Ruin went to Pine Shores to look for a souvenir for him since she’s planning to head back to campus right after New Year’s,” Rain says, and my anger toward the boyfriend turns into sympathy.

I wonder if Rain has a way to communicate with him. If he truly loves Ruin as she says he does, I’m sure he’d like to know she's been in an accident.

Rain and I remain quiet the rest of the drive. When we pass by Pine Shores, we notice tire stains on the ground, and a huge area of the forest has been cleared—the site of Ruin’s accident. I inhale a sharp breath as I see Rain’s eyes misting up. It’s a miracle Ruin is still alive.

As soon as we arrive at the hospital, Rain and I rush to the emergency room.

“We’re Ruin MacAllister’s siblings,” I say to a nurse who’s behind the information desk. She looks at me over her glasses and types something on her computer. Rain starts tapping the desk, the telltale sign she’s getting anxious.

“She’s in the intensive care unit. I’m paging Dr. Davies. He’ll come to speak with you shortly.”

I murmur a thanks as I guide Rain toward the sitting room. I motion for her to take a seat, but she shakes her head. We’re both restless.

As I look around the waiting room, there’s not too many people. Which could be a good thing, meaning the doctors can give their full attention to Ruin.

A man who looks like he’s in his mid-forties approaches me with a tight smile on his face.

“Dr. Davies,” I greet him as I extend my hand. We shake hands, and he clears his throat. Rain grabs my arm, bracing to hear whatever the doctor has to say next.

“Are you River MacAllister?” I nod, and he opens his tablet.

“Your sister, Ruin, is under my care. She was brought by an ambulance after the fire department spent a couple of hours chainsawing her out of her car.” I inhale a deep breath as I feel Rain clawing her nails in my arm. “From what they can tell, her brakes failed, and she was on the wrong side of the road when an eighteen-wheeler appeared. There was black ice on the road, and she couldn’t stop. Her car got hit by the truck and went down the mountain.” The doctor falls silent, and from the corner of my eye, I notice Rain trying to keep her tears from spilling over.

“How is she? Can we see her?” Rain asks, almost in a whisper.

“Unfortunately, Ruin is unconscious at the moment. We had to induce a coma to help her heal faster. She has several broken bones, and her brain is significantly swollen. She’s lucky she’s still alive.” Rain can’t hold her tears any longer, and she buries her face in my chest. I take a couple of deep breaths, clenching my jaw as I think about what to do or even say next.

“I suggest you both go home and come back in the morning. There’s no telling when Ruin will wake up.”

“No. We’re spending the night here,” I tell him, and Rain nods in agreement. Dr. Davies nods, and we shake hands.

I pull Rain into a tight hug. I need to be strong for my family and call Mama to tell her what happened to Ruin.