Chapter 47 Just bitching
Just bitching
Oliver
“Why the hell not?” I snap at the sheriff. “That mother fucker attacked us. I know he’s behind this, he needs arrested!”
Wade takes a deep breath, holding up a palm. “We’re still gathering evidence—”
“You pulled it all out of my ass,” I hiss. “Every scrap of metal from where he tried to kill us!” I might still be stuck in the hospital, but I’m feeling better everyday.
Just about well enough to go home and start hunting for that son of a bitch.
His russet eyebrows drop and his wide jaw clenches. “There’s a lot going on that you aren’t at liberty to know.”
Anger rages through me. “Yea, you’ve always been great at keeping shitty people secret, huh?” I hate that this asshole was screwing my ex-wife, and now he’s in charge of finding the person who hurt Sophia.
I really must have messed up in a past life to have this kind of damn karma.
“It isn’t like that, Oliver.” Wade stands and adjusts his Stetson. “I guess that means you’re healing. I’ll let you know if I have more questions.” He stuffs his notebook into his pocket. “Fuck these hospital interviews,” he mutters as he leaves.
I’m so pissed I could spit nails.
The door barely closes before it’s pushed open again.
This time, it’s my beautiful wife coming in. I can feel my mood immediately lighten.
“So, that went well?” She squints one pretty blue eye at me, glancing towards the hall.
“He has nothing. Came in just to ask the same damn things.” I reach for her, beckoning her to the hospital bed.
Now that I’m not in the ICU, she’s been able to crawl in with me with a lot less hassle.
She snuggles into my side, still moving delicately around the gauze. “A little birdy told me that you’re getting discharged today.”
“That’s the best news I’ve heard in weeks. Brent’s holding things together, but it’s hard to run a business from a hospital room.” I try not to wince when I wrap my arm around her.
I’m looking forward to getting all these damn stitches out.
Shit, I am just generally being cranky today.
“I miss our home, being in it with you.” I let my voice soften and press my nose and lips against her lavender scented hair.
“Me too.” Her fingers wind with mine and her thumb rubs over my wedding band. “I’m worried Cade’s going to try again. I can’t lose you, Ollie.”
“I’ll be fine. I have too much scar tissue now for him to hurt me.” I try to laugh, but it still hurts.
“Dad offered that we could stay there at the ranch until you’re healthy?” She shifts to look up and fix me with those big blue eyes. “We could have my old room. Well, it’s all fixed back up now, thanks to you.”
It would certainly make things easier. Extra people to keep her safe while I recuperate.
“Yea, okay.” My jaw works knowing I’m a damn burden.
Her palm cups my cheek, almost like she knows what I’m thinking. “He’s trying to talk Sawyer into moving into one of the extra houses on the ranch until his is ready. I think Dad is rattled too.”
When I think about how close I came to losing Sophia, it makes me want to build us a fucking bunker and never leave.
I understand Mason’s thought process. He’s bringing everyone he cares for close enough to keep an eye on them.
It makes me grateful that there’s a network like that in place. If I had to leave Soph at home, alone, I’d be a fucking wreck every single time.
This way I know she’ll have people that love her keeping watch.
The soft knock at the door comes seconds before the nurse enters, smiling as she waves a handful of papers.
I can’t sign them fast enough.
Walking stiffly down the hall, I clutch Sophia’s fingers as I finally step outside.
Almost three weeks of being locked inside this building has me blinking rapidly against the early summer sun.
“I dropped the seat back as far as it would go.” Sophia holds the passenger door of her SUV for me.
“There’s something really wrong about this,” I grumble as I slowly lift my leg inside.
The wounds on the back of my thighs and ass cheeks are the most tender. I’m looking forward to laying face down on a mattress spread-eagled for a while.
“I’m sure the roles will be reversed in just a few months.” She smiles as she pats her growing baby bump.
“It is a fucking crime that I haven’t been able to be naked in bed with my wife since we got married.” My palm rests on her leg as she drives us to Black Gulch.
Her hand covers my knuckles. “Ollie, it’s a miracle you survived. Every moment I get with you, clothes or not, is special.”
When she glances at me, I catch the glint of sun refracting through her tears.
She’s right. I have a second chance on life, and I’m just bitching.
Taking a deep breath, I let my head fall against the seat rest. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m just…angry.”
Her grip over my wrist tightens. “I know. Me too. I just wish someone would find him. Stop all of this. It’s been going on for years. I hate that you were hurt by my family.” Her chin quivers as she stares out the windshield.
“Hey, this is not your fault.” I’m such an ass, spouting off about shit I can’t control. “It’s like he’s one of those over the top fucking villains from a shitty novel.”
She nods, chewing on her bottom lip. “So over the top, no one would believe it if it was fiction.” Her mouth pulls when she glances at me. “I hate that we’re having to suffer through it in real life.”
I won’t tell her that I plan on getting with her dad and uncle to figure out how to put an end to their piece of shit brother. But that’s for a later time.
“Well, the most important part is that we’re doing it together. Do you know how excited I am to get to hold you without tubes and wires?” And to be able to lie down. My back is killing me.
“Me too. It’s just not the same when there’s nurses coming in every few hours.” The corner of her cheek lifts in a slow smile. “Tell Brent he’s still in charge. I’m keeping you to myself for a while.”
All of the tension melts out of my limbs as she pulls into the driveway of the ranch. “That I can do, baby. I’m all yours.”