“Holland, we’re going to go.” Ben placed a hand on Holland’s head. “I’ll call your sisters tomorrow and check in on you, okay?”
“Thanks, Ben.”
“Thank you,” I said before shaking his hand.
“We need to get her into this gown.” Keith grabbed a faded, pale blue ugly piece of fabric. “Holland, do you need help?”
“I don’t know.”
“I’ll help.” I was being stupid, I knew I was, but I wasn’t sure that I wanted this guy helping her undress. “I’ll probably need to cut her shirt off. Do you have scissors?” Keith reached into a drawer and pulled out a pair of blunt tip medical shears and set them on a tray along with a plastic bag.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes. Holler if you need help.” Keith left and pulled the curtain closed behind him.
“Okay, Tiger, let’s get you changed.”
I pulled back the covers and began with her jeans. They were caked with mud, and I had to be careful as I worked them over her injured ankle, but I eventually got them off her.
“Just throw those away.”
I pressed on the garbage can and opened the lid dropping the jeans inside. Then moving to her shirt I tried to examine the best way to do it. “I don’t want to hurt you. I’m going to cut your shirt on your right side and then try to peel it off you, okay?”
Holland nodded.
As I started to move the fabric away, I finally saw the bruises that covered her sides. Her shoulder was hanging lower than the rest of her torso. Yep, I’d seen this many times when I had played football; she had dislocated her shoulder. No wonder she was in so much pain.
“You really did a number. No wonder you’re hurting so bad.”
“Well, you know I never do anything halfway.”
“No. No, you don’t.” I let out a pained chuckle and pulled the hospital gown around her. “The good thing is that, if it is just dislocated, once they get it set, it will start feeling better almost right away.”
“Are you dressed?” Keith asked from the other side of the curtain.
“Yes.”
“Holland, X-ray will be here in a few minutes, the doctor has ordered them to take images of your chest, ribs, shoulder, and ankle. He’s also ordered an ultrasound and a CT.”
“Why an ultrasound? I’m not pregnant.”
“No, it lets us know that you didn’t injure anything in your abdomen.”
My phone rang, and I looked down to see that Braden was calling. “Hello?”
“We’re here, where are you?”
“We’re back in the ER, room nine.”
“Thanks.” Braden disconnected.
“Your sisters are here,” I said and squeezed her hand. Holland’s face lit up.
I turned at the sound of chatter and several pairs of shoes hurrying along the travertine tile. Keith stuck his head out but then stepped out of the way.
“Okay, there are a lot of you, decide who is staying and the majority of you will need to go out to the waiting room and sit.”
“Give them a minute, okay?” I asked.
Keith gave me a head nod. “X-ray will be here any minute.” He stepped out.
“Oh, Holland.” Paris leaned in. “I brought you a change of clothes.”
“Tell me there are underwear in there.”
“I brought five pairs.”
“Thank god.”
Holland spoke to her sisters while Brandon and I stepped out so she could finish changing.
“Here are your keys. Asher drove it down, it’s parked just outside the doors and to the right.”
“Thank you.”
“What are they saying?”
“Nothing yet, she hasn’t seen a doctor yet, and we’re waiting on X-ray.”
“Do we have any idea about that hole?” Asher asked.
“It’s too perfect, this was mechanically dug,” Braden pointed out. “Someone had to have brought a Ditch Witch, some form of directional drill, or an auger back here. I have David and another deputy setting up a perimeter and forensics is on their way. A piece of equipment that large had to leave some tracks.”
“I think it was Holbrook.” I was pacing as I said it because the information was clicking into place too fast for me to stay still.
“The land developer, why?”
“Apparently, someone has been doing soil tests on our land, and one of those tests required digging up a large amount of soil to be tested. I don’t know for sure that it was him, but who else could it have been?”
“What could he possibly be looking for?”
“Phosphate. Here is why I believe it is Holbrook though.” Braden and Asher stopped dividing their attention between me and the rest of chaos going on. Both of them turned to me, they were focused. “For eminent domain, land surveys would need to have been completed but none have been done, the most recent anyone has was mine when I purchased my property. But there are Sustainable Management surveys, testing for sustainable resources such as phosphate.”
“If he had anything to do with this, I’ll have his ass,” Braden said, steam practically rising from him.
“You and me both.”
Chapter Seventeen
Holland
It was crazy, one of my sisters had spent practically every minute with me over the past twenty-four hours. But Reid never left me, not once.
“All right, Holland, we are letting you go. Here are your instructions and your prescriptions. If you should notice abnormal swelling or discoloration, if your pain intensifies or you get a fever, please come back. Check up with your primary physician.” I nodded to the nurse who had been taking care of me since I’d been admitted. She was nice, but I was ready to get the hell out of here. “Avoid any heavy lifting, climbing stairs, or physical exertion for the next four weeks. Give your ribs time to heal.” I nodded even though she’d told me that four times already. “You’re all set.”
Reid helped me over to the wheelchair.
“I’m going down to get the truck. I’ll meet you out front.” Reid leaned down and placed a kiss on my head before taking off.
“My, he sure is a looker,” the nurse said once he was out of earshot.
I didn’t respond as she rolled me down the long hallway that led to the parking lot. When the double doors slid open, Reid was already waiting with the passenger door open. After he helped me in and I got fastened, I blurted out what had been on my mind. “I want to go to my house.”
“You can’t do stairs.”
“Then take me to the big house.”
“Paris and Asher are still newlyweds. Besides, I want to take care of you.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond to that, and for a minute, I didn’t. Then I realized how ridiculous I was being and gave in. “Thank you, I appreciate it I really do but I think it is best for me to go to my family.”
Reid reached over and took hold of my left hand lightly squeezing it. “Why?”
I bit my lower lip and thought how to say this. How do I tell him that seeing him bring other girls around would . . . well, I don’t know what it would do, I just know that I wouldn’t like it.
“Okay, but first answer one thing that has been bothering me.”
“What?”
“Why did you run?”
“Run?” I was a horrible actress, and I knew there was no way he was going to believe my stupid act.
“Yeah . . . on Khan, the day you were supposed to come to my house, the day you fell into the hole and got hurt. You ran away and I hollered for you.”
“I . . . I didn’t want to interrupt you.”
“What? I invited you over so you could join us.”
“Umm, that didn’t really work for me.” He and I were obviously talking about two different things.
“Will you just spit it out?”
“I saw you, okay? I saw you and her on your front porch. The way you looked at her—”
“You’re nuts. I’m not sure what you saw, but it wasn’t anything like y
ou’re thinking. The PI is from my hometown and we grew up together, that’s all. The only person I have feelings for is you. I’ve been trying to get you to see that but you’re too damn stubborn to see it.”
Every hair on my body stood on end. Heat radiated over my skin, and I wanted to kill him.
“I’m too stubborn?” I yanked my hand back from him, and the movement sent pain shooting through me.
“Holland, will you stop?”
“No.”
“You’ve been all sweet the last few days and with the flip of a switch you are in full bitch mode. What’s going on? Do you not feel the same for me?”
“No. I do not.” The words were a lie, but I refused to let him get the upper hand.
“Well, then that changes everything a bit. Will you please still come to my house so I can take care of you? Your sisters will have extra work with the stables, and I already told them that I was bringing you to my house. Plus, we have stuff to go over concerning Holbrook.”
“Please, Reid, I just want to be with my sisters.”
“Christ, Holland, do you despise being in my company that much? What? You were fine leaning on me the last two days, but now that you’re out, you don’t need me? I don’t understand you. One second you’re hot, and the next, you’re cold.”
I didn’t answer him because he was turning on the road to my house. He slowed down and tried to avoid the ruts in the road and keep the jostling to a minimum.
When he pulled in front of my house, I tried to open my door. “Stop. I’ll come around.” He did, and having him sweep me in his arms tore at my heart. As he carried me up the few steps of the front porch, I could feel his eyes boring into me, and I tried to avoid his stare. The front door opened, and London and Paris greeted me.
“Holland, we’re so happy to see you.” Paris stepped back so Reid could enter, me still cradled in his arms.
“Sorry, she doesn’t want to come to my house and ordered me to bring her here.”
“Bring her back here.” London led the way to my old bedroom. Reid set me down. “We took a bunch of her stuff over to your house and set it up in your downstairs bedroom—”
“No worries, I’ll get it back to you all. I’m meeting with the investigator tomorrow, and, if you don’t mind, I’d like to bring her here so you all can hear whatever she has to say, I think Braden should be in on this. I’ll bring Holland’s stuff then as well.”
“Okay, I’ll give him a call,” London said as she left the room.
“Can’t you meet her at your house?”
“What’s gotten into you? You were such an integral part of this fight and standing up against Holbrook, and now it’s as if you don’t care.”
“Nothing is wrong with me, I’m just tired.”
“Bullshit. You’re running away. You’re picking up your toys and going home, just like a spoiled little brat.”
“Spoiled? I’m not spoiled! You’re spoiled. Mr. High and Mighty.” I deepened my voice, “Oh, look at me, I know all about Thoroughbreds, my family has been involved in racing for years.”
“I don’t talk like that.”
But I wasn’t finished. “Poor little country girl, old horse, old saddle, good god, does anyone actually ride that way anymore? A real lady would ride side saddle.”
“Women do not ride side saddle anymore, you’re being overly dramatic. I’ve never once thought you were a poor country girl. A bratty one, yes. Now tell me what is wrong.”
“Excuse me, but last I checked, I wasn’t wearing a dog collar and you weren’t my owner, so stop barking orders at me. Get out.”
Reid cupped his forehead, his index finger pressing on one temple and his thumb pressing on the other. It was a gesture that I had seen my father make a thousand times when he was at his limit with us. “I’m done.” Reid held his hands up in the air. “I’ve been trying to show you that I like you, but that obviously doesn’t matter. You are only ever going to find the bad in people. You know what, Holland, keep it up, and you will find yourself old, alone, and bitter.”
“Humph.”
“Woman . . . never mind. You need to get your rest. I’m glad that we found you and you’re doing okay.” Reid bent and cupped my cheek and something inside me wanted to beg him not to leave, don’t go, ask for his forgiveness. But I couldn’t bring myself to do it, instead I turned my head and watched him walk out of my childhood bedroom.
London swept in after Reid left. “Holland, how could you just let him leave? You two have been playing this enemy-to-lovers dance for almost two years. You have to be blind not to see that you just hurt him and that you’re being too stubborn to believe that he cares about you and you care about him. Or do I have this all wrong and you truly feel nothing for him?”
Tears rolled down my cheeks, and I reached up to wipe them away. “No, that isn’t it. I do like him . . . a lot. I messed up, okay?”
“Then why didn’t you say anything kind?”
“You didn’t see him or the way he looked at the investigator, London. She was perfect.”
“So? Who cares if she was perfect? Clearly, she wasn’t perfect for Reid, and isn’t he the one who matters?”
“But it was more than that, you should have seen her, the way she stood, her hair, everything just seemed so prim and proper.”
“Not if she’s a private investigator. She was probably just wearing her professional attire since she was meeting Reid. But you and I both know that isn’t the kind of man Reid is, none of those things are practical not with the kind of life he wants. My god, look at his sister, he loves her and she is usually covered in dog hair, never in high heels or fancy clothes.”
“But—”
“No buts, you were wrong.”
“It seems like it is the story of my life. I can’t believe I let my emotions rule me again, if I had slowed down just a little and thought about this maybe I wouldn’t be here.” I waved my left hand over the bed. “This is all my fault, falling in the hole, leaving my phone, everything. I’m such a fuck up.” My tears were rolling down my face faster.
London moved toward the door. “Get some sleep, holler if you need anything and we’ll get it for you. I’ll be back in a little while to check on you. Just rest.” London walked out and closed the door behind her.
I let the rest of the tears fall.
I woke the next morning and the pain hadn’t lessened. Not just my ribs, sure they hurt, but I had expected this since I was warned that the third day was the worst, but I was talking about the pain in my chest. I hadn’t seen or heard from Reid since yesterday when he dropped me off.
I cringed as I moved at the pace of a snail, fumbling to sit up and try to pull socks on. Last night, it took me over two hours just to take a shower, and finally Paris came in and washed my hair. I eventually made it to the dresser mirror and groaned. I looked like someone had just dug me up from a cemetery. I was pale, my hair was flat, and I had dark shadows under my eyes. Maybe I should be glad that Reid hadn’t been back to see me.
Glancing down at my sweatpants and T-shirt that I had slept in, I decided that I would stay in those since I was too sore to change. Making my way to the bathroom to brush my teeth was going to be hard enough. I wasn’t going to add changing my clothing on top of it.
When I was finally ready, I made my way to the living room and smiled at my niece, Tera, who was in a bouncy seat. “Morning, boo.” I blew her a kiss.
“Have a seat, and I’ll bring you a bowl of grits.” Paris moved to the stove, and I spent the next few minutes trying to lower myself into the oversized recliner. “Reid is going to be here in a bit with that investigator, and Braden is going to meet them here. Are you up to listening in?” she asked as she handed me the warm bowl.
“Have to be.”
“You sure? If not, London or I can take notes for you.”
“Thanks but no, I need to woman-up and do this myself. This is my battle I’m fighting. Will I have time to go out to the stables?”
&nbs
p; “Ha ha, very funny. There’s no way you’re going to the stables like that. I doubt you could make it that far.”
“But my horses—”
Paris held up one hand and silenced me. “The horses are fine and are being taken care of. Do you seriously think that Asher would let anything happen to them?” Paris was right, so I dropped my eyes back to my bowl. “You finish up, I’m going to go grab a brush and hair tie so that I can help you with that rat’s nest on your head.”
I smiled at Tera, who had no worries in the world except whether or not someone would change her diaper or give her food. The amount of my childhood I’d wasted wishing that I was grown-up and trying to be a grown-up faster than I should was absurd. It was more absurd that I was a grown-up and couldn’t seem to actually act like one.
“Turn your head,” Paris said as she dragged the paddle brush through my hair. I loved the way her fingers felt as they slid across my scalp, pulling and tugging the strands as she wove my hair into a French braid. She tied it off with a band. “Look at me.” I did as ordered. She opened her tube of concealer and dabbed the creamy liquid under my eyes. “Won’t totally get rid of the circles, but it should help.” When she was finished massaging the cover-up into my skin, she stepped back and examined me. “Better. You still look like you fell down a twenty-five foot hole, broke two ribs, dislocated your shoulder, and twisted your ankle, but at least now you look like you’re going to survive.”
Chapter Eighteen
Holland
The front door opened, and I turned to see Braden in his sheriff’s uniform walk in. Reid and the raven-haired woman were right behind him.
It wasn’t what it seemed, it wasn’t what it seemed. I kept saying those words over and over in my mind.
“Are you okay?” Paris whispered.
I nodded because, for some reason, I wasn’t able to speak. Paris bent and rubbed one hand over mine. “Are you in pain?”
Yes, but not the kind of pain that medicine would help, I didn’t think there was medicine for a broken heart. “No, I’m fine, really.”
Steadfast (Iron Horse Book 3) Page 12