The Texas Rebel [The Armstrong Brothers of Cedar Creek 2] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Rebecca Joyce

  “Help me, Mason. Oh God, please help me fix her,” Mark cried into the arms of his oldest brother.

  “Oh, lil’ man, I wish I could,” Mason said, using the endearment he had used for Mark as a small child.

  Mark looked at his father, who was crying openly. “Please, Daddy, I’ll be good from now on. I won’t mess up anymore, I promise. Please help me.”

  “Oh, my sweet boy, I am so sorry,” his father said as tears ran down his face, holding Mark as he collapsed in his arms.

  Mark cried as he lost the only sweet, caring, loving woman he would ever have.

  There wrapped in the arms of his family, he screamed and cried out his anguish as he allowed the pain to wash over him, enveloping him in a dark black blanket.

  It was then a faintbeep,beepsound that soon silenced the room.

  Chapter 16

  The Armstrong family waited patiently along with half of the starting lineup of the Texas Rebels, who had shown up in support of their quarterback and friend.

  Waiting, some sat quietly, while others stood softly talking among themselves, but no one dared to approach Mark.

  Motionless, breathing in and out, Mark looked through the double doors watching any and all movement. Counting every breath he took, he waited. For once, he was doing as he was told.

  I am going to stand right here and wait. That’s what the doctor said, and that’s exactly what I am going to do.

  He was getting ready to snap. The wait, unable to see what was happening, or to hold her hand, was killing him, but he was determined to do as he was told for once. He could do it. He would do it, for her.

  Tension flowed around him like a tightly wound rope getting ready to break at the slightest touch of resistance. He didn’t move, for he stood frozen like a statue.

  Nobody saw his face, for that was what he wanted. Tears still slowly trickled down his face as he remembered the way she looked. The last sight of her was more than he could handle.

  Mark remembered as the doctors rushed toward her when her heart started beating again. Working feverishly as they tried to warm her and keep her barely beating heart moving, and still, she still hadn’t opened her eyes. He needed to see her eyes.

  He thought it was funny, that he was this big time football player who supposedly could handle anything. He could take getting hit numerous times, he suffered concussions, and his body had taken more than one bad pulverizing. He had a cast-iron will and the strength to match any man, but put her life in front of him and he was useless. He didn’t regret anything he said or did while in that room. In fact, he meant every word, every emotion.

  He made her a promise and he was going to keep it.

  He would do anything for her.

  In the short time they were together, he had found himself within her. He wanted to be a better man because of her. He knew deep down in his soul, she needed him, she wanted him, and she loved him. He could feel it. Never in his life had he ever been so sure of anything. She was what he wanted, and nothing was going to stop him, not even her. He knew he messed up, but it was something that he could fix. She just had to give him the chance.

  She had to give him the chance. She just had to.

  He watched as the nurses and doctors moved around, going about their business. Every once in a while they would look his way, smile, and then carry on. Not once did one of them walk his way.

  So he stood there waiting.

  It was the touch of a warm hand on his shoulders that got his attention, that he was no longer alone. Looking, he saw his father standing next to him. He didn’t want his father there, but he wasn’t able to tell him to leave. He had shown too much of himself in the trauma room to make him leave. He was drained, and what energy he had left he reserved only for Sarah.

  So deciding to ignore the man who caused more grief than was humanly allowed, he kept his mouth shut. But that didn’t stop his father from talking.

  “I remember the night you and your brother were born. Man, was it was chilly. The snow began to fall, covering the ranch in a purty clean white blanket. I always did love the first snowfall of the season. I remember that night because I was out near the break, tending to a calf that was stuck in the mud hole,” his father began.

  “I knew it was hopeless, and I was gonna have to shoot the poor animal, putting it out of its misery. I was just about to do that when a ranch hand rode up to tell me that your momma was in labor. Man, that pissed me off. Wouldn’t you just figure. There I was getting ready to shoot a baby calf, and your momma was about to birth her own.

  “So I dropped everything and took her to the hospital. By the time we arrived, the snow was coming down heavily, and your momma was hurtin’ pretty bad. Once she was in a room, everything went downhill fast. She delivered Mitchell quickly, but you decided to take your time. It wasn’t long before all the monitors started blinking, and nurses and doctors began scrambling around. I knew something was wrong, cause your momma grabbed my hand and told me to save you,” he quietly said as he shivered, remembering.

  “You see Mark, she knew. She knew she was dying, and she wasn’t scared. She was scared for you. She wanted you to live. I will never forget that moment. I looked at your mother and screamed “no.” I told her I didn’t care about you, that I only wanted her, only needed her. I didn’t know anything about babies. That was your momma’s job. But when your momma’s heart stopped, I felt as if someone ripped mine out of my chest. I couldn’t breathe. The thought of living my life without her was too much. Then when the doctor held you in his arms, I cursed you. I cursed the day you were ever born. I hated you, son.”

  “In those short minutes, I made a deal with God. If he brought back your momma, I would do anything and everything in my power to make your momma happy. I guess what I am saying is that I know. I know what you’re feeling, son. Just do me one favor, though. Don’t make any promises that you can’t keep. You see, I never kept my promise, and to make matters worse, I treated you something awful for something you had no control over. I am sorry for that, son.” His father sighed, taking a deep breath.

  In all his years, Mark had never heard his father talk so much. What shocked him more, it was personal. His father just let him see inside his soul, and what he saw there wasn’t pretty, but it was honest. His father wasn’t the easiest person to get along with, and yes, he was still an asshole, but Mark realized that even assholes can love someone.

  Looking at his father, Mark smiled. “Thank you for that, Dad.”

  “You’re welcome, son.”

  Just then the emergency room doors flew open as a tall, thin black man bounded through them. He was followed by two big, burly black men in tight black shirts with fierce looks on their faces.

  “Where is she!” the tall man shouted at everyone, commanding their attention. He walked swiftly as he held a phone to his ear. He walked right past Mark and entered the room he was forbidden to enter, making his presence known.

  “I want to know what room Sarah Mitchell is in right now!” he demanded, grabbing the attention of several nurses.

  “Sir, you are going to have to wait out in the waiting room,” one nurse advised him sternly.

  “The hell I will! Where is she?” he commanded.

  When Mark moved, so did everyone else. They all followed closely behind him as he stalked right up to the man. They watched as the bellowing man turned and glared at Mark. A couple of his teammates walked closer to stand next to him.

  “Who the hell are you!” he shouted at Mark.

  “You can’t be in here,” he spoke low in a threatening voice.

  “Get out of my way,” the man said, pushing Mark to the side and walking over, starting to remove curtain after curtain looking for Sarah. Mark walked up to him again and said once again, “You can’t be in here.”

  “Boys, get this asshole out of my way!” he ordered the big, burly men. As they approached, Mark just looked at them and stopped them dead in their tracks. One of the men spoke. “Hey, Buck,
I don’t think he’s gonna move. It’s him,” he advised.

  Bucky turned and finally noticed him. He was about to say something when the doctor walked up to Mark.

  “She’s going to be fine. Only one visitor at a time,” she softly said and watched as Mark ran down the hall. Turning to the rest of them, she ordered, “The rest of you, out! I told you I have no problems having you forcibly removed from this hospital. Now get!” she yelled as she walked away.

  * * * *

  Mark was running down the hall when a nurse shouted, “Room 312.”

  He continued down the long hallway and stopped right in front of her room. Taking a deep breath, he walked in and saw her.

  Surrounded in a stark white room, the machines were the only noise he heard. The wonderful sounds of her beating heart filled the room. She was covered up with so many blankets she looked like a small child. Her soft pearl skin was still ashen, but her lips had some color back in them. Her eyes were dark and sunken. As he approached, he got a good look at her lovely face.

  Even asleep, she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever met.

  Trying to put the last hour out of his mind, he quietly leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Oh, sweetheart, you scared the living crap out of me. You just rest and get better. I will take care of everything,” he whispered, raining soft kisses over her face.

  She was still so cold, but she was breathing. He removed his shirt and shoes, pulled back the covers, and gently slid in next to her. He was careful as he wrapped his arms around her, being cautious not to move her too much. He could feel a bandage around her chest, and he wondered if she had broken some of her ribs. Pulling the blankets back up around them, he held her in his arms once again.

  He stayed with her through the night, never letting her go. His father walked in sometime later and sat in the only chair in the room. He never said anything, and neither did Mark. He knew his dad wasn’t going to leave until Sarah opened her eyes, knowing why, and for some reason he was grateful for his company.

  He watched as nurse after nurse came in and checked her vitals. Nobody said anything. They just smiled and went on about their business.

  When the doctor appeared around eleven that night, he watched as his father sat up straight waiting for the news.

  “How is she?” Mark quietly asked.

  “Her temp is up to 96.2, which is good. She has some bruising around her ribs, probably due to the fall, a nasty concussion on the head, and the…” she began and then stopped, looking at his father, not really knowing how to proceed, but it was too late. Mark saw the look.

  “What is it?” he asked, getting concerned. “You can go ahead. My dad won’t say anything.”

  “I don’t really know how to ask this. It’s rather private.”

  “Go ahead, doc, what do ya need to know?”

  “Well, Mr. Armstrong, tell me if I am getting too personal, but I admit I know who the both of you are, and over the last couple of weeks you and Ms. Mitchell have been in the news a lot. Well, do you know if she has been, I mean, have you and her—”

  Mark smiled, “Are you asking if we have played Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots in the sack?”

  The doctor laughed and blushed. “Never heard it phrased that way before, but, yes,” she said, looking at her chart. Mark laughed a little and grinned. “What do you think, doc?”

  “Oh, I wasn’t presuming anything, it’s just…” she trailed off.

  “What?”

  The doctor took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and looked right at him. “Have you slept with Ms. Mitchell in the last month?” she said and sighed.

  “Why, doc, I am shocked,” he teased.

  She laughed and continued, “Have you?”

  Mark looked at the doctor and knew she was being serious. She had a determined look upon her face, and she wanted an answer.

  “Yes, we have. Why?”

  “Do you know if you were the only one?” she proceeded.

  “Doc, I can guarantee that I was the only one.” He smiled, remembering that first night.

  “I guess I will have to take your word for it, then.”

  “Why. What’s wrong?”

  “Did either of you use any precautions?” she asked, looking him in the eye, trying to convey what she was trying to say. Mark looked at the woman curiously, and then shock registered quickly as a smile spread across his face. “You’re kidding!”

  “Quiet. I don’t want the whole hospital knowing,” she said, trying to calm him down. “Since she has no relatives and no emergency contact, I am going toassumethat you will be the one to come to for her medical needs. Am I right?” she asked with raised eyebrows.

  “Damn straight!” He smiled, his face glowing with excitement. He turned to see his father with a big grin upon his face.

  “Glad to hear it. Now, I will be back tomorrow to check on her. I will have one of the nurses bring you in a cot. I don’t want to find you sleeping next to her when I come in the morning. Is that clear?” she questioned sternly.

  “Sure thing, doc.” He smiled and watched her turn to leave. “Hey, doc?” he asked before she got to the door.

  “Yes, Mr. Armstrong?”

  “Is everything okay? I mean…you know.”

  “Yes, Mr. Armstrong, all is as it should be.”

  * * * *

  Over the next twenty-four hours, Sarah lay unconscious. Mark watched as the staff at Oschner’s Medical Center tended her. By nightfall on the first day, word had spread like wildfire, and every news channel, reporter, and photographer converged on the hospital, wanting the scoop.

  Mark had taken a very defensive stance and refused to allow anyone except hospital staff to walk the hall where she was being held. By morning, he insisted that she be moved to a more private room, where she could be better safeguarded. He was not taking any chances, and he wanted their privacy protected.

  Life took on a whole new meaning when the doc informed him of Sarah’s delicate condition. It was a whole new perspective, and it scared the living shit out of him to think what his child would think of his previous actions. Knowing there was nothing he could do about the past, he planned on preventing it in the future.

  This was something that he wasn’t used to.

  It was new for him. Generally he wouldn’t have minded all the reporters and media commotion, but something in him had changed. He no longer wanted anyone to know everything about him. He wanted privacy.

  He had told Bridget before she left for the night that from now on, she was to only answer “no comment,” which shocked the living shit out of her, but she agreed, and he left her with the horrible duty of fending off the media’s attacks.

  He was lying next to Sarah when a knock at the door interrupted his quiet time with her. He turned off the television and watched as Bridget walked in with the commissioner and his head coach. Something told him that the shit was about to hit the fan.

  “Armstrong,” Commissioner Matthews whispered firmly. “We need to talk, and since you refuse to answer my calls or leave this damn hospital, you left us with no choice. So whether you feel like talking or not, you will listen. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “You have the national championship game in two days. You have missed practice for the last week. You have made an ass out of yourself and caused a shitload of trouble. Coach Salts wants to start the backup, and I agree with him. What do you have to say for yourself?”

  “Okay. Start the kid. He’s ready.”

  “Mark! You can’t mean that?” Bridget shouted louder that she should have.

  “Damn it, Armstrong, this isn’t funny anymore,” the coach replied softly.

  “Look, guys, I know this game is important to Texas and the team. The team has worked their butts off to get to the big game, but my heart just isn’t in it anymore. I can’t step out on that field and leave her here all alone. I am sorry. Start the kid. He’s ready,” Mark said, looking at the three
of them.

  “Too damn bad. You are under contract, and if your ass doesn’t show up to practice tomorrow, the league will sue you for the remaining amount of money that we have already advanced you. So get your head out of your ass and don’t be late!” the Commissioner yelled, not giving a damn anymore.

  “Don’t threaten my son,” MH threatened, making himself known.

  “It’s all right, Dad.” Mark smiled then turned to the Commissioner. “I quit.”

  “Yes, you will,” she whispered.

  Mark looked down and saw her beautiful sapphire-blue eyes looking at him. “I never pegged you for a quitter, cowboy.” She smiled. He couldn’t control himself and started kissing her face, her lips, her cheeks, her mouth. He was overjoyed with elation.

  “Stop moving. I hurt everywhere,” she moaned.

  Mark smiled and backed off. “How are you feeling?” he asked.

  “Like I fell off a boat. What do you think?” Mark laughed and kissed her forehead. “Go to work, Mark. You will never forgive yourself or me if you don’t finish this.”

  “Sarah, I don’t care. I don’t want it anymore.”

  “Yes, you do, and deep down you know it. So stop sulking and go.”

  “I’m not sulking.” He smiled and got up from the bed. “Are you sure?” he asked, eager for her final approval.

  “Go, I will be fine,” she assured and then looked at the commissioner. “Please don’t be too angry with him. He sometimes can’t control himself. I have tried to tell him to think before he acts, but he doesn’t listen.”

  The commissioner laughed and completely understood. “I am afraid you’re right, Ms. Mitchell. He is a little childish, isn’t he?”

  “Yes, only a child can love a child’s game. Is he as good as you say?”

  “Ms. Mitchell, he is the best any of us have seen in a long time,” Coach Salts offered.

  “Well then, I guess you better take him.” She smiled. Mark walked over and kissed her once more and lingered on those now-soft, warm lips.

  “All right, let’s go win this damn game!” the coach said, walking toward the door with the commissioner. Mark stood and smiled and looked at Bridget. “I know. Don’t leave her sight. I got it,” she said, rolling her eyes. Mark smiled and kissed Bridget’s cheek and walked out of the room.