Page 47 of Wildest Forever

“Morgan?” I call out as I step to the entrance of her room and I see her sitting on her bed, all docile, fingers locked in front of her, eyes cast down.

I lean against the door frame as I look at her.

She looks so small.

“I'm going to pop up to the ranch, did you want to come for a drive?” I ask and her head lifts, red rimmed eyes bouncing between mine and I am waiting for her to decline my invitation, but she doesn't.

“Can you give me ten minutes to shower? Then if it's okay, I would really like to come with you,” her bottom lip trembles.

“Of course,” I smile at her, “I'll speak to Dusty, tell him to stay close to your grandad.”

She nods, pushing from the bed as she slips into her own bathroom that is adjoined to her room.

Glancing towards Gerry's room, I walk over quietly as I poke my head around and make sure he is still breathing.

“Rivera,” he rasps and I step into the room, hands rubbing together as I close the gap between the both of us.

I sit on the edge of the bed, and his breathing is rattled.

“She knew this day was coming,” he says as his glassy eyes drift to the door.

“I know,” I say softly because what else am I meant to say to him, “but it doesn't make it any easier,” I slip in just as his sights are on me.

He sighs heavily.

“I am going to try and get her to let Carlos get some nurses in, help her out...”

He smirks.

“Good luck,” he winks at me, and I chuckle lightly.

“I don't want her to burn herself out, what with the ranch, keeping on top of chores...” my own eyes move to the door. “I will help out where I can but she is a proud lady... she doesn't want to be seen as being helpless.”

“Exactly that,” his hand reaches for mine as he places it on my wrist, “just give her time, and you're going to have to makethe call with Carlos and the nurses because she won't like that... but once they're here, once she sees how quick I am going to deteriorate...”

“Gerry,” I say softly, shaking my head.“She would rather be with you in your last days. I agree on the nurses, but, she won't just step away.”

He grumbles.

“I'm going to take her up to the ranch, she is going to need family around her over the next few weeks, I don't want her to feel any more isolated than what she is feeling now so I will arrange to get Dusty to sit with you whilst we're gone.”

He nods, eyes casting to the door.

“You promise you'll look after her?” he doesn't look at me and my breath catches in the back of my throat as his fingers tighten around my wrist.

“Always.”

“You're not going to run away when it gets tough are you?” his brows raise as he rolls his head around to face me.

Shaking my head, “No sir.”

“She is going to need you more than ever and trust me, you'll be the worst person to her, she'll push you away but just don't give up on her.”

I say nothing. Just listen.

These thoughts have already crossed my mind so I know exactly where he is going with this.

“I need to know that you're in this for the long run, that this is going to be your home now... with her, until death do you part...”

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