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I stop in my tracks, sucking in a breath. Releasing the door, I rush to Anna-Beth’s bedside. Hoping, wishing she’d open her eyes. She looks as though she’s asleep but the beep of machines and the breathing machine in operation lassoes around my chest and tugs me right back into my reality. Her eyes remain closed as I gently take her hand.
The dam of emotions I’d been keeping at bay rush through me, so I drop to my knees, my head resting on our hands. Each sob ripping right through me, opening a new wound every single time. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper while tasting fresh salty tears. “I’m so sorry for everything. Ruby is beautiful.” I hiccup then inhale a deep breath.
“I wish you would wake up that this was all just a bad dream. I need you here to help me with the girls. They need their momma and I need you.” I drag a hand down my face but never let her go. Rising on wobbly legs, I study her face, wanting to remember every single detail of her. Her usual pink cheeks and lips are now dull. I’ll never look into those beautiful eyes again. Hear her familiar sweet voice or have her fill a room with laughter.
Leaning over I place a kiss on each cheek, one on the forehead and one on her lips. “I love you, Anna-Beth, and I always will. You are the mother of our daughters and the love of my life. You’re going to live on in other people and give them life. You were always so thoughtful and giving.” Fresh tears drop and land on the sheets.
I take a seat and stay with her until a gentle knock comes. Dread pools within my stomach, I’m not ready. My body trembles as the door opens. Reuben steps in, his face crumbles the moment his eye land on Anna-Beth. But he’s not alone. The same doctor from the emergency room also enters.
“Mr. King, I’m sorry. It’s time. Would you like to walk with her?”
I nod, not wanting to let go of her hand just yet. Reuben comes and stands beside me, tears glistening on his cheeks.
The doctor turns and says something in a hushed tone, then a group of nurses come in and do I don’t even know what, but then we are walking out the door. Down a small corridor that soon opens into a wider one.
I inhale a sharp breath when I see the corridor lined with hospital workers. Uncontrollable sobs pour from me. Reuben steadies me as we walk to the looming doors that I can’t pass through.
The bed comes to a stop.
I turn to Anna-Beth, my love.
Leaning over, I place one last kiss on her soft lips. “I love you. Forever. Goodbye, beautiful.”
Eleven Months Later
AS I DRIVE DOWN THEwinding road, the main house comes into focus—its brick exterior with slightly faded white beams on the patio. Large, neatly trimmed hedges surround it. I swallow the lump forming in my throat. I can’t believe I’m finally back here. The smell, this place, the memories begin to swallow me. I push them aside for now and focus on pulling up and getting out of the car when the time comes.
Am I going to be welcomed back, or will they all still hate me for what I did?
Coming up to the final stretch of the long driveway, I head up a slight incline. People are roaming around the ranch with wide and vibrant smiles lighting up their faces. Bodies move from one stable to another, some carrying bales of hay and others leading horses from a trailer. My body trembles and overwhelming fear takes hold of my chest.Keep going. Keep going. The hardest part is nearly over.
All eyes turn to me as I drive slowly past everyone. I can’t bring myself to stare back. My aim is to get to the homestead and hopefully be allowed to stay.
Finally, I pull up at the house and kill the engine. Before I can even contemplate getting out of the car, my door flies open, and I stare into the hazel eyes of Hudson, my oldest and super-protective brother.
“Delilah?” There’s shock in the word.
“Hey, Hudson.” I unbuckle my belt and climb from my car. He moves back. His wide eyes travel up and down my body.
“Get in here.” Before I can protest, he takes my arm and pulls me against him. His familiar scent of pine, hay, and horse brings a smile to my face. “It’s so good to see you again. It’s been too long.”
“At least someone is happy to see me,” I mutter as I pull away from his embrace and stare up at him. He’s aged well over the years. “What’s with this?” I reach up and rub my palm over the stubble he has growing.
He chuckles. “Hey, I look rugged and handsome, according to Odette.”
“She likes to build up your ego any way she can.”
“Come on. Let’s get you settled. What’s brought you home?” he hesitantly asks.
“Isn’t Dad unwell? That’s the information I got.”
Hudson’s brow furrows as those familiar eyes take me in. “Dad’s fine. Who’s giving you that information?”
“Damn, Isla,” I mutter.
Hudson laughs, nudging me on the shoulder. “She got you good.”
I think back to my last conversation with Isla when she gave me this misinformation. Deep down, I felt as though she might have been lying to me. That’s where Olive is right now—with Isla—and boy, do I miss my little sidekick. I guess my breakdown a week ago forced her into this lie.
