Page 87 of Lay Down the Law

EPILOGUE

Nick paced the surgical waiting area for what seemed like the hundredth time. A dozen cups of coffee churned in the pit of his stomach, and every nerve in his body snapped like live wires. If one more nurse came through those double doors without any news, he thought he might explode. Stephanie had been in the operating room for nearly two hours, and he’d worried every second with agonizing intensity.

“Chief.”

He jumped at the sound of Mrs. Thornsberry’s voice. “What is it, Em?” he asked irritably.

“I’m going down to the cafeteria for coffee. Do you want me to bring you back a cup?” she asked.

“Only if it’s got a doctor attached to it,” he snapped. “What on earth is taking so long?”

“It’s only been two hours—”

“Is he causing you problems, Em?”

Even through the stress and tension of Stephanie’s surgery, Nick’s heart soared at the sound of Erin’s voice. He turned, and as usual, felt all his blood spiral into a slow, rolling free fall. “McNeal.”

The two women exchanged knowing smiles, then Mrs. Thornsberry started for the elevator down the hall.

Erin walked into the waiting area and faced Nick. “The name is Ryan now, Chief. You’re going to have to stop calling me by my maiden name.”

He looked into the green depths of her gaze and felt the knot in his gut begin to unravel. That was all it took for him these days. A touch. A word. A smile. And the instant he held her in his arms, he knew everything was right with the world.

“She’s going to be fine,” Erin told him.

“Dr. Brooks should have finished by now.”

“Dr. Brooks is the best neurosurgeon in the state.”

Even in uniform, she took his breath away. They’d been married for less than a month, and he still couldn’t get enough of her. Judging by the amount of love jammed into his heart, Nick figured he never would.

The need to feel her in his arms had him reaching for her. “Come here. I need to hold you.”

Smiling tentatively, Erin stepped into his embrace. Nick closed his eyes and held her, felt another knot of tension unravel. “You’re just what the doctor ordered,” he murmured.

“I’m glad I could oblige,” she said. “Maybe we could work in a little physical therapy later….”

“Ah, McNeal, you always know just where to hit a guy.”

Cocooned within his embrace, she sighed. Nick knew the signs, and asked, “What is it?”

“Not now. Not when Stephanie—”

“Erin.” Easing her to arm’s length, Nick put his palm beneath her chin and forced her gaze to his. “Talk to me.”

“For some reason Steph’s operation made me think about Danny. I still can’t believe he was dirty. That he lied to me. Betrayed me…for money. It still hurts.”

“I know, honey. I’m sorry.”

“But even after what he did to me—all the anguish he put me through—I can’t bear the thought of him going to prison.”

“Frank said his lawyer is already working on a deal with the D.A. He probably won’t do prison time. Probation, maybe. Or community service.” Nick wasn’t sure yet how he felt about that, since Danny Perrine had nearly gotten her killed, but he knew it would make Erin happy, so he’d come to terms with it.

The sound of the double doors opening spun them around. Nick’s heart stopped at the sight of Stephanie’s doctor, still clad in his green surgical scrubs.

Erin stepped forward. “How did it go?”

“The operation was successful,” Dr. Brooks said. “We did a preliminary reflex test a few minutes ago, and she moved her right foot. That’s a good sign this early in the game. We’ll know more after she comes around—”