Page 47 of Wicked Cowboy
Sally patted me on the back. “You can’t blame yourself.”
But it was me. I dropped my head. “Everyone who depends on me like your husband gets hurt.”
She cupped my face like she had the ability to wash away my sins. “Don’t be silly. Aaron would want you to move on and find love. We talked about it as we both knew being a SEAL was dangerous and something might happen.”
I had zero right to want love after how I’d just acted. I couldn’t bring myself to look at her. “I didn’t know that.”
She shrugged. “I haven’t looked too hard. Our town is small and there hasn’t been anyone worth my time. But I was hoping at your wedding, you had some hot looking friends I don’t know.”
She pointed behind me. If Sally moved on, maybe I had permission too. Chelsea starting crying when she saw Ridley rush into the lobby.
Chelsea’s voice went up as she said, “Ridley, you’re here.”
“Of course.” Ridley’s eyes were red and puffy, but she held Chelsea’s hand and asked, “Where’s Hudson?”
I never should have hurt her. Ridley was the best woman I’d ever met. “We’re still looking for him.”
She led the charge to the ER though I saw her trace an arrow on the wall indicating the way as she said, “Let’s go talk to the nurse in charge.”
I followed, but Chelsea stepped lighter with Ridley at her side.
As we entered the ER, I knew there was no way to make up for what I’d done. I'd screwed myself out of happiness and a once-in-a-lifetime love.
Chapter 16
Ridley
Asking the driver to take me to the hospital on the app instead of a simple conversation had thrown me, reminding me this was a vacation. But this was no cruise I’d gone on. I’d been dumped and was exposed and raw.
Chelsea’s call had changed everything, even though I could hardly see straight. I’d squared my shoulders, wiped my eyes, and rushed to the hospital.
But walking and seeing Carter was like daggers stabbing me in every step.
I was here because of Chelsea and Hudson. I’d be here, even if being near Carter killed me.
Realizing how stupid I was ripped my heart into thousands of pieces of used confetti.
However, Carter and Chelsea’s gaunt faces made this moment tolerable. We’d made it to the ER without a word and I'd motioned for them to wait behind me as I'd solicited information. Carter didn’t argue but nodded at me.
A moment later, I returned and they were both holding hands I folded my arms in front of them, ignored the ache in my gut, and curled my lips. “I spoke with the nurses.”
Carter rubbed his forehead and asked, “Another heart attack?”
“No.” Tonight sucked. I ignored how my skin buzzed and relied on years of giving news like this when I said, “The doctors don’t think Hudson had a heart attack.”
He wiped tears from his eyes, and I wished I could hold him.
“That’s good.”
Chelsea hugged Carter.
A nurse came for us and directed us to Hudson's private room.
His eyes were closed as we stepped in the door. Chelsea and Carter were glued together. I lowered my arms and checked Hudson’s vitals with my fingers. He let me as he said, “I was in pain. It felt like an attack, though they said it wasn’t.”
I patted his hand and read the chart. Doctor had checked the box that he’d spoken to his patient already what his diagnosis was, and his heartbeat was steady when I said, “It’s good it’s not a heart attack. They are keeping you overnight for observation, just to be sure, but right now, they've diagnosed GERD.”
His nose wrinkled. “That’s stupid.”
