Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The Hospital
“Salem,” Muddy whispered.
I snapped my head up and my eyes flipped open. The hospital waiting room took a moment to come into focus.
Hadley was asleep on my shoulder, and I gently nudged her.
“What’s going on?” She rubbed her mouth.
“He’s awake.” Muddy smiled, her hazel eyes shiny with unshed tears.
“He’s awake?” Hadley repeated.
Muddy nodded.
Hadley jumped up. “I want to see him.”
I put my hand to my neck and rubbed it. Falling asleep sitting up in a hospital waiting room didn’t lend itself to comfort.
“He’s groggy,” Muddy explained. “And he keeps falling asleep. The nurse said that’s the sedation wearing off.”
We arrived at Dad’s room and Muddy pushed the door open. I stilled.
Jane was sitting by his bedside, holding his hand.
Hadley looked at me in tacit warning.
It had been four days since Declan had spoken plainly to me. And I was determined not to be the cause of any stress.
Dad was currently awake and a smile bloomed across his face.
Hadley immediately burst into tears, went to Dad’s bedside, and crouched down. She grasped his hand and brought it to her lips.
“I’m okay,” Dad rasped.
She blubbered, but couldn’t form words.
Jane let go of my father’s other hand and stood.
She leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead, and then whispered something into his ear.
She stood up straight and walked around the bed.
Jane looked at me, but didn’t say anything.
When she got to Muddy, she reached out and gave her hand a squeeze before leaving the room.
Dad’s gaze met mine. “Salem.”
“Well, aren’t you a dramatic one,” I said, forcing the emotion down my throat. “You’ll do anything to get me to come home.”
My dad cracked a grin and he made a motion to lift his arm, but it was too much of a struggle. He curled his finger and I immediately went to the side Jane had vacated and hooked my finger with his.
“Muddy hasn’t left the hospital in five days,” I said to him, shooting my grandmother a look. I then turned my attention back to my dad. “I’ve had to cook meals. Unforgivable sin. You’re looking good with scruff, Dad.”
Dad’s eyes fluttered, and then they closed.
“I’m glad you warned us this would happen,” Hadley remarked. “It’s kind of unnerving.”
We stayed for another hour. Dad kept waking up briefly and then falling asleep a few minutes later. He didn’t contribute much to the conversation, but his eyes tracked whoever spoke and his grip grew firmer as time passed.
“Go home,” Dad said to Muddy. “Sleep in your own bed.”
She jutted her chin, clearly ready to fight.
Dad’s gaze slid to mine, pleading.
“He’s right,” I said to her. “You should get a good night’s sleep. We can come back early tomorrow morning.”
“They’re going to be doing neurological tests every few hours,” Hadley said. “No use in both of you not sleeping.”
I took a step closer to Muddy and lowered my voice. “You won’t help Dad get well if you burn the candle at both ends.”
That got through to her and she nodded. “All right. But I’m coming back early tomorrow morning.” She went to Dad’s bedside and brushed her lips across his forehead.
Hadley kissed his cheek, and then stepped back.
Dad looked at me, and even though he was still groggy from the sedative, I could read the words in his eyes.
I nodded and leaned over to whisper, “I’ll hold down the fort. I promise.”
Hadley’s phone buzzed as we left Dad’s room. “Declan.”
She put the phone to her ear and talked to her fiancé. Muddy linked her arm through mine and said, “We need to have a talk.”
“We do?” I asked. “Oh joy.”
“Smart ass,” she said lightly. “What I meant was, I need to speak to you, Hadley and Declan.”
“When? After dinner?”
She shook her head. “Tomorrow after we see your father. Tonight, you should go out.”
“Go out?” I asked in confusion.
“Out.” She nodded. “The four of you need to go out and celebrate.”
“Isn’t it too soon to celebrate?” I asked, my brow furrowing.
Muddy turned me to face her, and then cradled my cheeks in her hands. Hazel eyes that mirrored my own peered at me. “It’s never too early to celebrate. Life is filled with tragedy, Salem. So celebrate when you can and to hell with the rest.”