Chapter 43
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
The bright hospital lights over Noah’s bed made his head pound. This was taking forever. “Can’t you just sew it up?”
“It’s not that simple,” the nurse said. “We have to be careful with head wounds. And gunshot wounds.”
He winced as she pulled debris or something out of his wound, then dabbed antiseptic, the chemical burn nothing compared to the thundering in his skull.
“It just grazed me.”
“Mmm.” Her lips pinched closed as she tortured him a little more. “You’re lucky. Half an inch to the right, and we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Or any conversation.”
“Not lucky. Blessed. God protected me.”
Her eyes narrowed like she wasn’t sure about that.
Through the open door, voices drifted from somewhere nearby—Delaney’s gentle tone, Jasper’s deeper one, and a woman’s voice he didn’t recognize.
When the nurse turned away, he sat up. Maybe not the smartest move. His vision swam.
She must’ve heard because she turned back. “Lie down, Mr. Aylett. The doctor will be here to examine you, and then we’ll close that wound.”
He pushed to his feet and stood still through a wave of dizziness.
“Sir, sit down.”
“I’ll be right back. I need to check on my…daughter.”
Wasn’t technically true, but she didn’t know that.
He stepped into the hall and made his way toward his family’s voices. He found them around the corner and in a small exam space, crowded around a bed.
Charlotte lay curled on her side, thumb in her mouth. Her eyes were closed.
Delaney stood beside her, one hand resting protectively on her shoulder.
Jasper stood just inside the door, arms crossed, his face drawn with exhaustion. He shifted when he saw Noah, making room for him.
A middle-aged nurse with graying hair gave Noah a disapproving look, then continued to address Jasper. “The long-term effects of trauma can be devastating if they’re not dealt with properly. Children Charlotte’s age are particularly vulnerable. Night terrors, regression, trust issues.”
“She’s already seeing a therapist,” Delaney said.
The nurse’s expression brightened. “Oh, that’s good to hear. Consistency is key, especially after an event like this.” She made a note on her clipboard, then looked at Jasper with approval. “You’re doing the right thing, getting her professional help.”
Jasper nodded, but Noah didn’t miss the way his jaw tightened.
“I just need to go over these instructions, and you can take her home.”
Jasper heaved a sigh from deep inside. “You need to tell him.” Jasper tipped his head toward Noah, his voice rough. “He’s her father.”
The nurse looked confused, glancing between Jasper and the clipboard in her hand. “I was told—”
“He’s her father. I’m just…not.” He swallowed hard, arms tightening across his midsection as if he were holding himself together.
Noah wanted to celebrate what those words meant, but more important right now was acknowledging the sacrifice Jasper was making.
His daughter. His beautiful, precious daughter. Jasper hadn’t figured out how amazing she was until it was too late.
Noah thumped Jasper on the back, wanting to pull him close like he would have the much younger, skinnier version. But the grown man beside him wouldn’t appreciate that.
He angled away, then ducked out the door and disappeared.
Delaney watched where he’d gone. Her gaze found Noah’s, and she smiled shyly.
Then she must’ve really seen him because she straightened. “What are you doing? You need to sit.”
“I just wanted to make sure Charlotte’s okay.”
“She’ll be a lot better if her uncle…” She paused. Her lips lifted in a slight smile. “Her father doesn’t bleed to death. Come on.” She urged him out of Charlotte’s room and back to his own. “Do I need to sit in there with you to make sure you stay put?”
He did his best to hide his wave of dizziness. “No, ma’am.”
When they entered his room, the nurse sent him a scathing look.
“My daughter’s fine. Thanks for asking.”
“Of course she is. I’ll get the doctor. You stay put.” She marched out.
Delaney watched her go. “She seems sweet.”
“Oh, yeah. Regular Florence Nightingale.”
The words were still hanging in the air when the door opened again. He hoped the nurse hadn’t heard his remark. She already disliked him.
But it was… Noah couldn’t think of his name. The only one that came to mind was his sarcastic moniker for the guy who was way too interested in Charlotte’s nanny. Dr. Dreamy.
“How’re we doing, Mr…” His words trailed as he caught sight of Delaney. “Oh. Hey.”
“Hey, Ethan.”
The doctor finally looked at Noah, and the smile that had filled his face faded. “They said it was a gunshot wound.” His gaze flicked back to Delaney. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
But he moved closer, eyeing the bandage on her head. “What happened?”
“Just a little cut. It’s Noah—”
“Right. Sorry.” He turned back to Noah and examined the wound. “You want to tell me what happened?”
“Not really.” Noah was too tired to be nice, so he figured he’d better just be quiet.
“It’s a long story,” Delaney said.
“I bet.” The doctor hummed low, then stepped back. “Looks like Nurse Nightingale did a good job cleaning it.”
A chuckle bubbled from Noah’s lips. “Sorry about that.”
“I’ve met her. You’re good.”
Noah couldn’t help but like this guy. And it was easier now that he knew which one of them Delaney loved.
“It’s not that deep,” Ethan said. “No need for a CT scan. I just need to close it up.” He turned to Delaney. “Why don’t you go check on Charlotte?”
“Uh…” She looked at Noah. “You want me to stay?”
The doctor gave him a look that told him what the answer should be.
“I’m good. Go sit with her.”
“I’ll get you when we’re done,” Ethan said.
Delaney walked out, and the doctor found a tool that looked suspiciously like a stapler.
“It’ll hurt, but not as much as getting shot.”
“Why doesn’t that make me feel better?”
Ten minutes later, Noah wished he could have a turn with the stapler and the doctor’s skull. But the wound was closed, so he ground out a thank-you before the man left.
Delaney returned a few seconds later and held his hand, gaze skimming his face. “That looks painful.”
“It’s just a flesh wound, which I keep telling them, but they’re acting like I was—”
“Shot?”
He’d laugh, but it hurt too much. “I’m just saying…”
She bent and kissed him on the forehead. “You’re going to be okay. I’ll take care of Charlotte until you’re a hundred percent.”
“You’re the best.”
“I try.”
She started to walk away, but he caught her hand and pulled her back. “Seriously. You saved her life.”
“Not me. My cousin Michael and my sister Alyssa found her. They—”
“You were there. You found her. You saved her.”
“So did you. So did Jasper.”
He nodded. That was true. But if not for Delaney, he didn’t know what would have happened.
Truth was, if not for Delaney, Charlotte wouldn’t be the open, happy kid she was today. Delaney had saved her long before tonight.
“You’re a wonder.”
Her short laugh seemed uncomfortable. “I don’t know—”
“I do. I don’t deserve you. Obviously.”
“That’s not—”
“Let me finish, please.” Because he was losing focus, and he needed to say this. “You’re amazing, and you’re so good with Charlotte. I love you because…” A thousand reasons that he couldn’t seem to vocalize. “You’re everything I want.”
Her eyes widened. “You’ve lost a lot of blood.” She was half kidding, but only half. Like she wasn’t sure if she should believe him.
“I know what I’m saying.” Though his words were slurring, and he wasn’t saying anything well. He had lost a lot of blood, and the walk across the ER had taken too much out of him. “I love you. That’s all. I just…love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Okay, then. It’s settled.” He wasn’t sure exactly what was settled, but it felt right. Complete. Whatever that meant.
His eyes closed, but he pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Take her home. Jaz can drive me when I’m done.”
“Are you sure?”
“Mmm. Yes.” Darkness was closing in. He was so tired, and his head was spinning.
The soft brush of her lips on his was the last thing he felt before he drifted to sleep.