Chapter 18
Duke laid a card on the growing pile on the narrow table that swung over Heather’s lap. “Uno! I’m finally going to win a hand.”
Heather rolled her eyes. “I don’t have any green or a seven. How’s that possible? I swear I’m holding half the deck.”
Suzy grimaced, but the humor in her eyes told him what she was about to do. “Draw four, and I pick red. Oh, and Uno.” She wiggled the last card she held.
He growled but picked up four cards. “I know you’re cheating, just like with Mario Party. I don’t know how you’re doing it, but I promise I’ll figure it out.”
Her grimace morphed into a grin. “Such a sore loser.”
“He’s always been like that.” Heather placed a card on the pile.
Suzy threw down her last card and shrugged. “I can’t help it. I’ve been blessed by the game gods. I must have done something very good in my life to deserve to be a winner all the time.”
Chuckling, Duke gathered the deck and put it back in the case. “I’ve had enough losing for one day. How are you feeling Heather? Is your head okay?”
She sighed and rested back against her pillow. “Still hurts but not as bad as before. I’m restless. Ready to get out of this bed. I wish they’d give me another CT this evening and let me out instead of waiting until the morning.”
“Maybe a visit from your mama will make you feel better.”
The sound of his mother’s voice shot Duke to his feet. The sight of her standing in the doorway with her suitcase beside her lifted a weight he didn’t know existed from his shoulders. He crossed the room in three strides and engulfed her in his arms.
She squeezed him tight. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”
“And you’re prettier than ever.” He kissed her cheek then took a step back. “Did you cut your hair?”
She smoothed her hand over the gray-colored bob, the wrinkles around her pale eyes multiplying when she smiled. “You noticed.”
“Of course I did.”
“Would you stop hogging all her attention,” Heather said. “She’s here to see me, right Mama?”
His mother laughed and shook her head. “Some things never change. I hope you two haven’t squabbled the whole time you’ve seen each other.”
She flashed Suzy a smile before making a beeline to Heather’s bedside. She brushed her hair from her face. “My poor girl. How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ll die of boredom before they let me out of this place.”
“You’ve always had a flair for the dramatic. You’re here because the doctors need to keep an eye on you so let them do their jobs. You’ll be released soon enough.”
Duke rounded the end of the bed to stand beside Suzy. He hooked an arm around her waist, not wanting there to be any confusion about his feelings. “I’ll try not to take her boredom personally. Suzy and I’ve been attempting to entertain her. I even let them both beat me in Uno.”
“Ha,” Suzy said, poking him in the ribs with her elbow. “I beat you fair and square.”
“And you must be Suzy?”
“Yes, ma’am.” The small quiver in her voice belied her nerves.
“Mom, Suzy is Lane’s sister. We’ve worked together since I moved to town, and now we’re dating. Suzy, this is my mom.”
“You can call me Dorthy,” she said. “I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m so happy to meet you, although I wish it was under different circumstances.”
Curiosity gnawed at Duke. He hadn’t mentioned one word to his mom about Suzy. Heather must have told her something.
“It’s nice to meet you, too,” Suzy said. “How was your flight?”
“Took forever. All I wanted was to get here to my girl.” She squeezed Heather’s hand. “I won’t leave until you do. Promise.”
“That chair isn’t comfortable to sit in let alone sleep,” Duke said.
Dorthy waved away his concern. “Doesn’t matter. I’ve slept in worse places.”
He was afraid to ask for those details so he glossed over her statement. “Are you hungry? It’s getting close to dinner time.”
Heather wrinkled her nose. “The food here sucks. Except the Jell-O. That’s pretty good.”
“How about we order in food?” Suzy suggested. “I’m sure Lane wouldn’t mind bringing something by. Then your mom could get a chance to meet him.”
He swallowed a groan. He and Lane might have patched things up but that didn’t mean he wanted to see his ugly mug again. But unless they ate in the cafeteria, the options were limited. Even with the deputy back on guard, he didn’t want to leave the women alone to pick up food himself.
Before he could respond, Suzy continued. “I’ll step into the hall and call him. You stay and visit with your family.”
He frowned, not wanting her out of his sight. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“I’ll be fine.” She ran a palm down his arm. “Deputy Ramirez is right there. I won’t venture far.”
“Will you keep the door open at least?”
She smiled up at him. “Sure. I’ll be right back.”
As soon as she stepped foot in the hall, the cooing of his mom and sister rolled his eyes. “Seriously?”
“She’s lovely,” his mom said. “I’m sorry she’s in the middle of all this trouble. I’m sorry all of you are.”
He let loose a long breath. “I just want Chrissy caught and this whole mess to be over. Then Heather can actually enjoy some of her visit and I can focus on Suzy without constantly looking over my shoulder.”
Dorthy tsked. “Chrissy always found herself in trouble, but I never thought she was dangerous. That she’d go this far. Are you sure there isn’t another explanation?”
“I’m positive.”
She sighed. “Then I’m sure you’re right. It makes my heart sick that she’d stoop so low. I mean, I know you’re a real catch but come on.”
Chuckling, he shook his head. Leave it to his mom to crack a joke at a time like this to make them all feel better.
She was worried—hell she wouldn’t have made the trip if she wasn’t—but her motherly instinct was to protect.
To shield her kids. And if the only way she could do that was to lighten the mood a little, she’d find a way to do it.
“I told Suzy the same thing,” Heather said, joining in on the teasing. “But she won’t listen. Which is good because I really like her. You’ll have to answer to me if you mess this one up.”
He’d kick his own ass if he ruined what was happening with Suzy, but he’d let Heather think she was the one who’d put the fear of God in him. He held his palms up in surrender. “I’ll do everything in my power to make her happy and not screw up.”
His mom tilted her head to the side and stared at him with knowing eyes. “You really mean it, don’t you?”
“I do.”
“Then it’s a good thing I came to Hillmore. Not only to see you and Heather but to get to know your young lady. If she’s important to you, she’s important to me. I can’t wait to tell her all kinds of embarrassing stories about when you were a kid.”
“Goodie,” Heather said, clapping her hands under her chin. “That will keep me entertained.”
He groaned to keep up the pretense of being annoyed by their antics, but teasing was a love language to his family. And if they planned to include Suzy, he had no doubt she’d fit right in.
Suzy pushed aside her empty plate and covered her mouth with her hand, doubling over with laughter.
They’d finished the pizza Lane had dropped off for dinner, and she’d spent the last fifteen minutes listening to stories about Duke’s childhood.
She had to catch her breath if she wanted to hear the rest of Dorthy’s story, but it was so hard when giggles continued to roll from her mouth.
Duke sat beside her and chuckled. “If I’d known you planned to tell Suzy all of my embarrassing moments, I would have insisted we leave you two to eat your dinner alone.”
“Mama hasn’t even gotten to the best part yet,” Heather said, her own laughter interrupting her words. “Mom was so mad when he stole half a container of whipped cream before dinner that she replaced the rest with sour cream and waited, knowing he’d come back for more.”
“Oh no,” Suzy said, pressing her hands to her aching stomach. “And did he?”
Duke gave an exaggerated groan and leaned to the side, resting his forehead on her shoulder. “It tasted so bad. I’ve never been able to eat sour cream—or whipped cream—since.”
“Serves you right.” She gave him a playful slap. “Making your poor mother think the dog was eating the Thanksgiving turkey so you could sneak a treat before dinner.”
“What can I say, I’ve always had a sweet tooth.”
“And zero concern for consequences.” Dorthy cackled.
“You’ve always been one to act first, think later.
One of your most, and least, charming attributes.
It’s what made you such a good bull rider.
But I have to admit, I’m glad you’ve left that world behind.
Even though it seems danger is still following you around. ”
“Do you miss it?” Heather asked. “I mean, the rodeo was your entire life for so long. It’s weird that you’re just done.”
Suzy stiffened, anticipating his next words.
She was falling fast for the man, had been falling for him for months, but a part of her held back.
Not because she wasn’t sure about her feelings, but because she was afraid that after the danger passed and Duke’s problems were over, he’d move along to something more exciting.
Something new where he could act first and think later.
“I thought I would,” Duke said. “Honestly, my plan was to always go back. But things change.” He slipped his hand in hers and squeezed.
She wanted to believe she was enough to keep him in town, but she’d learned the hard way, more than once, she wasn’t enough to keep any man from chasing their dreams.
Dorthy stared at Suzy for a second before settling her gentle gaze on her son. “I can’t wait to see more of your life here. Suzy, you grew up here, right?”
“Born and raised.”
“Did you ever want to leave?”
“Not for more than a week or two. This is my home. These are my people. They helped raise me and make me into the person I am today. My roots might not be all pretty, but they run deep.”
“Then this sounds like an amazing place,” Dorthy said. “Texas holds my heart like this town holds yours. I understand that pull. I’m lucky my girls felt it close to me, but Duke always wanted out. Wanted more. It looks like he found what he’s been searching for.”
She mustered a smile and held on to the sentiment. She hoped it was true, that Duke’s mom knew him well enough to see that he was settled and happy and would stay because this was where he belonged.
“He’s a lucky guy in more ways than one, but he met his match in games. Suzy wins every time,” Heather said.
Duke lifted their joined hands and kissed her knuckles. “I guess I can live with that.”
Another cackle from Dorthy lifted Suzy’s lips. “I knew I liked you from the second I saw you. Knowing you put my boy in his place makes me like you even more.”
“You say that now, but the second she beats you in Uno you’ll sing a different tune.” Duke wagged a finger in his mom’s direction.
A knock sounded on the door followed by a young nurse in green scrubs. Her dark hair was pulled into a high ponytail. “Sounds like you guys are having a party.”
“Sorry, are we being too loud?” Suzy asked.
“Nope, just making everyone on the floor jealous that we can’t join. I’ve got to check Heather’s vitals. Are you feeling okay?” She walked to the monitor beside the bed and studied the numbers.
“Head still hurts but not as bad,” Heather said.
“Dizzy? Nauseous? Blurred vision?” the nurse asked.
“Nope. I even managed to keep down two slices of pizza.”
“I’m glad to hear it. And your vitals look good, too.”
Dorthy stood by Heather and squeezed her hand. “Does that mean she can be discharged?”
“Sorry but that won’t happen tonight,” the nurse said. “The doctor ordered another CT in the morning to make sure the swelling is gone. Then she’ll talk to you about when Heather can go home. Let me know if you need anything.” She flashed a small smile and hurried out the door.
“Looks like we’ll have a good ole fashion sleepover tonight.” Dorthy dropped back in chair. “Then tomorrow everything can go back to normal.”
“Are you sure you want to stay the night in this room?” Duke asked.
“No doubt in the world. I’m so tired I’ll be lucky to keep my eyes open long enough to change into some sleepwear.”
Duke stood and gently pulled Suzy to her feet. “Then we should go. Wouldn’t want to get in the way of the sleepover.”
Dorthy held up her arms, and Duke leaned down for a hug. “I’ll see you in the morning. I love you.”
“Love you, too. There will be a deputy posted outside the door but call me if you need anything.”
Dorthy reached past Duke and took both of Suzy’s hands. “You, my dear, are a delight. I look forward to getting to know you better.”
The words were like a soothing balm on her soul, and she blinked back tears. Duke’s mother was amazing, just like Duke had said. She just hoped Dorthy wasn’t one more person she’d be forced to say to goodbye to.