Page 262 of Love in Riverbend
She continues. “Often in cases such as this, there can be severe damage to muscles, tissues, and circulation. The good news is that by a miracle, Justin’s circulation wasn’t impeded. His leg never lost blood flow. Repairing the muscles, nerves, and bone is time-consuming. He will probably be in surgery for another five hours.”
The whole room makes a collective gasp.
“I didn’t want you to worry, Mrs. Sheers.” She’s talking to Devan. “Your husband has made it through the hardest part. I wouldn’t say we’re out of the woods, but you can breathe a sigh of relief.”
“Thank you, Dr. Evans,” Devan says.
As soon as Dr. Evans walks away, everyone surrounds Devan. She lifts her hands. “Thank you all for being here. I don’t think you want to stay another five hours. I promise to let you know as soon as he’s out of surgery.”
While everyone nods, no one leaves. Quietly, all those around us take a seat.
Ricky looks down at me and smiles. “This is Riverbend.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “It makes you wonder why we want to leave.”
Tugging my hand, he says, “Come with me. We need to talk.” He calls across to his sister and parents, “We’re not leaving. We’ll be back.”
I’m thinking about what he said—we need to talk. Has there ever been a more daunting sentence?
I brace myself for what Bryce said, for Ricky to break up with me because he didn’t get the job at Parker and Stevens. It’s selfish of me to be thinking about us instead of Justin, but Bryce’s warning upset me more than I realized. And then when Ricky didn’t call or show…
We’re quiet as we make our way down the hallways. At this time of night, few people are about. We spot a bench near a window. Beyond the glass, the sky is black. Lights down below in the parking lot shine as leafless trees and bushes sway in the wind.
“I’m sorry I didn’t call you sooner,” he says, still holding my hand.
“It’s all right. You didn’t have your phone, and your mind was on Justin.”
He inhales and nods.
“How did today’s meeting go?” I ask.
Ricky inhales and sits taller. “Very well. Mr. Parker offered me a job.”
It’s the best news I’ve heard in a while. My neck stiffens, and I open my eyes wide. “That’s great news.”
“I thought so too. Before my dad’s call, I couldn’t wait to tell you.” He drops my hand, spreads his knees, and leans back. His tone lacks the excitement I would have expected. “I’m supposed to meet with HR tomorrow and go through the paperwork. Mr. Parker said they’d have all the information about salary and benefits.”
“Why don’t you sound happier?”
Ricky rolls his eyes and stares up at the ceiling. “Randy and Justin have over a thousand acres of land to farm. Randy isn’t in the best of health. No one is talking about tomorrow, but there’s no way Justin will be able to do what he normally does this spring. Randy and Bridget were talking about Justin’s recovery time. They’re talking months, not weeks.”
“You’re going to put your dream on hold for your friend?”
Plopping his elbows on his knees, Ricky leans forward, cradling his forehead. “Farming is about making enough money to get to the next year.” He stands up, moving back and forth like a caged animal. “The agricultural wealth Mr. Parker is talking about is for maybe five percent of Indiana farmers. Hell, five percent nationwide of family-owned farms. The real wealth is in conglomerates. If Justin can’t get his fields ready, plant his crop, and maintain it, there won’t be a crop to harvest in the fall. That harvest pays for the next year.” He sighs. “They’ll lose the farm, not just the Dunn part but the Sheers’s farm as well.”
“You want to move back to Riverbend?”
Ricky rubs his palms over his beard growth. “Fuck. No and yes.” He points to the waiting room. “If I was in a car accident in Indy, there might be two people in the waiting room. Justin has half the town.”
I scoff. “It’s not half the town, and I think you’d have more than two people.” I stand, meeting him chest-to-chest and lean toward him. “You’d have me.”
“Even if I decide to tell Mr. Parker no?”
I take a step back, shocked by his question. “You would tell him no?”
Ricky stares at me, unblinking. “I can’t do both.”
I’m not sure if my disappointment is for Ricky or for me. Maybe it’s for both of us. “Please don’t make a rash decision.”
