Page 52 of Baked

Rachel nodded, not really sure what else to say. Luckily, she didn’t have to think on it too long, because she was saved by the doctor, who had managed to sneak up on them.

“Campbell family?” He looked questionably between them.

Heather was the first to reply. “Yes, I’m Hunter’s mother.”

After pleasantries were exchanged, Dr. Philips went on to detail Hunter’s surgery. From what she understood, they’d managed to remove the bullet and close the wound. Even though he’d lost a lot of blood and they’d had to perform a transfusion, he hadn’t suffered any internal damage.

Technically, everything the doctor was saying was good news. He rattled off positive buzzwords like “responding well” and “signs of improvement,” but the knot in Rachel’s stomach continued to twist. Getting so tight, it was going to be hard to unravel.

“Yes, you can go in and see him,” Dr. Philips confirmed. “But only one at a time, please.” The doctor scanned the waiting room before continuing. “I think today, we should keep the visits to family only. He’s not long out of surgery and needs as much rest as possible. I don’t want him overexerted.”

Rachel’s heart sank. Family only.

She wanted to protest and was about to when Heather’s palm came to her bicep. “You go in first, Rachel. I’m sure you’re the only person he wants to see right now anyway.”

“Really?” Rachel breathed, her eyes no doubt widening in shock.

“Yes, dear. You go on ahead. I’ll go in after.”

She wasn’t about to argue. So she went. Quickly. Without looking back, in case his mother changed her mind.

It was only when she reached the hospital room door that she hesitated. She could already hear the machines beeping, and the smell of disinfectant, which had been stuck in her throat ever since she’d arrived, seemed more potent.

You can do this. He needs you. And you need to see for yourself that he’s okay.

Clicking open the door, Rachel warily entered, her gaze immediately going to the machines he was hooked up to, then slowly traveling to his IV drip, before finally settling on his face. His handsome and very tired face, which all the color had been leached from.

His eyes remained closed as she approached. It was only when she sat in the chair next to his bed that they fluttered open.

“Honeybun,” he croaked. “Are you okay?”

He tried to turn his head toward her, but it wasn’t cooperating. It only made her heart ache more.

“AmIokay? Areyouokay, sugar?” Her hand covered his arm. She had to touch him. Remind herself he was still here. Alive. Breathing.

“Don’t worry about me, honeybun. I’m gonna be fine. Doc says I’ll be good to go in a couple of days.”

Good to goher ass. Google had already told her otherwise. He was looking at a minimum of six weeks recovery. But now was not the time to debate recovery times. Now was the time to thank God he was going to be okay.

She did that in the form of a cuddle. A slightly restricted cuddle where she was more or less just lightly pressing herself against him. But it was what she needed. What they both needed.

“I love you, baby,” Hunter whispered into her neck.

“I love you too, Hunter.”

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