Page 69 of Rescuing Mary

“Hi. Emily’s at the hospital. She started bleeding this morning and Fletch called an ambulance.”

“Shit. Where are you?”

“I’m on my way.”

“Slow down.”

Mary blinked in surprise. “How do you know I’m speeding?”

“Because I know you. Just take a deep breath and try to relax. You getting there three minutes faster isn’t going to change anything. I’d rather you slowed down and got there safely.”

Now Mary was blinking back the tears that had formed in her eyes. How like Truck to be more worried about her than Emily. Sure, Rayne and the others cared about her and wanted her to be careful, but Truck’s caring was different. “Okay. Are you coming?”

“Of course I’m coming,” Truck said, sounding exasperated now. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“I just…all the women are going to be there. And Annie’s already there. I know it’s all still kinda weird for you, and I didn’t want you to be uncomfortable being around everyone at the same time.”

“Are you going to be there?”

“Uh…yeah. I already told you I was on my way.”

“Then I’m going to be there,” Truck said with conviction.

His words settled in her stomach and spread throughout her body with a warmth she’d never felt before.

She wanted to tell him that she loved him. That no one had cared about her as much as he did in her entire life, but she couldn’t. She physically couldn’t say the words. Saying them opened herself up to being hurt, and Mary wouldn’t do that. Couldn’t.

Clearing her throat to try to push away the urge to cry, Mary said, “I know you don’t like hospitals. I’ll be okay.”

“I need to jump in the shower real quick,” Truck said, ignoring her attempt at giving him an out. “I was working out when you called, but I’ll be there in half an hour or so. If something happens, call me.”

“I will,” Mary said, happier than she could put into words that he was coming.

“Drive safe, baby. I’ll see you soon.”

“Okay.”

“I’ve missed you.”

Mary smiled. “It’s only been like a day and a half since we’ve seen each other.”

“A day and a half too long. Later.”

“Bye, Truck.”

Mary clicked off the Bluetooth on her steering wheel and shook her head. She missed Truck too. It was crazy. She was independent, had always lived by herself. But she’d gotten used to having him around before his accident. His presence in her life made her feel calmer, less defensive about the world in general. They used to sit together in the same room and not even talk, which was peaceful, and Mary would catch herself looking up every now and then, just to make sure he was still there.

He was comforting. Generous. Relaxing. But more than that, he made her feel safe. Growing up, she’d hadn’t felt that way. She never knew if the uncles would try to get in her room and treat her like they did her mama. Once she was eighteen and kicked out of the house, she didn’t feel safe because she didn’t have a place to live. And even after finding space of her own, none of her apartments had ever felt completely safe. Maybe that was a result of her upbringing, maybe it was because she was a single woman. But she’d gotten used to the feeling.

Being with Truck made her feel as though she didn’t need to look over her shoulder. She didn’t need to get up and check to make sure the door was locked, because he’d already done it. She didn’t need to worry about pulling the curtains, because Truck closed them as soon as it got dark outside. He slept on the side of the bed that was closest to the door, putting himself between her and anyone who might enter.

He had his faults. He was too bossy. Too used to getting his way. He hogged the remote and had a habit of blowing his nose in the shower, which was just disgusting. But those were all little things. Everything else he did more than made up for his quirks. Besides, Mary knew she had way more annoying habits than he did…and he put up with all of them.

Ten minutes later, Mary pulled into the hospital lot. She hurried toward the entrance and took a deep breath before entering. After all she’d been through, she really didn’t like hospitals. They brought back so many bad memories, but she pushed through them, knowing Annie was inside and worried about her mom and her little sibling.

Without bothering to ask the receptionist where she should go, Mary headed for the elevator. She remembered where the obstetrics waiting room was from when she’d come here after Kassie had her baby, but this time she was alone in the elevator.

After arriving on the correct floor, Mary strode toward the waiting area. This time it wasn’t filled with happy, laughing people. The second she entered, Annie popped out of the chair she’d been sitting in and ran over to her, throwing her arms around Mary’s waist and burying her face in her belly.