Page 44 of Another Round
The blush I love brightens her flushed face even more, and she smiles when she nods. Both of us calming down from our mutual agreement. “I need to get you home.”
“Not yet. We have to go see Gus first.”
Stubborn as hell but this time I can’t disagree.
“He’s out of surgery. His injuries are pretty extensive, but we were able to stop the internal bleeding and his vitals are strong. All we can do now is wait and see.”
Evie nods to the vet. Unable to speak with the agony gripping her. All this time we thought we were saving that dog and instead he ended up saving her. We can’t lose him now. “Whatever you have to do, whatever it costs, do it.”
“Of course, Mr. Cole.” The woman gives us a reassuring smile. Acting as optimistic as possible while Evie crumbles. “As soon as he wakes up, we’ll let you know.”
Evie curls into me before the doctor turns away. Exhausted and terrified, she’s never needed my strength more than now. I wrap my arms tight around her and lay my head on top of hers. Shielding her body and her heart from any more trauma. “He’s going to be fine. He’s too much of a goofball to even realize he’s injured. He’ll wake up and start running around and sniffing for cheese.”
Laughing and sobbing at the same time isn’t good, but I guess it’s better than just crying. My own sentiments conflicting just as much as hers. I should get her home and into bed, but I can’t leave Gus either. Not after he’s done a better job of protecting her than I have.
I scoop her up and carry her to the well-worn brown sofa in the waiting room. The springs squealing under my weight as I settle in with her resting against me. Probably look like a wanker with her sideways on my lap and her head on my chest. At this point I don’t give a damn. I just need to make her as comfortable as possible. I need to be the one to make her rest. “Go ahead and sleep. As soon as they come for us, I’ll wake you up.”
Her hair rustles against my shirt as she shakes her head. “What if he needs me? I can’t let him down.”
Already proving what a good mum she is, she sacrifices her own needs for his. “That’s what I’m here for. He wakes up, I wake you up. Okay?”
Silence. Which means not okay. Damn stubborn and I love her for it. Even if she disagrees with me.
We sit quietly. She doesn’t fall asleep, but at least she’s resting. Off her feet and in my arms. A bloke walks in with a cat, golden and fat, in a carrier, who watches us from its place on the floor while the man converses with the woman at the window. His voice cracking with worry as he explains her lack of appetite and lethargic state. He glances at us when he grabs the handle again to carry the feline to the back and frowns. His anxiety reflecting ours.
“I could do it if I needed to.”
I stroke down her cool skin. Trying to keep her warm. Trying to keep her calm. “Do what, trouble?”
“Protect Gus. I would’ve been able to shoot him. I was afraid but I know I could do it.”
Emotion gets the best of her, and her declaration ends on a whisper. I believe her. She’s loyal and fierce and tough enough to protect the ones she loves. “Then once you’re both better, I’ll teach you.” I caress over her stomach and kiss her head with a small smile on my lips. “But it might be difficult around a baby bump.”
“I’d kill for him or her too.”
My own adamancy is just as strong when I feel her little body stiffen in my embrace. Already tensing from the thought of anyone harming her child. “Me too.”
“Now I know why my Dad worries so much about me. I don’t think I’ve ever been more scared. Not just for me but for the baby.”
Nick’s going to lose his mind over this. She’s not ready to go there yet, and I’m not really either. So I ignore that discussion for now. “I fucking hate the way you realized it but at least now you understand.”
“I do. Very much. And, it makes me question how I see myself in the future. Being a mom is now more important to me than anything else. That might seem wrong but it’s true.”
“Why is it wrong? It’s just different. Priorities shift. Dreams change.”
“Yeah.”
She says yes but her tone implies maybe. She’s still unsure. Doubts that changing her mind about running the family is okay. “I mean look at me. I’m better than I ever thought I could be because of you. Six months ago I was a grumpy old man.”
That suggestion evokes a giggle out of her. “Wasgrumpy?”
“I’m still grumpy but now I’m lucky enough to have a spoiled brat who puts up with my grumpiness.”
“Wasspoiled.”
“If you say so…”
The door swings open again, and the doctor’s face matches our quiet amusement. “He’s awake and alert. I think he’s pulled through the worst of it.”
