Page 76 of Roaring Fork Rockstar

“I got a new unicorn!” Luna exclaimed, holding up Shimmer alongside Sparkles.

“They’re beautiful,” Dr. Robbins said, checking the chart. “Just like your numbers. You’re doing great, Luna.”

As she and Keltie chatted, I helped Luna arrange her growing collection of stuffed animals on the bed.

“Mr. Holt,” she whispered. “Can you add Shimmer to our story?”

“Absolutely,” I promised. “I think they’re going to have a lot of fun adventures together.”

She smiled, her eyes heavy with medication-induced drowsiness. “Just like you and Mommy.”

I was stunned silent. Out of the mouths of babes, as they say.

“Rest, sweet girl,” I said, tucking the blanket around her. “We’ll work on our story later.”

Once the doctor left, Keltie sank into the chair beside Luna’s bed, the emotional and physical toll of the day evident in the slump of her shoulders.

I took her hand and pulled her onto my lap instead. “Your little girl is quite a trooper. Like her mama.”

Keltie gave a weary smile. “I don’t feel like one right now.”

“That’s why I’m here,” I told her. “To be strong when you need a break.”

“And when do you get a break?”

I glanced at Luna, peaceful in sleep despite the tubes and monitors. “This isn’t about me. This is about getting her better.”

Keltie looked like she wanted to say more, but fatigue won out. She rested her head on my chest and let her eyes drift closed.

I sat in quiet vigilance, watching them both. Luna’s face appeared peaceful while Keltie’s expression, even in sleep, carried the worry she’d been hiding all day.

They deserved better than what life had handed them. They deserved someone who would stand by them through this fight and long beyond it. The certainty that I wanted to be that person surprised me with its clarity.

I loved them. Both of them.

21

KELTIE

The night before we were scheduled to leave Children’s Hospital, I stood at the window of the apartment Sam and Beau had arranged for us, watching the city lights shimmer against the dark sky. Two weeks had passed since we’d arrived—fourteen days that felt both endless and impossibly brief. The good news was we were able to return home earlier than anticipated since Luna had responded well enough that the doctors decided she didn’t have to stay the full month.

Behind me, Holt was sprawled on the sofa, dozing while a mindless reality show played on the television. He’d finally agreed to take a break from the hospital room after my father insisted he do so since he’d be staying the night with Luna. The rotation had worked well—one of us was always with her while the others rested at the nearby apartment.

I’d just returned from checking on them, finding my daughter sleeping peacefully and my father settled in the recliner next to her bed, reading one of his paperbacks. The doctors were pleased with her progress, and tomorrow, we’d finally be taking her home.

“Sleep, darlin’,” Holt said, his voice thick with fatigue. I turned to find him watching me, blue eyes soft in the dim light. “Big day tomorrow.”

“I know.” I crossed the room and sank down beside him. “I can’t believe we’re finally going home.”

Holt got up, checked the locks, then turned out the lights once I made my way down the hall to the first of the two bedrooms. We paused outside the door.

“Thank you,” I said, the words inadequate for everything he’d done.

“For what?” he asked, reaching out to tuck a curl behind my ear.

“For being here. For everything.”

He smiled, leaning down to press his lips to my forehead. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

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