Free Home Before Dark by Susan Wiggs

understand, I’m forty miles from you. Do you need some sort of permission for treatment or surgery or—” She paused, reeling against the stair rail. She couldn’t believe she was saying these things.
    â€œIt’s too early to say for certain, ma’am.” The nurse couldn’t give her any more information, so Luz hung up.
    What to do? What to do? She needed to get on the road. Now.
    For the first time in her life, Luz wished for a cellular phone. Ian had one for work, but Luz had never cared for them, electronic umbilical cords that made it impossible to hide, even when you wanted to. Now she would give anything for one. She wanted to be able to drive down the road and tell Ian what was going on as she hurtled through the night toward her daughter. Instead, helplessly pacing the floor, she had to call the Huntsville TraveLodge, where he stayed when one of his clients was down to the wire.
    Other attorneys’ wives had warned her for years, Never call your husband in the middle of the night when he’s away on a case. Death-row lawyers typically had any number of eager interns at their beck and call, and the ones with Ian’s looks had plenty of becking and calling options. Interns tended to be young, earnest, idealistic, dedicated…and horny. All this flashed through her mind as a hotel operator took forever to pick up, then ring Ian’s room.
    â€œMa’am, there’s no answer. Would you like to leave a message?”
    While she let the dog into the house, she spoke the unspeakable and left the name of the hospital. She rang off and alerted his pager. Then she tried his cell phone. He didn’t answer, so she left the same message on his voice mail. Damn you, Ian. Where the hell are you?
    She refused to think about that—about anything—except getting to Lila. Upstairs, she paused outside the boys’ room, opening the door a crack to assure herself of what she already knew—they were fast asleep. The sound of their breathing, the smell of their sleeping bodies, filled her.
    Jessie, she thought. Thank God she was here. She could look after the boys. Then Luz hesitated. Jessie didn’t have the first idea how to get a gang of boys off to school. She would have to take it on faith that her sister could figure things out. The boys knew the routine.
    Luz went outside, flung her giant purse into the car and started the engine. Leaving it idling, she made her way to Jessie’s cabin, nearly tripping several times in the dark. “Jessie,” she said, knocking at the door. “Jess, wake up.” She pushed the door open to find her sister emerging from the bedroom, blinking in sleepy confusion.
    â€œI’m sorry to wake you but something’s happened,” said Luz.
    The sleepiness sharpened to concern. “What?”
    â€œThere was a car wreck. Lila’s at the hospital. I need to get there right away.”
    Jessie’s face turned pale. “Lila!”
    â€œThey just called. Hillcrest Hospital. I’ve already left word for Ian, and I’m on my way there now.”
    â€œJesus. I can’t believe this is happening.” Jessie’s voice shook, and she clutched at the door frame. “A car wreck? But that can’t be. She—”
    â€œLook, Jess, the boys are still sound asleep in the house. I let Beaver in. Can you go over and stay with them?” Luz realized her mind was jumping around, out of control. She was having trouble focusing. “And if I’m not home soon, can you get them up around seven and give them some breakfast? The school bus picks up Owen and Wyatt at the top of the hill at seven forty-five. Would you—”
    â€œGo, for heaven’s sake.” With uncharacteristic bossiness, Jessie took charge. “Call me the second you know something.” Jessie gave her a hug, then pushed her toward the door. “I’ll take care of things.”
    Jessie’s words rang