Page 48 of Laying it Bare on the Run

Despite my dismal mood, my lips curved into a small smile. I liked her.

“Why don’t we all take a seat and wait on news?” Cannon’s dad suggested.

Taking his advice, the five of us sat in the uncomfortable chairs and waited.

As the time ticked on, I grew more fidgety. However, anytime I wrung my hands in my lap, Joe would wrap his around them to settle my nervous movements.

After an undetermined amount of time had passed – it could have been days for all I knew – a young doctor wearing scrubs walked out into the waiting area, a grim look on his face.

My heart dropped into my stomach and began to dissolve in the acid there. My hand flew up to my mouth and a sob squeaked out.

Joe immediately wrapped me into a hug while Mr. Rush hurried over to the surgeon. “Any news on Cannon Rush? I’m his father.”

The young doctor’s expression shifted to confusion. “I’m sorry.” Then his face lit up with understanding and he shook his head. “Sorry, I was distracted. One of our machines is acting up and I can’t perform my surgery . . . you’re not looking for my concerns; you’re looking for a patient. Let me walk back and check on your son. What was the name again?”

“Cannon Rush.” His dad had more patience than I did at the moment.

I was ready to crawl out of my own skin, amazed a frustrated scream hadn’t torn from my throat. Joe’s arms around me was the only thing preventing me from falling apart.

A few minutes later, the young doctor returned. “Yes, he’s out of surgery and they actually have him in his own room now. I’m sorry no one was out to let you know that. We were a bit swamped . . . never mind again.” He offered us an apologetic smile.

“Can we see him?” I couldn’t keep the anticipation out of my voice.

“He’s a little groggy but it should be okay. Don’t stay long since there are quite a few of you and it’s after hours.” He motioned for us to follow him.

Wanting to sprint down the hall, I was vibrating with frustration at the snail’s pace I had to endure as we walked to his room.

When we arrived at his door, my hands shook as I shoved it open. I hurried inside and as soon as I saw Cannon lying in the hospital bed, the tears poured down my face.

When he saw me, he gave me a goofy grin. “Stop your crying, Baby, and get over here.”

I rushed to his bedside but eased up to lean down and wrap him loosely in my arms, my face in his neck. “Oh God, Cannon. I was crawling out of my skin waiting to see you. I was picturing the worst and couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened and what could’ve happened.” After giving him a quick kiss on his cheek, I released him and plopped down onto the chair by his bed. He wore a hospital gown, his leg was bandaged, and he looked a little washed out but he wasn’t as pale as he had been in the back of the ambulance. “Sorry. I’m hogging him and you all came to see him too.”

“You’re fine, Harper.” His mom walked over to his other side and patted his cheek before leaning in to give him a kiss. “You gave us a little bit of a scare. I know this family should be used to this by now but it never gets any easier.”

His dad came up behind her and reached around to pat Cannon’s good leg. “The story I got from your sergeant was your girlfriend took out the bad guy.” He smiled over at me and winked.

“Yeah, she’s pretty bad ass. I only gave you a little portion of her story but it’s enough that you guys can see what a strong brave girl I have.”

“Can I still come crash at your place when I need to?” Kaylie walked over to the end of the bed and pinched his toe.

“Not if you continue doing that. You know I hate that.” Cannon scowled at his sister.

“Yeah I do. Love you, big brother.”

A few new tears slipped down my cheeks at Kaylie’s comment. My emotions were so raw; between still processing everything that had just happened and the fact that the loss of my family was still pretty fresh. A complete breakdown was on the horizon.

“When you are moving around better, we want the two of you to come to our house for dinner. I know it may be a few weeks until you’re up for traveling.” His mom smiled down at him.

“We were talking about visiting before this happened. So we will definitely make plans to come. You can get to know her a little better then too.”

“Since we’re only an hour away, we’re going to head back home and then we’ll drive down to see you tomorrow or later today.” She glanced at her watch. “Do you need anything?”

“A big juicy cheeseburger and fries would be perfect. I worked up an appetite. Oh, and a nice cold beer.”

“Not exactly what I meant, but good try.”

A red headed nurse strolled into the room and when she walked toward Cannon’s bed, his mom stepped back to give her room to work. “You guys will need to head out. Visiting hours were over a long time ago. You can come back tomorrow after ten.” She pulled a blood pressure cuff out of the pocket of her smock and began taking Cannon’s vitals.

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