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.
