by Karly Morgan
“I’ll call him while ya take care of the paperwork. I’m not leavin’ until we know for sure Carissa and your mama are all right. Ya don’t have ta go through this alone,” he assured me, and I was grateful.
I knew part of the reason he was staying was to get Carissa’s statement about the attack, but I didn’t care in the moment and nodded my consent. I took a couple of minutes to calm my inner turmoil, set the worries aside, and regain my focus on what I had to get done for both the women who were depending on me to keep it together for them.
Once I felt steady enough, I stood, squared my shoulders, and went straight for the nurses’ station. The lady behind the desk was in the middle of a call, so I stood there waiting for her to wrap it up so I could find out what information was needed. I hadn’t been asked to fill out any paperwork for Carissa yet, so I would have to go through two rounds of the tedious mountain they demanded. Hopefully, it would distract me from the endless wait I seemed to be stuck in.
“May I help you?” Nurse Adrienne asked after she replaced the phone in its cradle and looked up at me with expectant eyes.
“I need ta handle the paperwork for two of your patients,” I told her, trying to keep my voice from choking up with the fear I was barely keeping in check. “Carissa Reed and Bonnie Reed.”
She nodded and began typing furiously on her keyboard, compiling a stack of papers onto a clipboard as she went.
“There’s two sets of the same paperwork here. Fill out one set for each patient, and then bring them back here for me ta get input into the computer,” she instructed as she handed me the clipboard and a pen.
“Are there any updates on either of them?” I forced myself to ask, knowing if I walked away without enquiring, I’d kick myself for doing so.
“Let me see…” her voice trailed off as she went back to typing on her keyboard. “What were the patients’ names again?”
“Carissa Reed and Bonnie Reed,” I repeated, impatiently tapping my foot as she looked up what I wanted to know. After a few minutes, she picked up her phone and dialed an extension, giving me nervous glances as my tapping increased.
“I need patient statuses for Carissa Reed and Bonnie Reed,” she spoke into the phone and waited quietly. It took another few minutes of my nerves fraying even more before she finally nodded her head and replaced the receiver. “Carissa is upstairs gettin’ an X-ray done on her ankle, and they’re preppin’ Bonnie for surgery right now. The doctor for Bonnie will be out ta speak with ya momentarily.”
My heart sank to the tips of my toes when she mentioned surgery. Mama’s attack must have been bad if they were going that route to help her.
“Thanks,” I murmured around the lump suddenly blocking my throat. Adrienne nodded sympathetically, but I turned away. I couldn’t handle the look of compassion mixed with pity filling her eyes. I needed both Carissa and my mama to pull through this. Carissa, I knew, would be just fine, considering it was just her ankle, but mama…that was an entirely different ball game. Her condition was serious.
“Any news?” Sheriff Donovan asked as I returned to the seating area with the clipboard and pen like a zombie. I relayed to him what the nurse had to me and watched as the man sitting before me closed his eyes. Tipping his head back, he began murmuring under his breath as if he were praying. I didn’t interrupt because if he was, I hoped someone, somewhere, heard those prayers and granted them.
I got to work filling out the endless forms. As soon as I’d completed Carissa’s and had started Mama’s, I heard yelling coming from the direction of the nurses’ station. Even though I’d only heard the man’s voice during one confrontation, I knew Carissa’s daddy had arrived. Who’d notified him, I had no clue whatsoever.
“You tell me where my daughter is right now or I’ll have your job,” he threatened Nurse Adrienne as I rounded the corner into the lobby of the ER.
“She doesn’t have to tell ya a damned thing. I’m her husband and next of kin. I’m the only one she has to update,” I informed him as I approached the desk. “And considerin’ Carissa doesn’t want a damned thing to do with ya—especially after your goon did this to her in the first place—I suggest you leave the same way ya arrived before I have ya arrested.”
“You’re her husband only on paper, and that’s in the process of being fixed as we speak. And I had nothing to do with her being harmed. I haven’t sent anyone after her,” he snapped as he turned to square off with me, disgust in his eyes as they slid from my dirty boots, up my dirty clothes, to the smudges on my cheeks. I’d been in the middle of ranch work when Carissa had called me and hadn’t wasted the time on showering and changing before rushing to be by her side.
“Really? That’s not what the asshole who did this to her said. She had me on speakerphone, and I heard the bastard tell her repeatedly he was takin’ her back to her daddy where she belonged,” I informed him, barely restraining the need to pound his face into the linoleum floor we were standing on. Even though I had been pretty sure it had been Carver who’d sent the dickwad who’d attacked Carissa, I needed to be sure.
“I have no idea what nonsense you’re spouting. I have never and will never cause harm to come to my daughter. I have always had her best interests at heart,” he proclaimed, and I laughed coldly in disbelief.
“If that were true, she wouldn’t have had to run to the middle of nowhere to escape ya, and we wouldn’t be standin’ here havin’ this conversation,” I told him sarcastically. “Although, I have to say, thanks for being the biggest douche of a dad ya could be ‘cause now I have an amazin’ wife who I love dearly and will die to protect, and I’m pretty sure she returns both of those sentiments. You have no place here.”
“If you think I’m just going to walk away from my hospitalized daughter, you have another thing coming. And if you think I’d ever cause her harm, you’ve lost your damned mind. That girl is my world, and I’d do anything to keep her safe from the real horrors out there,” he stated in a low voice that almost made me believe him. Unfortunately for him, Carissa had already told me about her childhood and how coldly he’d always treated her.
“I know you’re gonna walk away from her ‘cause she sure as shit don’t want ya here. I also know that girl is just a pawn to you. Ya use her however you see fit whenever it benefits you. There’s no way in hell your world revolves around her,” I fired back, becoming angrier the longer this conversation continued. I was one hundred percent sure he had nothing to do with the assault on Carissa, but I wasn’t about to let him off that easily. He’d done plenty of other damage to her over the years he hadn’t been held accountable for.
“Like hell I am—”
“Now what the hell is goin’ on?” Sheriff Donovan demanded to know as he stepped out of the waiting room.
Mr. Waters’ voice had risen enough with his last outburst that it had drawn the sheriff’s attention and caused Adrienne to jump in her chair where she’d been watching the confrontation with a mixture of fascination and horror. She’d kept her hand hovering by the phone in case the situation had escalated to call for help if necessary. I felt bad for her, but I wasn’t about to let this asshole anywhere near my wife.
“This man has falsely married my daughter and now refuses to allow me to have any information as to her condition and location in this hospital,” Mr. Waters declared indignantly.
“Falsely married? Considerin’ the mayor personally conducted the ceremony, I assure ya it was legal and proper and both parties entered into the marriage consensually; therefore, he is her husband and has the right ta refuse ta disclose any and all information ta whoever he deems unworthy of havin’ it. Also takin’ into consideration the condition I found your daughter in when I arrived on the scene and chased off her attacker and havin’ taken the statement of her husband, Kolton Reed, who was on the phone with her and heard most of the attack, you’re the one who initiated the assault and I’m obliged ta arrest ya,” Sheriff Donovan informed my father-in-law as he stood there spitting a
nd sputtering his displeasure at being denied what he wanted. It was a sight I was greatly enjoying. “Now, care ta explain ta me how ya got here from New York City so quickly if ya had nothin’ ta do with the attack on Carissa Reed? It’s only been about two hours, and I happen ta know for a fact that even if ya had a private plane, it would take longer than that ta get here from there.”
My mind whirled with the implications the sheriff’s question invoked. Had he really been behind Carissa’s attack? Could he so carelessly have put her life in danger that way? Why would he do such a thing? What was so important about Carver that he was willing to sacrifice her to gain?
“You can’t arrest me without proof. I’m a lawyer and will sue you and this hick town for false arrest if you even come near me,” he spat back, avoiding the question he’d been asked.
“As I said, I have a witness statement, and as soon as Mrs. Reed is able, I’ll have hers as well, which is enough ta bring ya in for questionin’ at the very least,” Sheriff Donovan replied with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders. I was impressed by his ability to stay as calm and collected in this situation, while I was barely refraining from beating the bastard to a pulp. The only things holding me back were that if I did that, he’d be back there closer to Carissa than I cared for him to be, and I’d be in jail instead of here where she needed me to be. As tempting as it was to give in to my base urges, I wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction.
“What intrigues me is how ya didn’t answer my question, which leads me ta believe ya got somethin’ ta hide. Now what would that be?”
“I have nothing to hide! I was already on my way here to try to talk sense into my daughter about her farce of a marriage. She’s throwing her life away with some redneck from the sticks when she could have it all back in New York,” he exclaimed, and I narrowed my eyes at his pointed insults.
Before I could say a word, the sheriff responded. “I’ve seen the two of them together. There’s nothin’ false about their marriage. They’re very much in love, and I’m happy for ‘em. Now if ya don’t back the hell off, I’m pretty sure Kolton Reed would have no problem filing harassment charges against ya,” Sheriff Donovan said, crossing his arms over his chest. “Considerin’ your options at the moment, leavin’ seems ta be your best one before I change my mind about not arrestin’ ya right now. I won’t be leavin’ this buildin’ until I have Mrs. Carissa Reed’s statement, but I have deputies who can come pick ya up for me and get ya all nice and cozy in a cell while ya wait for me ta finish up here.”
“My daughter’s name is Carissa Waters, not Reed. And I’ll leave here after I’ve seen and spoken with her myself, not before. So I suggest you tell me my daughter’s condition and current status right now,” Mr. Waters demanded as if he owned the place.
This man was so unbelievable I couldn’t help but shake my head.
“I suggest ya seek professional help with your delusions. I read that interview ya gave and so did Carissa. She was horrified by how separated from reality you really are,” I told him. “You’re not gettin’ anywhere near her if I can help it, and as her husband, I can.”
I turned to face the sheriff, new respect for the man filling me. “If he’s not off these premises in the next two minutes, I will be filing those harassment charges.”
I didn’t stick around to hear anything else my father-in-law had to say. I had to get this paperwork finished and turned in and get another status update for both Carissa and my mother. I’d be damned if I got the update with that sleaze standing there to overhear it, though, so I’d have to hang tight and trust Sheriff Donovan to do his job.
The next few minutes were torture as I struggled to focus on the task in front of me and to remain seated instead of finding out whether Mr. Waters had left, or I needed to put him in his place personally. If I went back out there, though, there would be no holding me back from releasing all of my pent-up anger and frustration with my fists, which wouldn’t do anyone a bit of good. Finally, the sheriff returned to the waiting room and took his seat a few chairs over.
“Well?” I asked after his silence stretched out beyond my breaking point. “Did he leave on his own or did ya have to arrest him?”
“Security escorted him off premises. Nurse Adrienne called them at some point during the confrontation without us noticin’. I shoulda arrested him though,” Sheriff Donovan said and seemed to be rethinking his course of action.
I had to say, I’d have felt better if the man was behind bars.
“Why didn’t you?” I asked curiously. It seemed odd that he’d let the man walk when he had every reason to take him into custody.
“I made ya a promise ta stay here until everything was settled, and I meant it. If I arrested him, I woulda had ta break that promise ‘cause I wasn’t about ta pull one of my deputies away from searchin’ for the perp who assaulted your wife. That man ain’t givin’ up, so I’ll have another chance ta arrest him soon enough,” Sheriff Donovan replied, still seeming to regret his decision.
“I would’ve easily forgiven ya for breakin’ your promise if it meant Carissa was that much safer,” I told him honestly.
“Of that I have no doubt, but I’m not in the habit of goin’ back on my word,” he returned, and I wondered if he was stubbornly staying here because of his promise or because he was worried about my mama.
I’d known he was sweet on her for a long time, even though he was happily married and she was in a relationship with Caleb. I wasn’t about to argue with him though. He was a good ally to have in this situation.
“Ya really got your hands full with this one.”
“You’re tellin’ me,” I mumbled as I returned my attention to filling out the paperwork. It was tedious, annoying, and time-consuming, but it was the only thing I could do ta help my wife and mama as the never-ending wait seemed to drag on.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Carissa
“When can I see my husband?” I asked the cheerful nurse who had been driving me insane since she’d helped me to the bathroom for the pregnancy test.
“I don’t see why we can’t bring him back while we’re all waiting for the doctor ta read your X-rays,” she said with the brightest smile I’d ever seen. I wish I could say it was fake, but having had her nonstop bubbly chatter in my ear every time she entered to take my vitals, I knew it was as genuine as could be. Normally, I’d enjoy her endless happiness, but the pain from my ankle and heartbreak at the negative pregnancy test blocked my ability to handle her chipper demeanor.
“I would like that. Thank you,” I replied, trying not to sound irritated as I felt.
“Ya got it. Anythin’ else I can get ya?” she asked, pausing at the door and looking back at me as if her sole mission in life was to serve me.
“Just my husband.”
She nodded, smiled, and exited the tiny exam room. I sighed in relief at her departure.
My mind raced, trying to figure out how to break the news of my non-pregnancy before Kolton reached my side. I had absolutely no experience in breaking bad news, and I knew he’d be devastated that I wasn’t after seeing how thrilled with just the idea of us having a child together he’d been.
Maybe I shouldn’t have been in such a rush to have him brought back to be with me. Then I would’ve had more time to work through how to break it to him that there wouldn’t be any new little Reeds running around in the next eight to nine months. I’d let the pain get the better of me in requesting to have him by my side. The painkillers they’d given me hadn’t put a dent in the agony shooting up my leg.
The door opened and Kolton appeared, filling the space and appearing as if he’d been put through a meat grinder. The dirt covering him didn’t bother me, since I knew he’d been working on the ranch when I’d been attacked. The raw emotion in his eyes, redness lining the whites of them and rimming the lids gave me a huge clue about how distraught he’d been as he’d sat out there and waited for news. His mouth gave me a relieved smile, but I couldn’t take
my eyes away from the worry still filling his. I knew then that I’d done the right thing in asking the nurse to bring him back to see me, even if I wasn’t ready to tell him that I wasn’t carrying his child.
“What’s wrong?” I asked as he moved into the room, the door swishing shut behind him to give us privacy.
“I’m just so thankful you’re all right,” he told me as he sank onto the rolling stool next to my bed and grasped my hand so tightly in his own, I thought he was going to cut off circulation to my fingers.
“I’ll be fine. Just waiting on the doctor to read the X-rays and let me know the next step in getting my ankle all better,” I told him, expecting to see the tension radiating through his body lessen, but it didn’t. There had to be something else causing him distress. I couldn’t think of what it would be though.
“Whatever it is, we’ll get through it together,” he assured me, but as he spoke, my tension escalated. Why wasn’t he telling me what else was wrong? “The sheriff is here and has been waitin’ to get your statement ‘bout the attack. Feel up to givin’ it now or would ya rather wait?”
“Kolton…” I began but wondered whether I should push him for answers right now. It only took me a second to make the decision to press forward. “Tell me what has you so upset. I know it can’t be me because I’ll be fine.”
Indecision warred in his eyes as he sat quietly searching mine. I knew he wouldn’t want to burden me with anything else while I was in the hospital trying to heal, but what he needed to know was that I needed to help him through whatever was upsetting him.
“Talk to me. You wanted to give this marriage a real try, and that requires communication from both sides. I’m not a fragile flower that’s going to break if you lean on me,” I assured him, squeezing the hand doing an excellent job of almost breaking mine with his grip.
“Ya don’t need any more on your plate right now. Just focus on getting better—”