Page 66 of Lavender Lake
“Go home,” Dad said to Muddy. “Sleep in your own bed.”
She jutted her chin, clearly ready to fight.
Dad’s gaze slid to mine, pleading.
“He’s right,” I said to her. “You should get a good night’s sleep. We can come back early tomorrow morning.”
“They’re going to be doing neurological tests every few hours,” Hadley said. “No use in both of you not sleeping.”
I took a step closer to Muddy and lowered my voice. “You won’t help Dad get well if you burn the candle at both ends.”
That got through to her and she nodded. “All right. But I’m coming back early tomorrow morning.” She went to Dad’s bedside and brushed her lips across his forehead.
Hadley kissed his cheek, and then stepped back.
Dad looked at me, and even though he was still groggy from the sedative, I could read the words in his eyes.
I nodded and leaned over to whisper, “I’ll hold down the fort. I promise.”
Hadley’s phone buzzed as we left Dad’s room. “Declan.”
She put the phone to her ear and talked to her fiancé. Muddy linked her arm through mine and said, “We need to have a talk.”
“We do?” I asked. “Oh joy.”
“Smart ass,” she said lightly. “What I meant was, I need to speak to you, Hadley and Declan.”
“When? After dinner?”
She shook her head. “Tomorrow after we see your father. Tonight, you should go out.”
“Go out?” I asked in confusion.
“Out.” She nodded. “The four of you need to go out and celebrate.”
“Isn’t it too soon to celebrate?” I asked, my brow furrowing.
Muddy turned me to face her, and then cradled my cheeks in her hands. Hazel eyes that mirrored my own peered at me. “It’snever too early to celebrate. Life is filled with tragedy, Salem. So celebrate when you can and to hell with the rest.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The Ranch
The house was quiet when we got home. Declan and Bowman weren’t around. I’d barely seen Bowman the last several days; just at breakfast and dinner. During the day, he was with Declan, lending a hand wherever he was needed. I spent time around the house, doing laundry and baking. I made sure there were clean towels in the bathroom and the sheets were washed.
I remembered Bowman’s reaction when he’d first come into the house. It reminded me of his upbringing and the fact that clean sheets hadn’t always been a given. Now they were.
At night, my sleep was restless, knowing he was only steps away.
Still, I couldn’t bring myself to cross the divide.
“I’m going for a ride,” Muddy said.
“Now?” I asked.
“I need it,” she said. “It’ll clear out the cobwebs.”
“I’ll ride with you,” Hadley said.
