“You think he’s dead?” She backed up. “Leo’s dead,” she cried out. “No, no, no. This can’t be happening. He can’t be gone. He said things would be different when he returned.”
“Addy, why don’t you contact Carol?” Kassie said, holding her friend and crying.
“Noo,” Catherine sobbed hysterically. “I can’t lose him now.”
Liam’s attention turned to Addy, who watched in horror as Catherine cried out in pain. Taking out his phone, he called Jake. “Catherine knows. She’s in her office with Kassie. Can you send Carol?”
“Maddie and Joe are bringing her now. They’ll be there any minute,” Jake informed him.
A minute later, Carol ran down the hall, hearing her daughter’s pain. Liam ran his hand through his hair as he listened to her misery.
“Mom, I’ve lost him. He’s gone. I’ll never get to tell him I love him again. My children have lost their father. Leo’s gone, Mom. How can I live without him?”
“Oh, baby,” Carol cried, holding her daughter.
Addy stood mechanically and backed out of the room. Liam knew he needed to get her away from the scene. He imagined she relived the day they told her about Sam. Her face appeared pale as she gazed up at him.
“Will you drive me to the facility?” he said softly.
He put his arm around her as he led her down the hall. Catherine’s wails drifted to them, causing patients to come out of their rooms. For once, Addy didn’t act like the nurse in charge. She acted like a woman in shock, stuck in the past.
He rushed her out to the SUV and took the keys from her. Driving them to the facility, everyone except Stormy met him there. Entering the kitchen, he listed everything the team needed.
“I’ll get this packed up. Do you want me to take it to the plane?” Archer asked.
“Yes. If you want, you can take it to the plane in the morning. I can hitch a ride with you. I’ll be spinning up at 0800. We can meet at 0600,” he said.
Addy turned to him. “What? What do you mean?”
“I have to return. They need my help. As soon as the doctor gives me his verdict, I’m heading back,” Liam said gently.
Archer and Bear discreetly left the room.
Addy stood. “You’re leaving? Leo’s most likely dead, three of your teammates, and a woman I’ve never met lie in the hospital. I’m supposed to send you off with a smile on my face?”
Liam reached for her. “Addy, he saved my life. I can’t leave him there.”
“He did it for a reason,” she shouted. “He gave you a chance to have a life.”
“I can’t sit here and twiddle my thumbs while my brothers and sisters are all in pain. Leo gave us all a second chance at something bigger than us.”
“I thought we felt like something bigger,” she whispered.
“You’re my world,” he said, standing.
“I can’t do this,” she said, shaking her head. “I can’t, Liam. I won’t sit and wait for someone to come to my door again. Did you see Catherine? She’ll relive every single moment they spent together. Every argument will be her fault. Every time she didn’t say I love you because the kids interrupted or a patient needed her, it will make her feel guilty.”
“Addy,” Liam said softly. “I can be hit by a bus or get in a car accident right here. We can’t live our lives in fear. Do you remember when we first met? You stopped living. The sad thing is, life goes on. We remember them for all the good things. Leo saved Kassie, and she built all this. I might’ve never gotten a cochlear implant if it weren’t for this hospital. I’ve never lied to you about how I am. This place has saved me. You love me. It’s more than I ever thought possible. It happened because of Leo.”
Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I’m sorry.” She turned and ran from the facility. Liam went after her, but she seemed hell-bent on leaving him.
Bear placed a hand on his shoulder. “I don’t know a lot about women. Addy lashed out because she’s scared. She needs you more than she knows. Since you left, she’s made friends here. She smiles more. I see her in town asking about the seniors. You need to remind her of what your love has done. It’s freed her. Whether you’re here or there, she’s found her place here.”
“Thanks, Bear. It seems to me you know more about them than you think,” Liam said, watching Addy leave.
Returning to the hospital, Liam met with the otologist.
“Everything appears fine. Let’s try to avoid exploding things, shall we?” the doctor said. “I’ll give you some ear drops if it appears sensitive for the next few days. If you experience any hearing loss, you must return right away.”
