2. Chapter 2
Chapter two
Ivy
“Let’s talk out in the hall so we don’t wake him,” my mom whispers in my ear.
“I’ll stay with him.” Cooper places a kiss on my mom’s head before taking a seat in the blue chair next to dad's bed.
When we close the door behind us, my mother lets out a compressed sob.
“I thought we were going to lose him,” she admits.
Her painful cry splits my already marred heart farther in two. “He’s ok mom.”
She lets out a breath, her hands shaking as she reaches for mine. “Situation aside. I’m so glad you’re here, sweetheart.” Her hands squeeze. “I missed you.”
Damn this place. I’ve been here all of five minutes and I'm on the verge of torrential tears. “I missed you too, mom.”
I have missed her. Missed my brother’s, my best friends, my home. But sometimes it’s not enough to erase the pain.
“What did the doctor say?” I ask.
Her blonde hair is swept back, her eyes shining as she sniffs. “We’re waiting for him to come back. They did another CT scan. We are hoping for no swelling or bleeding on the brain.”
My father was a pillar of this community. Our family was known for generations of hard-working ranchers. I don’t think the man had been to a doctor’s office in his entire life. Honestly, when he wakes up, I feel sorry for the nurses and hospital staff. The only person to ever check him out for any ranch related injuries was Dr. Palmer, our vet.
“He’s strong, mom,” I remind her.
“I know.” She glances up, blinking her eyes. “Lord knows he’s as stubborn as an ox.”
I let a slight chuckle slip past my lips at the fact that she still held her sense of humor.
“How was the drive? You must be tired.”
Of course she’s worried about me. Not the fact our lively hood could be completely destroyed.
“Don’t worry about me. How are you doing? What do you need?” I ask, my gaze meeting hers.
“I’m ok.” She flicks her hand over her shirt. “I don’t need much. My kids all in one place and your father healthy is all I need.”
Her arms reach out for me again, tugging me close as she sways us side to side. “Thank you.”
I nod, unable to form words.
“Why don’t you go check on your brother.” She tilts her head in the direction of the waiting room.
“I don’t think Ryder wants to talk to me.” I fiddle with the hem of my shirt. “He’s angry.”
She rolls her eyes. “He’ll get over it. You know how he is. Anger is his choice of emotion when he doesn’t know how to sort out his feelings.”
Typical man.
“I’ll let you know when the doctor gives us an update," she offers.
“Ok.”
With one more squeeze, she opens the door, speaking in a low voice to Cooper. Breathing out the heavy emotions twisting inside of me, I make my way back to the waiting room. Ryder sits in the corner, his broad frame almost too big for the chair. Like Cooper, it’s clear they were in the middle of the turmoil. He’s covered in residue as well, his worn hat resting low on his head, covering his eyes.
Taking a seat next to him, I peek out of the corner of my eye, but he doesn’t move, nor does he speak right away. I’m not sure if he’s asleep, or just ignoring me, but my question is answered when he rumbles from beneath his hat.
“That seat is taken.”
Home sweet home.