Page 163 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Delaney looked at him, realizing he’d gone pale.

He nodded, his teeth clenched so tight a marble had formed in the corner of his jaw.

“It’ll be all right,” Delaney said giving him a reassuring smile as she touched his arm. He seemed to relax a fraction at her touch.

A nurse in her early twenties opened the side door. “Hi, I’m Judy. Come on back,” she said with a brisk smile. “You came at a good time,” she said, looking back at them over her shoulder as they followed her down the hall. “Miss Lou Ella’s awake.”

When they reached the room, Addie walked right in, but Corbin paused at the threshold. Delaney could feel the inner turmoil churning inside him, almost as though it were her own. She saw the flash of panic in his eyes. “You can do this.” She willed him to look at her. “I’ll be right beside you.”

He took in a deep breath, nodding.

“Look who came to see you,” Addie said in a high-pitched voice a volume too loud.

Delaney stepped into the room practically pulling Corbin with her. Her heart sank when she saw the frail woman lying in the bed. Lou Ella was a waif, probably not weighing a hundred pounds. Her silver hair was short, but so thin on top that only a few wisps covered her scalp. She turned to look at them, a blank expression on her face.

“It’s me and Corbin, Gram,” Addie said kindly.

Lou Ella clutched her nightgown. Her splotched, leathery skin was so paper-thin that the veins under her hand looked like a blue rake. Delaney looked at Corbin who had tears running down his cheeks. Tentatively, he moved to her bedside.

“Gram,” he uttered.

Tears bubbled from Addie’s eyes as she smiled. “I think she’s happy to see you. You should talk to her.”

Delaney stayed close to Corbin’s side.

“This is my girlfriend, Delaney,” Corbin said.

Delaney caught the look of surprise on Addie’s face, realized Corbin had called her Delaney again, instead of Dee. But it was better to let that slide right now.

“Hi, Lou Ella,” Delaney said softly. “Wallace told me what a remarkable woman you are.” Her voice hitched. “I know he was right because I can see how much your grandchildren love you.”

Lou Ella’s lower lip started working as she wound a hand around her nightgown. She seemed to be concentrating, like she was trying to remember something. “Applesauce,” she croaked.

“Do you want applesauce?” Addie asked, looking at Judy who was standing in the corner, as if to give them plenty of space and yet still be close enough to offer assistance if needed.

Judy stepped up. “Miss Lou Ella had applesauce this morning for breakfast, didn’t you?” She went to the bed and adjusted the pillows behind Lou Ella’s back. “Let’s help you sit up, so you can visit.”

“No,” Lou Ella cried out in annoyance, pushing Judy.

Delaney flinched, the outburst taking her by surprise. She looked at Corbin, could tell he was trying to hold it together. She rubbed her hand up and down his arm, hoping it would help soothe him.

“Now, Lou Ella,” Judy began in a cheerful tone. “Don’t hit.” She looked around the room, meeting everyone’s eyes. “She gets excited when she has visitors. Just give her a second to adjust.” She stepped back against the wall.

“I’m sorry.” Corbin’s voice grew strangled as he gulped and tried again. “I’m sorry I haven’t been here for you.” He looked at Addie. “I’m sorry I left you holding the bag.” Long pause. His shoulders shook. “I just couldn’t stand to see her like this.”

“I know,” Addie said, tears falling freely down her cheeks. She smiled slightly. “We all just get through it the best we can.” She turned to Lou Ella. “Gram, Corbin came to see you.”

Corbin stepped forward and ever so gently placed a hand over Lou Ella’s. For a second, it looked like she might yank her hand away. But instead she peered intently into Corbin’s face like she was searching for something. For an instant, the cloudiness in her eyes parted. Her mouth formed the word, a whisper of sound issuing out. “Cor?—”

“She knows,” Addie said, putting a hand over her heart. She laughed and cried at the same time. “She knows you’re here.”

In the next second, Lou Ella’s expression changed, going to anger, then fear as she jerked her hand from underneathCorbin’s. “Go away!” she yelled, pushing his arm with surprising strength.

Judy stepped up. “Now, Miss Lou Ella. Be nice,” she said in a soothing voice, like she was speaking to a child. She offered Corbin an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, but the heavy drugs make her irritable.”

Corbin frowned. “Heavy drugs?”

“For the pain,” Judy explained. “The doctors keep Miss Lou Ella sedated most of the time.”

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