Chapter 19
CHAPTER 19
Family is everything. ~ The Lady Elks Secret Archives.
Hawk finished smoothing the very ruffled feathers of the nurse on duty, explaining that Colton had been conked in the head and then forced to watch his wife give birth on the side of a road in a storm. To twins. So his ignoring orders, basically telling the doctor to bug off, and going away from treatment and into his wife’s room was perfectly reasonable.
The nurse, a battle-ax at least a thousand years old, didn’t quite agree. Finally, something else caught her attention, and she turned her back on him.
Folks were beginning to pour in the front doors, no doubt to see Melanie’s babies. A woman with spiked pink hair stormed up, green eyes blazing. He couldn’t remember her name. “Where’s Dawn?”
He smiled down at the guitar player. “You don’t like me.”
She pressed sharp nails on her slim hips. “You’re in my way and you’re holding Dawn back. She should go on tour with us.”
He liked that. He could get that. “Dawn’s giving her statement to the sheriff in the cafeteria down the hall.”
Without another word, but adding a hard glare, the woman headed toward the cafeteria. Hawk lost his smile. Keeping an eye on the battle-ax, he sidled around the reception desk and hurried down the hallway to Melanie’s room.
She lay in a bed, sound asleep, twin little cradles next to her. Colton sat by her side, an ugly purple bruise spreading across his temple and down his face. He grinned. “Thanks,” he whispered.
Hawk leaned over to look at two very tiny girls. “They look like their mama.” Curly brown hair, petite features, stubborn chins.
Colton nodded happily. “I know.”
“How’s your head?” Hawk whispered.
“Fine. I’m a little concussed.” Colton noted the gun now strapped to Hawk’s hip. “You’re not staying.”
Hawk swallowed. “No. We’re hitting the storage house tonight.”
Colt’s gaze sizzled. “And then?”
Hawk stepped back, body going cold. “Then I’m going after the rest of the organization.” His buddy had to get it. “If I don't, they’ll come after me. And it’s my job.”
“It was your job.” Colton stood and got into his face. “You’re out, and it’s time to move on. Meyer had a hard-on for you, but that was personal. Let somebody else take down the rest of them. You’re home. ”
Hawk sighed. “I thought you’d get it.”
“I do.” Colton clapped him on the shoulder. “You promised your buddy you’d bring Meyer to justice, and you have. You did it. You’re not responsible for the world, Hawk. You’ve done your time, and there’s plenty to do here. Time to stop running.”
“I’m not running.” Hawk’s lungs heated.
“Yeah, you are. You’ve always thought you needed a purpose, needed to do something good, since you were left all alone. There’s plenty of good you can do here, without getting shot at. Much.” Slowly, Colton sat back down, his gaze serious. “If you leave her this time, you’re gonna lose her. I know my sister.”
Hawk stiffened. “You have to want her with somebody better.”
“There is no one better.” Colt leaned back, no give on his hard face. “I’m not going to convince you, and I’m not going to get angry with you. Either you know that in your gut, or you don’t.”
Hawk lifted his head. “You don’t think she’ll wait.” He said it as a statement, not a question.
“She’s waited long enough.” Colton lifted a shoulder. “I’ll miss you.”
“Ditto.” His gut clenching, his chest aching, Hawk turned and took one more look at a peacefully sleeping Melanie. “Take care of our Mel.”
“Always,” Colton said, standing again. He gave Hawk a hard hug and then let him go.
Hawk left the room, his mind spinning. He had to do his job, didn’t he? There’d always be danger, but Colton had been right about it being personal between him and Meyer .
Dawn waited for him, arms crossed, back to the opposite wall. “You’re leaving.”
“Yes,” he said.
“How long?” she asked.
“I don’t know.” He could give her the truth. “As long as it takes.”
“Doesn’t have to be you.” Her eyes blazed, and her stubborn jaw had set.
Reese came around the corner, in full-on black flack and bulletproof gear, bruises still mottling his face.
Hawk frowned. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Reese shrugged. “I’m not missing this.”
“You’ve been discharged?” Hawk asked.
“No.” Reese headed for the outside door. “We leave in five, Rain.”
Hawk nodded.
Dawn shook her head. “You have to be finished proving yourself. Stay home, work the ranch, help Colton with the businesses.” Never one to pull her punches, she continued, “And date me.”
Which would put her in even more danger until he finished the job. “You don’t understand.”
“I do. But I’m done waiting for you.” She glanced down the hallway. “I might not even be here when you get back. If you get back.”
Hawk frowned. “You’re not seriously thinking of touring with that crazy group, are you?”
“What do you care?” she asked, chin lifting.
He stepped into her, his gut hurting. “I care, Dawnie. You know I do.” Her scent almost dropped him to his knees. All woman, all huckleberry .
She reached up and threaded her fingers through his hair, tugging down. Then her mouth pressed against his.
He delved deep, yanking her into him, so much softness he could drown. Holding tight, he put every ounce of feeling he owned into the kiss, slowly gentling his touch. When he lifted up, her mouth was parted, her cheeks rosy, and her eyes dreamy. Her hands caressed down his chest.
She gently pushed him back, and he went.
Facing him head on, she gave a short nod. “Bye, Hawk.” Turning on a cowboy boot, she crossed the hallway and entered her sister-in-law’s hospital room.
Without looking back.