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“Are you the husband?” he asks.
I settle in front of them, cross my arms. “Not yet.”
Ruby’s brother, Max, glares. His hands are fisted at his side like he plans to beat the shit out of me.
Let him.
I have something more important to worry about.
Heart in my throat, I rasp, “How is she?”
Hesitating, the doctor looks at Ruby’s father. When he gets a quick nod of confirmation from the man, he says, “Ruby’s breathing on her own, which is all we can ask for right now. She’s currently sedated and in critical condition. She has an elevated heart rate and a cracked rib.”
I flinch.
My fault. I hate myself for hurting her.
As if reading my mind, the doctor says, “A broken rib will heal. You did the right thing. Getting her proper treatment was the most important.”
I swallow, blowing out a breath. “How—what happened to her?”
“Cardiac arrest. With her underlying heart condition combined with adrenaline, the emotional stress and smoke inhalation, her heart gave out.” His eyes scour my dirty clothes, his face twisting in sympathy. “I understand you had quite a night, Mr. Montgomery.”
For a brief second, I close my eyes, rage and pain sweeping over me.
DVL is fucking done.
“Will she be okay?” I ask, my voice breaking.
“If she makes it through the night, we’ll worry about the rest. Right now, we’re completing all the testing for brain activity while she’s out. But we won’t fully comment on her neurological function until she wakes up.” The doctor offers an apologetic smile. “A full recovery ...it’d be a miracle, Mr. Montgomery.”
I give a tight nod. “Good thing you got a girl in there who is one.”
The doctor considers this. “We’ll keep you updated.”
“Thank you.” I shake his hand.
The doctor walks down the hall, leaving us alone with Ruby’s father and brother. An uncomfortable tension falls over the waiting room.
Ruby’s father turns to me. “You.”
Behind me, Wyatt hitches a breath.
I meet his eyes. “Sir?”
I steel myself, terrified they’ll blame me when I already blame myself. Terrified they won’t let me see her. But I’ll fight them. I would love to see anyone try to stop me or even suggest I shouldn’t be by her side.
Tears sparkle in his eyes. “You’re Charlie? The cowboy my Ruby loves.”
“I am.” I tilt my head toward Ruby’s room. “She’s my entire life,” I tell her father. “Please. Don’t keep me from her.”
An eternity passes before he nods.
I’m already moving, but before I can enter Ruby’s room, Max blocks my path.
My hands flex into fists.
This close.
