Page 94 of Make it Real
“How are you liking living solo?” he asked quietly.
Sure didn’t seem like the right time to talk about my sad state in the house, but the look in his eyes said he needed to think about something other than his dad. I could understand that.
“I rearranged the furniture in the living room, and I’ve got color swatches taped up in the dining room. I think I’ll paint that this week.”
“What color?”
“Maybe seafoam green. Something soft and cozy.”
“No booger gray?”
I laughed but almost burst into tears at his little joke. I couldn’t believe he had any humor in him right now at all, but here he was, sharing it like he needed to cheermeup? My heart held nothing but love for this man.
Faster than I would have thought possible, June and Ty arrived. We went through another round of hugs, trying to keep each other’s spirits up, hoping for the best news.
June sat down and shuddered. “I hate this damn place.”
She shared a soft look with me. They’d spent plenty of time here with their mom, too.
Time stretched and thinned, dragging out as if any one of us wanted to memorize the moment. The next hour passed like twelve, but finally, a doctor came out to speak to the family. He explained that they’d treated Clint’s heart attack with an angioplasty, and he’d need to stay in the hospital for a few days. Most importantly, they expected him to make a full recovery.
The collective sigh between us might have been choreographed, everyone slumping in relief. The cloud that had been hanging over us lifted, and our smiles peeked out again in our hope.
“He’s got a road to get there,” the doctor said, “but he’s awake and able to have a visitor for a few minutes. I suggest one for tonight.”
The family looked to Marilyn, but she urged Wade to go. “Tell him how much we love him.”
He nodded and followed the doctor through the ICU doors.
Jed pulled me into his arms, and we held each other tight. I said a silent prayer of thanks Clint would be okay. Then I offered up a second in gratitude Jed had asked me to join him here. I hated the idea of him needing me and not asking, here with his family but suffering alone. I needed him to know he never had to shoulder his burdens all by himself. Not if I could help it.
Not long after, Wade came back out. His faint smile gave me even more hope than the doctor’s words.
“Pop’s looking worse for wear, but he’s strong. Doesn’t want any of us to worry, but I told him he’s stuck with us, worries and all. They want to let him sleep tonight, and we can visit tomorrow.”
“I wonder,” Marilyn said, patting her hair with shaky fingers, “if one of you would drive me home? My car’s downtown, and I don’t think I…”
Annie wrapped an arm around her. “We’ll drive you home. In fact, would you like to stay with us tonight?”
“I think I would. Thank you.”
“My truck’s at the farm,” Jed said.
“I can drive you home,” I told him.
Marilyn stepped closer to give me a great big hug. “Clint and I are so grateful Jed has you.”
We headed out of the hospital, those words knocking around in my brain. Jed did have me. Not just now, walking to my car hand in hand, but…more. All of it. And I wouldn’t be afraid to tell him anymore. I hated the idea of putting it all out there and getting nothing in return, but I couldn’t risk keeping quiet about something this important. I would speak up and share my heart, and see if he felt the same.
Sometime later, when his dad wasn’t in the hospital recuperating after a heart attack, and everyone’s emotions weren’t already dialed up to tens.
But soon. Because this man had my heart, and I wasn’t about to let him go if I could help it.
THIRTY-THREE
jed
My brainfinally kicked in on the drive to my house. I phoned our pickers and the couple who usually ran the store to let them know about Pop. Asked them to cover what we normally would have done, at least for the next couple of days. I figured after that, I’d make a new plan. Not just for a few days or a few weeks, but years on into the future if I needed to.
