51
T he doctor stands in the waiting room, surrounded by Ruby’s father and brother, who talk in low tones. I recognize the resemblance. Ruby’s father and brother share her bright blue eyes. They have the same fierce, stubborn lift of her chin.
With Ford and Wyatt flanking me, I don’t slow my stride, and when the doctor looks at me, a knot of tension loosens in my chest.
Damn straight, he looks at me.
“Are you the husband?” he asks.
I settle in front of them, cross my arms. “Not yet.”
Ruby’s brother, Max, glares. His hands are fisted at his side like he plans to beat the shit out of me.
Let him.
I have something more important to worry about.
Heart in my throat, I rasp, “How is she?”
Hesitating, the doctor looks at Ruby’s father. When he gets a quick nod of confirmation from the man, he says, “Ruby’s breathing on her own, which is all we can ask for right now. She’s currently sedated and in critical condition. She has an elevated heart rate and a cracked rib.”
I flinch.
My fault. I hate myself for hurting her.
As if reading my mind, the doctor says, “A broken rib will heal. You did the right thing. Getting her proper treatment was the most important.”
I swallow, blowing out a breath. “How—what happened to her?”
“Cardiac arrest. With her underlying heart condition combined with adrenaline, the emotional stress and smoke inhalation, her heart gave out.” His eyes scour my dirty clothes, his face twisting in sympathy. “I understand you had quite a night, Mr. Montgomery.”
For a brief second, I close my eyes, rage and pain sweeping over me.
DVL is fucking done.
“Will she be okay?” I ask, my voice breaking.
“If she makes it through the night, we’ll worry about the rest. Right now, we’re completing all the testing for brain activity while she’s out.
But we won’t fully comment on her neurological function until she wakes up.
” The doctor offers an apologetic smile.
“A full recovery ...it’d be a miracle, Mr. Montgomery. ”
I give a tight nod. “Good thing you got a girl in there who is one.”
The doctor considers this. “We’ll keep you updated.”
“Thank you.” I shake his hand.
The doctor walks down the hall, leaving us alone with Ruby’s father and brother. An uncomfortable tension falls over the waiting room.
Ruby’s father turns to me. “You.”
Behind me, Wyatt hitches a breath.
I meet his eyes. “Sir?”
I steel myself, terrified they’ll blame me when I already blame myself. Terrified they won’t let me see her. But I’ll fight them. I would love to see anyone try to stop me or even suggest I shouldn’t be by her side.
Tears sparkle in his eyes. “You’re Charlie? The cowboy my Ruby loves.”
“I am.” I tilt my head toward Ruby’s room. “She’s my entire life,” I tell her father. “Please. Don’t keep me from her.”
An eternity passes before he nods.
I’m already moving, but before I can enter Ruby’s room, Max blocks my path.
My hands flex into fists.
This close.
This close to ripping down the goddamn door to get to my girl.
I lower my voice so only Max can hear me. “Say whatever the fuck you mean, then get out of my way.”
“You know about her condition?” Max asks, a muscle jerking in his jaw.
“She told me.”
“And you’re ready to take that on?” His blue eyes, as tenacious Ruby’s, pin me in place. “You ready to be there for my sister? To take care of her when she’s sick? To never have kids? To watch her die in your arms again if it comes to that?”
I want to punch the bastard. But then I remember Emmy Lou. I’d do the same damn thing. Hell, I have. If it means I have to take her brother’s shit to get to Ruby, I’ll do it.
I’m coming for you, baby.
I step up to the kid, toe to toe. My hard gaze never wavers. “I choose her. I love her. Whatever she takes on, I take on. I’ll be there when she’s sick. Catch her when she faints. And I’ll never ever leave her.”
Sudden tears spring to Max’s eyes. “You mean it?”
“On my life.”
Max looks at his father, and an unspoken conversation passes between them. Then he jerks his chin in a nod and moves aside. “Go,” he says, his tone resigned.
With that, I step inside Ruby’s room.
There she is.
There’s my girl.
Heart tripping, I stand rooted to the spot, feverishly taking her in. Ruby looks breakable, delicate, so fucking small in the hospital bed. Her face and lips are bloodless, dark circles beneath her eyes. Tubes and wires feed into her. Machines beep a steady rhythm.
Finally, I force myself to move. In two large strides, I claim the seat beside her bed. Already I’m breathing easier in Ruby’s calming presence. I take her slack hand, nestling her small, soft palm in my rougher one.
She has a heart too big for this world, but goddamn if I’m not keeping her here.
I need her.
“Baby, I made it.” My lips sweep over her knuckles. “I’m here.”
Her heartbeat pulses against my palm.
Faint, but it’s there.
She came back to me once.
Now she has to hold on.
She has to fight.
“Wake up, Ruby,” I whisper, pressing her hand to my cheek. “You need to come back to me. Open those beautiful blue eyes and wake up.” I lean over and cup her colorless face. “Please, Sunflower. You’re not leavin’ me yet.”
Silence.
The heart monitor beeps.
I close my eyes, resting a hand over her chest, letting the beautiful beat of her heart reassure me that she’s still here.
And I settle in to wait.
As long as I have to.