Page 55 of At Last

“I’m good.” Trish insists. Brother’s done good choosing wives. “What are we looking at?”

I run down the list Talmouth gave me for the women, Caitlin’s friends. All three listen while holding back tears. So I repeat Talmouth’s other words. “It coulda been worse.”

“You want me to bring Jade back to the compound? I’ll sit with her at your house.” Though Elise’s offer is kind, I need my girl safe with me.

“Nah, thanks. I got her.”

“That little girl is lucky to have you. Will you keep an eye on Gun? I’ll run and grab some coffees. What would Jade want?”

“No soda.” I clear my throat, thrown from Elise’s comment. “Her mom don’t like her to have soda. Juice, or chocolate milk or even a hot chocolate if you can find some ice to cool it off.”

She smiles, which I choose to ignore because that woman thinks she knows me so well. And what she thinks she knows is probably right. Boss has got his hands full with that one.

I wait next to a sleeping Gunner until his mom returns with a tray of coffees, then I move to the chair on the other side of Peaches. She seems content to watch her movie, but leans her head against my arm as she does. Damn if that little girl don’t carve out another large piece of my heart with such a simple act.

These Brimstone old ladies—even by association since Tommy ain’t a brother—prove just how brimstone they are, settling in for the long haul with me and Peaches.

My brothers’ text updates on the Jesse-accident situation periodically, and inquiries as to Doc’s condition, others. After several hours, a doctor different from Talmouth, walks into the waiting room.

“Anyone here for Caitlin Brennan?”

“Here.” I stand, walking over to her.

“We’ve moved her to a room. She’s sleeping but you’re welcome to go see her. Follow me.”

“Hold on.” I order. She pauses, but don’t look happy about it. I don’t give a fuck what she’s happy about and pluck Peaches and her blanket from the chair, up into my arms. She still has her headphones on and tablet in hand. Only then do we join the doctor.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see the other three women, Elise with Gun, of course, scramble to follow us. And I should wait for ’em, but I got to see my woman.

To say it’s a shock to see her laying unmoving, eyes closed, only slightly less gray than when they pulled her from the truck, fuck, that’s the understatement of the day. Guess I figured once they stopped the bleeding, she’d pink back up. Well, as much as Doc pinks without embarrassment.

Seeing a woman I care about looking lifeless in a hospital bed, it could be four years ago. “Fuck,” I whisper, stumbling a step back, held up by three other amazing women.

Maryanne lifts Peaches from my arms as Trish orders points her finger toward the door. “We got her. Go have a smoke.”

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