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Honestly, I’m not sure he’s capable, and that’s very, very sad. My heart hurts for him, and the lonely life he’s living. I was on that path, and Ryder saved me. I’ve never been so glad to detour my life.
I’ve been home for almost a week, and Ryder and his family have been in rotation to sit with me during the day. Me and Tucker. That was a huge surprise. We got home Monday, and I heard barking. Ryder just grinned, got me settled on the couch, and walked out of the room. He came back with Tucker in his arms, the tiny fur ball licking at his face.
I cried. Happy tears. I was too overcome with emotion to speak. He explained that the Sunday after our trip to the animal shelter, he called Miss Dorothy and set up the adoption. Tucker was supposed to be my welcome home surprise the following weekend. He still was. There was just a delay. In a way, it’s better. The comfort that this little fur ball brings me is immense.
Apparently, Maverick and Merrick, who still live together, took care of him while I was in the hospital. Ryder barely left my side. Just long enough to come home and shower before picking me up whatever food I was craving that day, and rushing back to sit at my bedside.
“Yo, J! Where are you?” I hear a voice call out.
“Kitchen!” I call back. Heavy footsteps head my way.
“Woman, what in the hell are you doing up?” Brooks eyes me—I’m standing next to the patio door in the kitchen.
“I have my scooter.” I nod down to the scooter that lets me place my knee on the seat and push off with the other to get around the house.
“You knew I was coming over. You could have waited.” He scowls at me.
“I’m fine. I just needed to let Tucker outside. Besides, I can’t just sit on my ass for the next several weeks. I’ll turn into a bloated couch potato.”
“You can and you will. It’s called healing.” He gives me a stern look that I’m sure he’s perfected dealing with difficult patients being an emergency room nurse.
“That’s the nurse in you.” I smile so he knows I’m teasing him.
“Maybe a little, but it’s more the brother in me.” He winks, returning my smile.
My heart melts at his words.
I miss my brother so much, but I’ve gained eight, nine if you count Ramsey’s husband, Deacon, to help stand in for the brother I lost. “Oh, no, you don’t, Brooks Kincaid. You cannot pull that wink on me. I’m immune.”
“Riiiight.” He laughs. “That’s what my wife says too. I know it’s the hair.” He runs his hand through his locks, which I admit is sexy. However, I still roll my eyes. The ladies have warned me. You give these Kincaid men an inch and they’ll take fifty miles.
“Come on, you. Let’s get you settled, and I’ll wrangle fluffy into the house.”
“Tucker,” I remind him.
He grins and places his hand on the small of my back as if he’s afraid I might wreck my scooter and walks with me back to the living room. I’m surprised to see Palmer and a grinning Remi on the love seat.
“Hey,” I greet them. “I get the whole family today?”
Brooks lifts me into his arms and transfers me to the couch. I huff and he shrugs.
“I wanted to see how you were feeling,” Palmer explains.
“You saw me two days ago when it was your turn to watch me.”
“We’re not watching you, Jordyn. We’re taking care of you. You need the help, and we have enough people to do it. We care about you.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’m not used to having so many people who care.”
“We’re a lot,” she agrees. “But we mean well, and we’ll have your back, always. Now, how are you feeling?”
“I feel good. Not as sore. My leg doesn’t hurt much, unless I bump it or something.”
“Which is why you need to stay on the couch.” Brooks gives me a pointed look.
“This is nice,” Palmer says, kicking her feet up on the table.
“What’s nice?” Brooks asks her.
“You fussing over someone who’s not me.” She rubs her very pregnant belly.
I burst out laughing, which makes Remi laugh as well. “I’m going to grab the groceries and make lunch. You ladies, all three of you, behave.” He points at each one of us, trying to be stern and failing before he walks back outside.
“Real talk. How are things?” Palmer asks.
I nod, because I know what she’s asking. I’ve been open with all of them about my guilt over the accident. “Okay. The guilt is still heavy.” I rub at my chest as if I can feel the responsibility of the accident that took my mother like it’s a real tangible being.
“You didn’t cause the accident, Jordyn.”
