Riley
The drive to the hospital is silent—tense.
Granger hasn’t said a word since they loaded Felix into a helicopter and disappeared into the sky, and even then all he said was ‘let’s go’.
I didn’t waste time asking questions. Just ran to keep up with his long stride. He’s not driving recklessly, although he is doing more than the speed limit. Then again, with a police escort, that isn’t an issue.
Chief Yunker has one of his officers clearing the way with sirens and lights, and every time we pass a car pulled over, I clench my hands tighter.
I can’t think about what’s happening to Felix. Instead I’m focusing on what I tell him the second I see him.
He told me he loved me. I heard him. And even if he didn’t or it was a life-flashing-before-his-eyes confession he didn’t mean, I need to tell him I love him.
When it happened is anyone’s guess. There was no lightbulb moment. No lightning-bolt strike. I knew last night when he showed me the stars multiple times, but it wasn’t the extreme pleasure he gave me that made me realize how I feel. It was the way he did it.
With care. With worship. With unrelenting determination. With a rough gentleness that defies logic.
Felix Wallis is the love of my life, and I can’t lose him.
“We won’t. He’s survived worse.”
Granger’s voice has my head snapping toward him. “Did I say that out loud?”
“Yes. Barely. But I know what you’re thinking. I’m thinking the same.” He keeps his eyes on the road. “When we lost his mother…”
“Your sister.”
“Yes. My sister. Ginger. When we lost her, I didn’t think I’d ever see the boy he was again.
But since you arrived, I’ve seen glimpses.
Only he’s a man now, shaped by all that’s happened to him, which includes you.
I know my nephew; he meant what he said before he passed out.
He’ll fight with everything he has to stay. For you.”
“Warren shot him.”
“He was trying to shoot you.”
I swallow. Roll my lips inward before saying, “It’s my fault.”
“No!” His gaze snaps to mine for a second before going back to the road. “The person at fault bled out on the sidewalk after Yunker shot him.”
“Warren’s dead?” How did I miss that?
“Yes. Yunker had the paramedics check him, but it was a chest and a head shot. No coming back from that.”
“And Felix’s wound?”
“Through and through side wound. Hopefully the bullet missed vital organs.”
“There was a lot of blood.”
“Yes. That’s probably why he passed out, that and pain. But they were already pumping it back into him before they took off. He’ll need surgery, more blood maybe. Depending on what damage the bullet did going through him will determine his recovery time.”
I turn to look out the side window and whisper, “I wish it was me.”
“I don’t. He’s strong, big; he can survive a bullet easier than you.”
It’s cold comfort to think Felix’s size is a benefit against a bullet. No one should need that advantage. I know guns are a normal thing in life but until today I’d never heard one and the only ones I’d seen in person were strapped to the belts of our local police officers.
“We’re almost there.”
Turning forward, I stare through the windshield and watch the hospital building grow bigger and bigger the closer we get. I don’t want to be here. Don’t want to know what they’re going to tell me when we get in there.
Except I don’t want to be anywhere else either.
I want to walk in there and ask to see my husband, be taken to him, and find him sitting up in bed, a smile on his face. His hand reaching out for mine.
When we get inside, I get none of that. The kind nurse directs us to a private waiting room and tells us he’s still in surgery. They’ll know more when he’s out but no, she doesn’t know when that will be.
The officer that gave us the siren and lights escort comes in with Granger’s keys and tells him where the truck is parked. Not that either of us will be needing it anytime soon. He also informs Granger the whole of Winter Lake sends their prayers and well wishes.
I want to scream.
The urge is so sharp, I have to bite my tongue.
Where were they when Warren was running down the street with a gun? Why did no one stop him?
Granger’s hand finds mine, squeezes gently. “He’ll be okay.”
“I know.” Nodding, I stare at the closed door, willing someone to come through it with news.
By the time a doctor pushes into the waiting room, my nerves are frayed and my patience gone. I’m on my feet rushing toward him before he’s two feet in.
“Where is he? Can I see him? How is he?”
“Mrs. Wallis?”
I nod, the name giving me pleasure in spite of the circumstances. “Yes, I’m Riley Wallis.”
“Your husband is out of surgery. The bullet sliced cleanly through his torso. We patched up the internal bleeding and sewed up entry and exit wounds. He’s resting comfortably but will be in and out of consciousness for the next few hours.”
“I don’t care. I want to see him. Can I see him? Now?” Hope is burning bright inside me but until I lay eyes on Felix myself, I can’t breathe easy.
“Yes.” The doctor glances behind me. “I’ll allow both of you to see him, but I’d prefer if only one of you stays.”
“I’ll go as soon as I’ve seen him,” Granger says. “I’ve got things to organize.”
“Okay. This way.”
We follow the doctor down the hall to an elevator that takes us two floors up. There we’re led to a corner room, the hallway wall all glass, Felix on the other side.
“Oh.” I suck in a breath. “He’s so pale.”
“His color will improve slowly. He’s still receiving blood, only another bag after that one.” The doctor nods at a nurse who rushes over. “Can you take care of Mrs. Wallis and…”
“Granger Wallis, Felix’s uncle.”
“Please, don’t look so worried,” the doctor says. “He’ll make a full recovery. If he’s awake tomorrow and manages to eat and drink on his own, he’ll probably go home the day after.”
“He was shot!” I say a little too loud.
The doctor’s mouth tips up on one side. “I’m aware.”
“Sorry. I know, it’s just…”
“I promise you, he’s on the road to recovery. As long as he doesn’t develop an infection, he’ll be fine.”
I want to believe this man so much. Want to trust he’s skilled enough to know what he’s talking about but until Felix is out of that bed and home, I don’t think I can. “I’d like to go in now.”
“As the doctor said, infection is our biggest concern now,” the nurse explains as she points toward a wash station. “If you’ll wash up, I’ll grab a couple of gowns.”
I want to laugh when she comes back and we slip into the protective wear. Granger’s is skin-tight and barely reaches his thighs. Mine is the opposite. I’m pretty sure I can wrap it around myself twice and it’s so long if I’m not careful, I’ll be tripping over the hem.
Covered to the nurse’s satisfaction, we’re ushered into the room.
It’s only when we’re inside that I really take in Felix.
He’s got several tubes attached and wires that go under his gown to his chest. The beep beep of the monitor gives me some relief.
But his eyes remain closed and his breathing is shallow. I can hardly see his body moving.
Granger pulls a chair over to the bedside and urges me into it. “Sit. Hold his hand. Talk to him.”
Sitting, I watch as he walks to the other side of the bed and leans down, presses a kiss to Felix’s forehead. “You got this, buddy,” Granger says against his skin. “You’ve done it before and you’ve got a lot worth fighting for.”
His words are low but I hear them clearly. Hopefully Felix can hear him. Hear the love in Granger’s voice.
Granger waits a few minutes then looks at me. “I’ll head out and sort out somewhere for us to stay.”
“I’m not leaving.” I sit forward, my hand tightening on Felix’s. “Not until he does.”
“Okay.” He nods. “I’ll come back later, bring you something to eat.”
“I’m not—”
“You need to eat. We both do. It does him no good if we don’t take care of ourselves.”
Granger’s words hold truth, although I doubt I can stomach anything right now. “I’ll try.”
“Eat.”
The whispered word has us both looking at Felix. His eyes are still closed but I swear… “Felix?”
The only thing we get is a hum. It’s followed by pressure on my fingers. And I smile. The first one since this morning.
“I’ll eat. Because I love you, Felix Wallis.”
“Love you. Riley Wallis.” His words are slurred but they’re real and with a grin, I stand up and press my lips to his scarred cheek.
“Love you more than I imagined possible.”
All I get is another hum before his hand goes limp in mine. But I’m not worried. He’s alive. He’s going to be fine. And he loves me.