Page 120 of No Place for Single Cowboys

It wasn’t amess. It was his father. God, Chance had to be completely breaking up inside. He’d act like he wasn’t, but his heart must be shattering.

“Chance, you can’t?—”

“The ambulance is on the way. I’m serious, don’t leave the house. I probably won’t be?—”

The call cut off.

Cordy had no idea what to do. Her heart was beating so hard she felt sick. Poor Chance, poor Holden—her breath caught on a sob. She wanted to collapse on the couch. She wanted to run after Chance and be there for him. She wanted Holden to come through this. She wanted that desperately.

“What can I do?” Cordy started to pace. “Ruby. I can call her.”

It went straight to voicemail when she tried Ruby’s number. Right, because it was the middle of the school day. Her fingers shaking, Cordy looked up the number for the school, suddenly grateful there was only one in Star Crossed Springs. She wouldn’t have to waste time trying to figure out which school.

“Star Crossed Springs Unified,” a brisk male voice answered. “How can I help you?”

“Um, I need to get a message to Ruby Kessal.” Cordy pressed her fingers against her forehead. “She teaches second grade.”

“Yes, I know. Who is this?”

“I’m Cordelia Johnson, I tend bar at the Swing Inn. Please, this is important.”

“Oh yes, Pierce is always talking about you. You’re Reed’s…” The man coughed. “Well, you know. What message should I give her?”

“Holden had a heart attack, and they’re taking him to the hospital.” Cordy had no idea how to say that gracefully. It was blunt and awful, but so was the entire situation.

“Holden Kessal? Oh my God! What happened?”

Cordy’s mouth dropped open. Oh no, what had she done? By telling this man, had she told the entire town? What would Chance say?

“I’m not entirely sure,” she said slowly. “They were out in the fields, and the ambulance came…” Her voice broke. “Ruby needs to call Quint. He needs her.”

Cordy hung up before she lost it entirely. Quint would be desperate to have Ruby by his side. He loved her, even if they had things to work out.

Chance, though, Chance didn’t want Cordy there at all.

If there was any question about Chance being in love with her, he’d brutally answered it today. No, no, andno.

Well, he didn’t owe her his heart. But he had helped Cordy when she didn’t have anyone, so she’d do the same for him. And stay put like he’d asked.

Cordy went through the rest of her contacts, trying to figure out who she could call. Lane and Bowie needed to know, but she didn’t have their numbers. Someone else might have them, but Cordy didn’t want to be spreading the news about Holden. It didn’t feel like her place.

She was still scrolling when Ruby called fifteen minutes later.

“Hey.” Ruby’s voice was a pale echo of itself, washed out by exhaustion. “I already talked to Quint. I’m on my way to the hospital.”

Cordy wouldn’t let herself be jealous. Of course, Ruby should be there; she was Holden’s daughter-in-law.

“Is there any update?” Cordy asked.

“Holden’s alive and awake. They’ll know more once they get to the hospital, but it’s a good sign.”

“Thank God,” Cordy said fervently. “Should I be doing something?”

“You’ve got a baby, and there’s nothing you can do.”

Because she wasn’t part of the family, not like Ruby was. Cordy was only a temporary houseguest.

If Chance had wanted her there, he would have said so. He’d specifically told her to stay away. Her place in his life, in his heart, couldn’t have been more clear.

---