Page 78 of Wildest Forever

Moving back to where Morgan is, she is staring out the window, shoulders shaking gently as she cries silent tears.

I suppose it doesn't matter whether you are prepared for a death or not, it never makes it easier.

“Babe,” there's that word again, “they're going to be taking your pops now...” I trail off and I feel my own throat thickening as I swallow down the burning lump that has formed there.

Her blotchy face turns to face me and her lip trembles.

Holding out my hand for her, she stands slowly and carefully as she makes her way towards me and once her hand is in mine, I tug her into my chest and hold her tightly when the sounds of footsteps approach.

Her head is turned away, my hand on the back of her head as I gently hold her in place.She didn't need to see this.

One of the smartly dressed men move outside and within minutes he is back, a steel gurney waiting at the bottom of the porch and folded up thick material hung over his arm.

I knew what that was and I felt sick to my stomach.

He is back upstairs but not for long, the bottoms of their soles hit the steps slowly and steadily as they bring her pops down.

Carlos is off the bottom step first, he gives me a knowing nod and then steps in front of us, almost shielding both of us.

I glance over the doctor’s shoulder when I see them carrying Gerry's body with such carefulness and that's when she turns to look, a harrowing howl escaping her lungs as she crumbles in my arms, her legs buckling beneath her. I hold her up, not letting her fall and cocoon her in my arms. They move him outside before laying him on the gurney and strapping him down.

The sound of the heavy doors close and only then does she fall silent.

“It's okay, it's okay,” I stroke her hair, pressing my lips to the top of her head, my eyes closing as everything else fades around us.

“Morgan,” Carlos' voice slips through our moment and she turns to look at him, pushing from my arms.

Green eyes rimmed in redness, cheeks blotchy and pink, lips dry and cracked.

“He wasn't in any pain,” his words are meant to give her comfort, but I can see the anguish on her face. “We didn't expect it to be this fast, we will carry out the post mortem and I will let you know when his body is released.”

She just nods. Tears streaming down her cheeks, licking the odd one away.

“Maybe you can contact me for that?” I step forward, wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her back into me.

“Of course, whatever is easiest,” he rolls his lips, his eyes not lifting from my wife.

“That would be easiest,” I confirm just as the nurses walk into the hallway.

“If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me,” he gives a shallow nod to both of us before he turns away and walks out of the door, the nurses following, heads bowed.

I let out the deep exhale of breath just as she slips from my grasp, stepping away from me as she stands in the open doorway, eyes fixated on the van as it pulls out of the ranch.

“I need to go find Dusty...” I whisper as I step closer to her and my brows furrow when I see Riggs' truck passing the van and pulling to a halt.

Ma, Aspen, Riggs, Dixie and Tripp step out with plates of food, flowers and warm smiles. Lainey is hooked on Tripp’s hip and I can't stop the smile that is pressed against my lips.

They showed up for her.

My ma walks through the door first, glancing at Morgan with soft eyes then passes me the warm dish. I take it, and as soon as it is out of her hands, my ma throws her arms around Morgan, pulling her in and holding onto her tightly.

“Don't ever feel alone, I know your pops was your family, but you have us too,” she says in a whisper as she places a kiss to the side of Morgan's head and that's when Morgan wraps her arms around my ma and holds onto her as if she is her lifeline.

My heart blooms in my chest, but it's pain that radiates, not warmth and love.

Riggs steps up and gives her head a rub then pats me on the chest as he walks into the kitchen with fresh wildflowers that look just picked.

Aspen gives me a sad smile then glances over at Morgan who is still sobbing into my mom's shoulder.

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