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Soon enough, she’d see what true, everlasting love looked like.
22
Shelby
I rushed into the medical center with an hour to spare before visiting hours ended. My sister and brother were in the waiting room. My dad must have been with my mom.
“Shelby!” Olivia hopped out of her chair and hugged me with tears in her eyes.
“I was worried you wouldn’t make it in time to see her. Visiting hours end at eight,” Olivia cried. “Cade texted me you were on your way.” She pulled back and as she assessed me, the sadness on her face turned to rage. “What did he do to you?”
“Now isn’t the time,” I whispered. “How’s she doing?”
“She’s lucky to be alive.”
“There’s a lot of that going around today.” Martina hugged us both. “Shelby should go in and see Debra.”
“Right.” Olivia released me. “We’ll talk later.”
“Sure,” I lied and turned toward Holden to hug him next. “Hi, big brother. How are you holding up?”
“Better than you, it appears. What the hell happened to you?” He lifted my bandaged hand.
“It doesn’t matter.” I glanced at Cade, watching me like a hawk. “All that matters is Mom.”
“Shelby, you made it.” My dad entered the waiting room, and I went straight into his open arms. “I’m so happy to see you.” He gave me a gentle squeeze.
“Of course, I made it, Dad. I will always be here for my family.” Again, I glanced at Cade. I was channeling every ounce of strength not to collapse on the floor and cry like a baby. That man had always been rock steady. He’d worn his feelings on his sleeve and never lied. To tell me he loved me both warmed me and filled me with huge amounts of regret. I fucked up, plain and simple. I didn’t deserve his love, yet I wanted it more than my next breath.
“Well, then. Let’s go see your mama.” Dad guided me out.
I peered back at Cade as panic bolted through me.
He gave me a nod of understanding and followed us.
“You know, she’d have my head if I didn’t bring you to her the second you arrived,” Dad winked. “She’s gonna be all right, so no crying, sweetheart.”
“I’m just emotional, is all.” I dried my face with the sleeve of Cade’s cozy flannel shirt, hiding my injured hand, so no one saw it and questioned me. Foolishly, I hadn’t realized I had tears rolling down my face.
We stopped at room twenty-two.
“I’ll let you go in alone.” Dad opened the door. “If you need anything, Cade and I will be right here.”
Cade approached and touched my shoulder. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Thanks.” I blinked back tears. If my dad wasn’t watching us, I’d throw myself into Cade’s arms and kiss him. After everything I’d been through with Jake, I was desperate to forget what he’d done to me. I needed comfort and tenderness to feel safe. And Cade had been the only man to give me what I needed.
I went into my mother’s room and found her sleeping. She looked so fragile hooked up to the cardiac monitor and IV drip. Her blonde hair was loose around her face and her fair skin looked sallow. I hadn’t seen her look anything but vibrant and beautiful. She could’ve died…
My mama’s eyes opened and met mine.“My Shelby…” A small smile appeared on her sweet face.
“Mom… The thought of you leaving me, please, you just can’t.” And it happened despite my attempts to hold myself together. I dropped into the chair beside her and cried.
“I’m not going anywhere, baby girl. I promise. Is it wrong to say I’m happy you’re here?”
I smiled through my tears. “It’s never wrong to want your kids with you.”
“Are you okay, honey?” Mama studied me for a long second. Her tired eyes moved over my face, then stopped when she saw the bruise. The stupid concealer was the wrong shade and barely hid the purple. I swore she could read my thoughts and feel my pain.
