AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I only want you, but a man can only take so much.” I splayed my hand across her back. Deep down, all I’d wanted was to push her so she’d realize she loved me too. “Is that what you want? For me to sign them?”
Her grasp on my jacket nearly ripped the fabric as her chest rose and fell in a pronounced rhythm.
“Don’t you dare.”
She rolled up on her toes and smashed her lips to mine. My back hit the wall when she pushed. Her kiss stunned me, but not near as much as her words.
She wanted to be my wife.
I cradled her head as her lips trailed up my jaw.
I can do anything I set my mind to. Don’t you forget it.
There was no chance I’d ever forget that fact about Mulaney Jacobs. Because she did . . . anything she set her mind to, she did. And it was one of the reasons I loved her so darn much.And always will.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Mulaney
“Mr. Jacobs?”
A man in a white lab coat and dark slacks approached, and my father and grandfather both got to their feet.
“What’s the verdict, Doc?” Granddaddy asked after he shook the younger man’s hand. No nonsense. Straight to business.
“Cerebral thrombosis.” Granddaddy looked at him expectantly, silently asking him to speak in terms we could understand. The doctor cleared his throat. “Your wife has a blood clot in her brain, sir.”
I gasped, and Granddaddy paled. I was instantly by his side, clutching his arm.
“What’s the prognosis? How serious is this?” My voice shook, and I was grateful when I felt two warm bodies at my back as my brothers closed in on us.
“It’s moderate. The good news is that Mrs. Jacobs received medical attention rather promptly. We’ve done a brain scan, located the clot, and administered medication to break it up. At this point, it’s not severe enough to require surgery.”
Thank God.
“Can we see her?” I asked, and a big pair of hands clamped down on my shoulders to steady me when I swayed.
“That’s not possible for at least the next twenty-four hours. She needs as little stimuli as we can provide so as not to agitate her. I will allow Mr. Jacobs a few minutes with her, to reassure her and keep her calm.”
I leaned against my brother. “Is she awake yet?”
“Not yet. The minor swelling in her brain has diminished, so that’s a positive sign. We’ll keep her on an IV and monitor her condition closely for any other clots that may form.”
“There could be more than one?” I asked warily.
“It is possible, though I’d say it’s not likely, given her symptoms seem to be improving. Because of her age, we’d like to keep her here a few extra days once she wakes and stabilizes.” The doctor remained calm under the pressure of my inquisition. “Here’s my card. If you have any further questions, you can phone me at any time.” He handed Granddaddy the business card.
“I’d like to see her now,” Granddaddy said hoarsely.
“Of course. Come with me, sir.” The doctor started to leave, but turned with an afterthought. “I’d suggest all of you get some rest. Mrs. Jacobs is in excellent hands, and we’ll let you know if there are any changes.”
“The hell I’m leaving here,” I grumbled to his back. When Ruby woke up, I’d be damned if I was anywhere else but here.
Stone grasped my shoulders. “It’s not bad advice. He just doesn’t know how this family is.”
We resumed our positions in the uncomfortable chairs that had a cotton ball for padding. I slid down until my head hit the back of the chair.
“Um, Mr. Jacobs?” A nurse approached my brother hesitantly, her eyes darting around at the rest of us. So help me God, if she asked for an autograph while Ruby was in this shape, I’d cause a fuss the likes of which this hospital had never seen.
