Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 47521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
He drones on about the ins and outs of the surgery, and I know I should be paying better attention, but the only thing I need right now is to see him. I have to get to wherever he is.
I interrupt the doctor. “Can we see him now?”
He looks around the room and then back at Ryan and me. “Yes, two of you can go back at a time. He’s going to be groggy.” He points to the doors. “Down the hall. Room 117.”
I start walking, and Ryan stays right beside me. I hear the doctor talking to the other police officers, but once the door closes behind us, the only sounds are the beeps of machines as we pass by rooms. When we get to 117, I stop and shudder a breath. Ryan gently shoves me toward the door. “Go on, sweetie. I’m going to give you a few minutes.”
I shake my head. “No, he’ll want to see you.”
He nods knowingly. “And he will, but trust me. More than anything, he’ll want to see you right now.”
I push through the door, and the sight of him brings tears to my eyes again. He’s hooked up to all kinds of machines, and he’s so pale I hold my hand to my mouth to silence my whimper. He’s asleep, and I’m not going to wake him up. I open the door a crack and wave for Ryan to come in. “He’s asleep.”
Ryan sits down in one of the chairs, and I move across the room and lean against the wall. I watch Baker closely, counting between breaths, watching his chest rise and fall. I can’t take my eyes off him.
When he stirs in his sleep and moans, I move to his side. I lay my hand on his just because I have to touch him. I need to have my hands on him.
He opens his eyes, and when his brown eyes meet mine, I see the pain in their depths. He looks around in confusion. In a soft whisper, I tell him, “You’re going to be okay. You were shot. But you’re going to be okay.”
He nods and in a strangled voice he asks, “JB?”
Ryan comes up beside me. “He’s fine, son. He’s in the lobby waiting to see you.”
I squeeze his hand. “They said there can only be two back here at a time. I can go so he can come back.”
He turns his hand and laces our fingers together. “Don’t leave.”
I sob and nod my head.
All I can do is stare at Baker as he and his dad talk. There are so many things I need to say, but all I can do is look at him and be thankful that he’s still here with me.
CHAPTER 24
BAKER
I can see how worried my dad is. I know this is hard for him. He hasn’t been in a hospital since my mom died, and I’m sure this is bringing back memories for him. He’s not looking good. “You okay, Dad?”
He leans down and kisses the top of my head. “I am, son. I’m okay now that I know you’re okay.”
Cassie sobs, and I squeeze her hand. “I’m okay, Cass. Don’t cry, you’re going to get another migraine.”
And she cries harder. She’s apologizing as she ferociously wipes her face with the backs of her hands. “I’m fine. I’m going to get a tissue.”
I release her reluctantly, and she walks into the bathroom. I look at my dad. “You’re sure you’re okay?”
He sniffs too. “Yeah, I’m okay, son.”
Cassie comes back in the room with a box of tissues in her hand. It’s obvious she tried to stop crying, but the damage is done. Her eyes are red and swollen, and she’s squinting, which is a perfect tell that she’s getting a migraine. “You okay?”
She nods, leaning against the wall. My dad looks between the two of us. “I want you both to know that no matter what, I’m your dad. I’ll always be here for you both… no matter what.”
Groggily, I answer him. “I know that, Dad.”
He turns to Cassie, who is crying all over again. He says, “That goes for you too, sweetie.”
She walks over to my dad, and I watch as they hug. She’s so emotional, and it’s not going to help her with her headache. “Has she been like this the whole time?”
My dad blushes. “Well, I sort of panicked, and she had to drive me here. But yeah, once we got here and she found out you were okay, she’s been like this.”
I hold my hand out to her. “Come here.”
She walks to me, holding her hand out. “Get up here.”
She shakes her head. “I’ll hurt your—”
I cut her off. “Woman, quit arguing with everything I say. Please, get up here.”
She walks around to the other side, where I’m not injured, and she gently climbs into the bed. I pull her into my side, and she rests her head on my shoulder and her hand on my abdomen. I kiss the top of her forehead. “Close your eyes and try to rest.”