Nate
Ihold my breath, my heart racing as I wait for her answer.
Is this the planned-out, perfect proposal she asked for? No. But it’s real.
And I’ll be damned if I let Rory think for one second that I don’t want her anymore.
So her fallopian tube is gone. Who cares?
I’m not entirely sure what a fallopian tube is, to be honest. But I do know that it has absolutely nothing to do with how I feel about her.
“You’re insane,” she finally says.
She laughs, then winces, pressing a hand to her abdomen.
“That’s not an answer. But you’re in pain. I’m going to get a nurse for you.” I slip off the bed.
She can say she’s not hurting all she wants, but she can’t hide it completely. After all, she just had major abdominal surgery. I’m sure things aren’t feeling great.
I need Rory’s answer to my proposal like I need my next breath. But I’d rather hold my breath forever than see her in pain.
So while she contemplates her answer, I flag down a nurse.
“How are you feeling, Rory?” the nurse asks as she follows me into the room. “Want a little something more for pain? I can give you more of the same medicine you had earlier, or something stronger if you need it.”
“She’ll have whatever will make her agree to marry me,” I say.
I’m kidding, mostly. I want Rory to be clear-headed for this decision, of course. But if medication lowers her defenses and lets her tell me what she really wants, I’ll take it.
The nurse raises her eyebrows as she looks at me and then back to Rory. “Oh, honey. I think you’ve got yourself a keeper here.”
Rory laughs, then winces again. “I do. I’ll take”—she pauses as a pained expression crosses her face when she moves—“the strong one, I think, actually. Thanks.”
“You’ve got it, Rory. Be right back.”
The medicine seems to help Rory’s pain, but it also makes her so sleepy that she drifts off before giving me an answer.
While she rests, I update our friends and family as much as I can, trying to get things set up so Rory can rest when she gets home.
BEAUTY QUEEN SUPPORT GROUP
Nate
Hey guys. I’m at the hospital with Rory. She just had surgery.
Allie
What?
Dylan
What happened? Is she okay?
Stacey
What do you need?
Lawton
Let me know what you need. I can cover your shift tomorrow.
Thanks, Lawton. Rory is okay but needs some time to recover.
Allie
What happened?
I’ll let Rory give you all the details, but just know that she’s going to be okay. She wants a little privacy for now.
I pull up Dylan’s number next. As Rory’s brother, he deserves more details, but I’m still limited by what Rory wants to share.
He answers on the first ring. “Nate? What’s going on?”
“Hey, Dylan. Sorry to be vague on the group chat.”
“I get it. Is Rory okay?” His voice is laced with concern.
“Yeah. She had to have surgery. She’s okay, though, and she’s recovering. I’m hoping she’ll be home soon.” I peek back through the door into the hospital room, where Rory is still sleeping peacefully.
“What happened?”
This is the question, and the one I can’t really answer. Rory asked me not to share all the details, and while I trust everyone in that group chat, her request supersedes everything.
“All I can tell you is that she’s going to be okay. Rory asked me not to share more details for now.” I lean against the wall, hoping that’s enough for him.
He’s silent for a minute, then sighs, the sound amplified through the phone. “Okay, then. Thank you for taking care of her.”
His acceptance speaks volumes. My chest swells with pride, knowing that this is Dylan’s way of telling me that he trusts me to take care of his sister.
“Of course. I’ll always take care of Rory.”
He blows out another breath. “It’s hard to trust someone else with your baby sister, you know? But I know she’s in good hands with you, Nate.”
“Thanks, man. That means a lot.” It really, really does. “Can I ask you a favor?”
“As long as it’s not if I’ll take your place in the Mr. Lonesome pageant,” he says, deadpan.
Oh crap. I almost forgot about all of that.
“No, that’s not it, but we should talk about all of that. It sort of slipped my mind with everything going on with Rory. I’m wondering if Allie can stay with you for a little while.”
There’s a moment of silence.
“Rory’s friend Allie?” Dylan asks, like there’s some remote chance I could be talking about a different Allie than the one who’s been living in my house.
“That’s the one,” I confirm. “Rory needs some privacy while she recovers. I was hoping she could stay with you. And Spam, too, if that’s okay.”
“Did you ask Allie about this?”
I shake my head, then realize he can’t see me. “No, not yet. I wanted to make sure it was okay with you first.”
“It’s fine with me. Whatever you need, man. But I don’t know if Allie likes me that much. She might still be mad about the night I made her leave the bar when she was plastered.”
“It’s just for a few days. Maybe a week, max.”
They’re adults. They can manage co-existing. Besides, Dylan’s house is bigger than ours. The two can just avoid one another if it really comes down to that.
“Whatever you need, Nate. Let me know what else I can do to help.”
“Thanks. I owe you, man. And it’s okay if the dog comes, too? I’m just worried that with his energy, he could jump, and I want Rory to take it easy, you know?”
“You’ve got it. Hope he likes cats.”
I must have heard that last bit wrong. “What was that?”
“Cats. I…have a cat now. Apparently.” Dylan seems less than thrilled about this development.
“I… How?” I have a lot of questions, but we’ll start with this one.
“Long story. His name is Norman.” Dylan doesn’t elaborate.
“Well, if there are issues with Norman and Spam, let me know. Thanks again, Dylan.”
“Take care of my baby sister, Nate.”
I end the call. I’m still curious about Norman and how that situation transpired, since Dylan is the last person on Earth I’d picture with a cat, but I need all of my focus to be on Rory.
Besides, if there’s one thing I know about Allie, it’s that she’ll keep digging until she’s satisfied with the answers. She’ll sort out how Norman came to be living with Dylan.
I pull up a new text and type out a message to Rory’s best friend.
Nate
Allie, didn’t want to use the group chat for this, but I have a favor to ask.
Allie
Rory let me know what’s going on. I’m here for whatever you need.
Rory needs a little privacy while she recovers. Would you mind staying with Dylan for a little while until she’s ready for company?
I can help. I don’t mind being there for her.
She just wants some privacy, even from you. Just for a little bit. I’m sorry.
And the only options are living with Dylan or being homeless?
He offered. And he said Spam can stay there too.
Well…I have thoughts, but whatever Rory needs. You know that.
Ask him if he can provide the 1000 thread count sheets and satin pillowcases to which I’ve grown accustomed. And a mimosa bar in the morning.
Thanks, Allie. I know you and Dylan don’t always see eye to eye but appreciate you taking one for the team here.
I’ll see what I can do about your requests, your highness.
No worries. I can’t wait to see what Dylan thinks of Spam.
You’re a good friend, Al.
I’ll cash in my favor at a later time. *winky face emoji*
Just what I need. Knowing Allie, a favor could be anything from taking part in a karaoke competition to bailing her out of jail.
I send a text to update Dylan on the situation as well.
Nate
Thanks again for letting Allie and Spam stay there. It shouldn’t be too long.
Dylan
Not a big deal. Let me know what she needs.
She said something about a 1000 thread count sheet set and satin pillowcases? And mimosas in the morning.
I meant Rory. Obviously.
And 1000 thread count? How much money does she think a high school principal makes?
Plus, mimosas? Really? She doesn’t need mimosas. She needs a fucking curfew.
Can’t wait to see how this all turns out.
Eh, it’ll be fine. I don’t know why she has a chip on her shoulder when it comes to me but I have a couple of spare bedrooms and a soft spot for my baby sister that extends to her friends.
I didn’t tell her about the cat yet.
Rory nods as Cindy, today’s nurse, hands her a stack of papers. “I’ll take it easy.”
The color is finally back in her cheeks after two days in the hospital. Now that she’s able to walk back and forth to the bathroom and tolerate food, Dr. Graham has cleared her to go home today. Rory will need to rest, since she still has plenty of recovery in front of her.
But I know Rory, so I know she’s already thinking about potential loopholes, even as she promises to take it easy.
I clear my throat. “Just to clarify. When you say take it easy, do you mean, for example, only riding easy horses? Not galloping? Or do you mean no horseback riding at all?”
Cindy looks startled. “Um, I believe the doctor would recommend no horseback riding at all for a while.”
Rory glares at me, validating my suspicions.
I hold back my grin. “Got it. And what about barn chores? Say, lifting heavy pitchforks full of manure?”
“I’m fine,” Rory protests, but I don’t miss the way she winces in pain as she tries to sit up all the way.
“I’d recommend relaxing at home for a few weeks before doing anything strenuous like horseback riding or lifting…heavy items.” Cindy nods, her bright-red curls bobbing as her head moves. “And you’ll be helping Rory out, sir?”
“I will.” And, apparently, making sure she doesn’t try to sneak off to the barn while she’s still healing.
I’m pretty sure Mandy would shut that down pretty quick, but when it comes to horses, Rory can be pretty determined.
“Okay, then. You’ve picked up the prescription for pain medicine?”
I hold it up.
“Then I’ll just need you to sign here that you’ve received these instructions. Rory, you’ll have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Graham in about a week, but you can call her office if anything comes up in the meantime. Okay?”
Rory twists her lips to one side. “Sure.”
I can tell how hard it is for her to be in this position. Rory doesn’t like being in a spot where she needs help. And asking for help? Forget about it.
But, like it or not, she has a whole mess of people who care about her and want to help her in any way possible.
I sign the discharge papers, hoping we’re in the clear, but as soon as Cindy rolls a wheelchair up to the bed, Rory starts to protest all over again.
“I’m fine,” she says.
She’s said the words so many times that they’re practically a refrain.
“It’s hospital policy,” Cindy explains. “Liability, you know.”
“Just get in the chair.” I point.
Cindy has logic on her side, but when Rory digs in her heels, logic only goes so far. Which is to say, not very. And I just want to get her home.
Rory glares at me, but she sits in the wheelchair.
“I’m fine,” she says again as Cindy wheels her through the hallway.
“I know.”
Even though she’s fine, Rory is shaky on her feet when she stands from the wheelchair once we reach the hospital entrance. She leans on me as I open the door to my Explorer and help her in.
I drive below the speed limit the entire two miles home, carefully avoiding the potholes that dot the town roads.
As we turn onto High Street, my phone rings. It’s been blowing up nonstop since Rory’s been in the hospital, but when I glance down and see Dylan’s name on the screen, I accept the call.
“Hey. I’m on the way home with Rory,” I answer once the call connects through the car’s sound system.
Dylan’s voice sounds through the speakers. “Hey, Rory. How are you feeling?”
“I’m good,” she answers. “Glad to be heading home.”
“Well, let me know what you need, okay? I filled in Dad, too.”
I take my eyes off the road for a second in time to see Rory’s grateful smile.
“Thanks, Dylan. I appreciate that.”
“Anytime, Ror. Anyway, Nate, I wanted to check in to see how you’re feeling about this weekend’s pageant stuff. Do you want to pull out? No one would blame you.”
Rory gasps. “I completely forgot about that. Oh God. My timing was terrible.”
She buries her face in her hands.
I give her shoulder a squeeze as I turn onto a side road. “Pretty sure you didn’t pick the timing of any of this, Rory. Besides, you come first. This pageant is just for fun.”
Dylan’s chuckle emanates from the speakers. “Maybe not if you ask Dad, but I’m on your side here. If you’re still thinking of participating, do you want me to come over tonight to help prep? Or tomorrow, if that’s better. I have some vacation time I need to burn through.”
I raise my eyebrows toward Rory, who shrugs.
“Sure. If you have time, that would be great,” I answer.
“Can I bring you guys anything when I come?” Dylan asks. “I can stop by the market if you want. Or pick up takeout or whatever. As long as it’s in town.”
“Pizza!” Rory blurts out. “Buffalo chicken pizza. Please.”
“You heard the woman, Dylan. One buffalo chicken pizza, if you don’t mind.”
“Ranch or blue cheese?” Dylan asks.
“Ranch. Obviously.”
I press a hand over my mouth to muffle my laughter. “Thanks, Dylan. Appreciate it.”
“Sure thing.” He coughs. “Any idea what Allie likes on her pizza?”
Rory’s eyebrows pull together. “Allie?”
“Yeah. Does she like buffalo chicken? Cheese pizza? I figure if I’m stopping at Mountain High, I may as well grab an extra pizza for us, too.”
I look to the right before making a left onto Fourth Street, which grants me the pleasure of seeing Rory’s expression as it morphs from confusion to suspicion.
“Why is Allie—”
“Thanks, Dylan. I’ll find out and let you know. Talk soon!” I end the call. “So, by the way—”
“Why does Dylan want to know about Allie’s pizza order?” Rory asks. “Are they, like…”
“Uh, no. At least, not that I know of. Allie and Spam are staying over there for a few days so you can have some privacy to recover. Plus, peace and quiet.” I turn into the driveway and shift into park.
Rory raises an eyebrow. “All under one roof? That’s… Okay, then.”
That’s about how I’d sum up their relationship, too, from what I’ve seen. I climb out of my seat and round the front of the car to open Rory’s door.
She holds my arm while she climbs out, then leans on me as we make our way to the front door, step by step.
I push open the door and hold it wide.
Rory takes a step inside, then turns back to me. For a moment, I marvel at how right this seems. Rory, standing in the doorway of our home, her hand in mine.
But as she holds my gaze with an intense focus, I’m not at all prepared for what she says next.