“Hi, Aggie. I’m sorry. I should have called you. There’s so much—”
“Jack’s alive?”
“That seems to be the case.” Tears well in my eyes and I try to hold them back. “I don’t really have the whole story, but Wyatt said he used a cadaver for the accident and then fled. He got money and fake IDs from somewhere.”
“Oh my gosh, honey.” She is crying, her voice is wobbly and I can hear her sniffling. “How are you doing?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t let myself process anything. We’re at the hospital with Wyatt because Jack shot him and the bullet hit his cheek.” I’m speaking as if it’s just another day. The emotions are trying to creep in but I won’t let them. I won’t break down here at the hospital while Wyatt is in pain. “How is Lily? Have you gone to the inn?”
“I’m here now, Liam has her in the riding ring with one of the gentler horses. She’s riding like she always asks to.”
A smile graces my face. Even though I’m sad to be missing it, I’m happy that this day won’t hold any bad memories for her, only good ones.
“Thank you, Aggie. I’m going to go back in and talk to the doctors with Cooper. I see them together now.”
“Oh yes, go! Let us know what’s happening. Anna is on her way.”
Anna is going to hate me. All of this will be for nothing because she isn’t going to want me anywhere near her family.
My breaths are coming short and shallow now. The panic is taking hold of my chest and squeezing tight. I step backward until the rough feel of the concrete podium hits my back.
I slide down, letting it scrape my back.
“Miss, are you okay?” A sweet older lady stops in front of me.
I nod. Not having the words to answer her, but pulling myself together long enough to take five deep breaths and ground myself.
Just when I think she left me so I could calm down on my own, Cooper walks outside.
“Someone is concerned for you. I told the nurses we didn’t need a wheelchair and you didn’t need to be triaged.” His eyes roam over me. “But now I’m second guessing that. Do we need to get them?”
“No. I’m fine.” Reaching up to him, “Help me up?”
Tugging on my hand, I stumble into his chest. “You sure you don’t want them? I bet Wyatt would be good company later. He’s going to be on some heavy duty pain meds. I bet the comedian will shine through.”
“I’m good. I’d rather just be a guest.”
“Cooper!” Anna yells, running up to us completely out of breath.
“Hi, Ma. How many laws did you break to get here this fast?” He holds on to me with one hand and hugs his mother with the other.
“You hush. There are no laws when my baby boy is hurt. What did the doctors say?”
With an arm around each of us, Cooper ushers us inside. “They took him back for surgery. They want to fix the nerve damage to give him the best possibility of recovery and make sure there isn’t more severe damage.”
“Oh, that boy. When are you all going to stop giving me gray hairs?”
He pulls her in for a hug. “Never, Ma. If you stop gettin’ em it means you don’t love us anymore.”
She rolls her eyes before taking the seat next to me. “Sweetheart, how are you holding up? Please forgive me for being so rude.”
My mouth falls open. “Rude? No. I don’t blame you if you never want to see me again. This is all my fault. I did this to Wyatt.”
Cooper’s eyes bounce between both of us. “I think I’m going to let you get yelled at while I go get coffee.” He kisses the top of both our heads and looks at Anna before walking away. “Go easy on her, Ma.” Then he tosses a wink in my direction before leaving.
“Young lady.” Her stern voice gets my attention back on her. “You absolutely will not do this. You are not at fault. Nolan and Jack are at fault. This is Wyatt’s job. He’s a frequent flier here and I’ve had to get used to it. I used to sit here and bite my nails until they bled. I’m worried for him of course, but if I wasn’t whisked back right away, and I know this from experience, I’ve learned to not worry too much.”
“But if it weren’t for me…”
