“Yes!” He sat up and wrapped his arms around her, squeezing as if he never planned to let her go.
Which he didn’t.
They spent a few moments holding each other until Ranger trotted in and slumped to the wood floor with a thud and loud scratch of claws. The deep doggy sigh he let out made them both laugh.
“The sound of satisfaction,” Sage said.
“Let’s see if I can get you to make similar sounds.” Orion slid the straps of her bra off her shoulders.
“Give it your best shot.” She arched her brow in challenge.
“I always do.”
He turned them so she was below him. When he took her breast into his mouth and flicked his tongue over a budded nipple, she shivered and let out a purr.
“Guess my work is done here.” He made a move to get off the bed, but Sage grabbed his wrists in a lightning-quick move and pulled him back to her.
“Get back here. You’re not even close to done, mister.”
“My mistake.”
“Don’t let it happen again.”
Orion hooked his fingers onto the panties at her hips, and lightly scraping his fingertips along her skin, he pulled the panties off, letting them drop to the floor. Sage was completely naked now and he needed to be one with her.
She reached up her arms and unfastened his shorts, sliding them down until he shed them along with his boxers. Nothing stood in their way now. Nothing stopped the perfect pairing of their bodies, their hearts, their souls.
His cell phone rang, the sound of it cutting through him mercilessly.
“Grrrr…” he growled. “I’m taking a chainsaw to that damn phone.” He slid off the bed and jogged to the kitchen where he’d left it. Adam’s number flashed on the screen.
“We like olives on our pizza and take your time,” Orion said. He needed this conversation to be over like right now. A primed and ready Sage was not something a man should keep waiting.
“Orion.” Adam’s voice was serious and Orion stood straighter.
“What’s wrong?” Because something was. Definitely.
“Your dad—”
“What about my dad? Is he okay?” Suddenly, Orion’s stomach flip-flopped and he could barely swallow.
“He collapsed outside the pizza place. We called an ambulance,” Adam said gently.
“I’ll meet you at the hospital.” Orion hung up and ran back to the bedroom.
Sage was already putting her clothes back on, looking concerned. “Who’s going to the hospital?”
“My father. He collapsed.” Orion’s voice was scratchy because his throat stung. He wouldn’t lose it. No, sir, he wouldn’t. He’d been strong for his father all these years and now was not the time to fall apart. He’d keep his shit together even if every happy thought he’d had with Sage only moments ago disappeared into the air around him.
“C’mon,” Sage said. “I’ll drive you.”
He hopped back into his shorts and fumbled with the zipper. “You don’t have to. I got this.” He didn’t want her wasting any more of her time wrapped up in his emergencies. And why the fuck was he having so many emergencies lately? Christ.
Sage came around the bed and stood in front of him as he wrestled with his inside-out T-shirt. “Orion.”
He looked up at her. “Seriously, Sage. You have a life.” He puffed out a breath. “Or at least you did before you got tangled up with me.”
“Yeah,” she said slowly. “And now I realize what that life was missing, you big idiot.” She swatted him on the back of the head.
He blinked at her for a few seconds, not expecting her to hit him because he’d already banged his head pretty good today.
“Look, I’ve told you before I make my own decisions. I’ve decided I love you, Orion Finley, and if you think you can push me away, you’ve made a gross miscalculation. Now give me that T-shirt.” She ripped the shirt out of his hands where he had still been trying to right it. Giving it one solid shake, the bottom hem came out of the sleeve. She shoved the neck hole over his head and let him take care of the rest.
As he poked his arms through the sleeves and watched Sage walk out of his bedroom, he realized he couldn’t be without her even if he tried. That was a scary thought. He’d always depended on himself. He took care of people, but was never taken care of.
Until now.
Hurrying to catch up with her, Orion bolted out the porch door and met her at her car. “Sage?”
She looked at him over the roof of the car.
“I’m sorry. I just… I need…” He couldn’t say what he wanted to say.
“You need your father to be okay. I get it. Let’s go.” She disappeared into the vehicle.
How did a woman who was so new in his life know exactly what he was thinking?
Chapter Twenty-four
“He dropped to the ground,” Adam told Orion as soon as they found their way to the hospital waiting room.
Myah was on Wendie’s lap, sniffling into the woman’s shirt. As soon as she saw Orion, she squirmed off and ran to him. “Daddy, is Gramps going to be okay?”
Orion kneeled in front of his daughter, and Sage’s heart squeezed in her chest when he simply folded himself around her, tucking his child in close to him. They had been through so much in the last few days. The two of them hugged for a long time. Then slowly, Orion’s arm came out, his hand motioning for Sage to join them. She put her arms on their shoulders and gave them each a kiss on the tops of their heads. Myah turned into Sage’s arms, tears coming down her cheeks now.
“Oh, sweetie.” She smoothed Myah’s hair and rocked her gently. “Come sit with me over here.” She guided both father and daughter to the seats near Wendie.
Orion sat first and Myah crawled onto his lap. Sage sat beside Orion. He instantly reached for her hand and the three of them created a little chain of support.
If someone had asked Sage if she would ever have such potent, amazing feelings for a man and his kid, she would have told that someone to stop being so ridiculous. But here she was now, and these two people beside her meant absolutely everything.
“He’d been doing so well,” Orion said. “I got too comfortable. I wasn’t paying attention.”
“None of us saw any signs, Orion,” Adam said. “He was doing better.”
“Maybe I made him play with me too much.” Myah’s voice was so soft, so small. “I should have let him rest.”
“This is not your fault, Myah.” Orion backed her up a little on his lap and tipped her chin so she had to look up at him. “Gramps was having a blast with you and that’s nothing but a good thing. You understand?”
Myah nodded, her dark lashes clumping together with tears.
“Shhh, baby.” Orion pressed her head to his shoulder. “I’m sure we’ll get some news soon.” He glanced at Sage over Myah’s head.
“Very soon.” Sage squeezed his hand and looked to the waiting room doors. “Any minute a doctor is going to come through those doors and give us good news.”
That better be true.
She didn’t want to think about what bad news would do to Orion and Myah, especially after they’d been through the whole Adriana ordeal. They were finally getting what they wanted, what they deserved, and if The Universe decided to be a total bitch, that would be terrible.
“Was he complaining of any pain or anything?” Orion asked Adam who had taken a seat across from them.
“Nope. He did his Elmer Fudd impersonation on the drive to the pizza place. You know, like he used to do. It was hysterical.”
“I laughed so hard my tummy hurt,” Myah said, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
“Us too,” Wendie said. “Ian is hysterical when he’s ‘hunting wabbits.’”
Orion let out a small laugh, but his eyes were glossy. “He hasn’t done that bit in years.” He released Sage’s hand to rub at his nose.
Sage noted how that hand shook a little. How Orion sniffed every now and then. How his left foot
tapped, wiggling his entire leg. The man was on the verge of coming unglued and she didn’t blame him one bit. She felt on edge, and Ian wasn’t her father. A fleeting thought of something happening to her mother made her stomach do a sick roll. She recalled being a nervous wreck when Rick had his heart attack in New York. That helpless feeling was the worst. The knowing that there wasn’t a damn thing you could do to make your loved one better but wait. Wait for the coin to be tossed. Wait for the dice to be rolled. Wait.
A petite woman in scrubs came through the waiting room doors. “Which one of you is Orion Finley?”
“I am.” Orion raised his hand like a student.
The doctor sat beside Adam facing Orion. Sage could hardly breathe as the doctor studied her small, pink hands for a moment. “Mr. Finley, I’m Doctor Wesnell. We’ve checked your father for a heart attack and a stroke, but it doesn’t appear that he’s had either.”
Myah started crying again, so Wendie collected the girl from Orion’s lap. “Come with me, honey. Let’s get some air.”
The doctor waited for them to leave then focused back on Orion. “Your father’s vitals are good right now. Does he have a history of passing out like this?”
“No, this has never happened before. He has memory issues due to a near drowning accident years ago and as he’s aged that’s gotten worse, but passing out has never been a problem.”
“Okay. It could be an isolated incident, but I’d like to keep him here overnight for observation. You should follow up with his doctor.”
Orion looked at Sage. “Maybe he was coming down from the events of today?”
“A plausible theory.”
“What events?” the doctor asked.
Orion angled his head one way then the other, probably searching for the best way to say, I almost ended up dead today by the hands of my ex-wife. “My life was in a little bit of danger earlier today.”
“A little?” Adam said.
“A heightened state of stress may have caused your father to pass out,” the doctor said.
“But he was fine after the event passed. He was laughing and happy.” Orion ran a hand through his hair.
“It could have taken a little time for his body to catch up to his happy mental state. It could also be as simple as he was hungry.”
Orion nodded. “Can I see him?”
“Absolutely. He asked for you and Sage.” The doctor looked back to the doors where Wendie had disappeared with Myah.
“That’s Sage,” Adam said, pointing at her.
“Right this way then.” The doctor stood and gestured to the hallway.
Adam stood. “I’m going to catch up with Wendie and Myah.” He gave Orion’s shoulder a squeeze then left.
Following the doctor to Ian’s room felt like the longest trip ever. Brief peeks into the rooms along the way made Sage pray for each patient. She wanted them all to be able to leave the hospital, but she knew, mathematically, that wasn’t going to happen.
Let’s hope math is on Ian’s side.
The doctor stopped outside room 211 and rested her hand on the doorknob. “When the ambulance first brought your father in, he was incredibly anxious. We’ve given him something to keep him calm and allow him to rest.” She checked her wristwatch. “I’d say you have ten minutes before the full effects hit him.”
She opened the door. “Mr. Finley?”
Sage’s step faltered as she looked at Ian. Wires and tubes snaked from him to machines around the bed. He appeared frail and… sick, and again she was reminded of Rick. It hadn’t been easy to see her strong, invincible cousin in such a weakened state, and it was no easier to see Ian that way even though he was an old man.
“Mr. Finley?” the doctor asked again when Ian didn’t reply.
He was so still.
Is he breathing?
Suddenly Sage was cold. A chill charged down her spine and she couldn’t take another step closer to that bed. Not if Ian was… not if he was…
Oh, God.
“Dad?” Orion’s voice was far away, because he’d reached the bed. He scooped up Ian’s hand. “Dad.” This time the word was just a whisper.
Slowly, Ian’s eyes opened and he turned his head to Orion. Sage’s legs nearly crumpled beneath her. Relief flooded her body and mind as she sidled up to Orion.
Ian gave them both a slightly lopsided smile. “I feel funny,” he said.
With just those three words, Sage could tell he was back to that child-like Ian she had first met. What was it about Myah that brought about a remission in symptoms? Was unconditional love a cure for his condition? That didn’t sound scientifically possible, but it felt true. Without Myah around, Ian’s mental health declined.
“They gave you something to help you sleep, Dad,” Orion said gently. He still held his father’s hand.
“I want to go home.” Ian made a move to sit up, but the doctor quickly put a hand on his shoulder.
“Mr. Finley, take it easy for a little while,” she said.
He nodded, but looked at Sage. “No more horseback riding, Sage.”
Horseback riding. Had that activity been too much for him? Oh, God, what if she caused this by pushing him too hard during their ride? She shouldn’t have taken him that far down the trail, but he was having so much fun—so was she—and he hadn’t seemed unwell in the least.
“Sage.” Orion’s voice pulled her out of the nasty loop of thoughts. “Same as we told Myah. Not your fault, right?” He held her gaze until she nodded.
“I’m just glad you’re all right.” Sage leaned down and gave Ian a kiss on the cheek. “I like hanging out with you.”
Ian blinked eyelids heavy with approaching sleep. “I like hanging out with you too.”
“Nah. You just like my cookies.” Sage made a deal right there with any and all divine powers that if Ian was truly okay, she’d make the man cookies every day.
Ian yawned.
“Okay,” the doctor said. “Looks as if our friend here is almost ready to snooze. Everybody out.”
“Can’t we stay, please?” Orion asked. “I don’t want to leave him alone.”
“He won’t be alone. We have a hospital full of people. He’s only going to be sleeping and for quite some time, hopefully. Go home. Come back in the morning.” Though the doctor spoke with authority, a tenderness warmed her eyes. How many times had she said these words to worried family members? Hundreds no doubt.
“We’ll come back first thing,” Sage said.
Reluctantly, Orion nodded then turned to the doctor with a hand extended. “Thank you.”
She accepted his handshake and gave Sage a look that said, Even the Alphas need comfort. Sage planned to give Orion all the comfort he needed. She wanted to be everything he ever needed, now and always.
“Bye, Dad.” Orion bent and gave his father a kiss on the forehead.
Ian closed his eyes as he mumbled an unintelligible response.
“Cookies will be waiting,” Sage whispered as she kissed Ian too.
The old man smiled, but didn’t open his eyes. His chest rose and fell in that steady way that marked slumber.
The doctor led them out. “I’ll call you if anything comes up, but I don’t expect anything to. Get some rest and we’ll see you in the morning.” She nodded to both of them and grabbed a tablet from the nurses’ station before ducking into another room down the hall.
“Let’s find the rest of the gang,” Sage said.
Orion stood in the hallway, motionless and looking a little lost. He turned when Sage touched his forearm. “Yeah,” he said softly.
Sage took a firm grip on his hand and brought it up to her lips. After pressing a light kiss to his knuckles, she said, “We can stay in the waiting room if you’d rather, Orion. We can do whatever you want.”
He hesitated for a moment, and Sage was sure he was going to say to stay. Instead he said, “No. Let’s go home. Myah should be at home now that it’s her home again. We should celebrate that it’s going to be you
r home too.”
Sage loved that his idea of home included her.
****
Orion was awake all night. Fortunately, watching Sage sleep kept him occupied, but a big piece of his brain kept wondering how his father was doing. Of course he was getting proper care. Of course the hospital was the best place for him right now.
Of course Orion had spent nearly every day with his father since forever. He couldn’t imagine a time when Ian wasn’t around. He wouldn’t imagine it. Not now. Those were thoughts for some other day. Thoughts that he would have to deal with someday.
Today was not that day.
The guy just passed out. But still, it made Orion realize, with extreme clarity that his father would not be around forever.
Sage stirred next to him, a silky smooth leg rubbing against him and for one beautiful moment, he forgot the more somber thoughts of the morning. He put aside the fact that his father was in the hospital, that his ex-wife had almost killed him and was now in jail, that his barn had a huge hole in it, and that the work he’d done on the three bears for Rockefeller Center had been destroyed. Sage had the ability to do that for him. To make him hopeful for the future.
After all, his past had sucked. It could only get better, right?
“Morning, sexy,” Sage said, her voice a little sleep raspy.
“Hey.” He dropped a kiss on her warm, soft lips.
“Let’s wake up like this every morning.” She snuggled closer, her hair tickling his chin as she rested her cheek on his shoulder.
“Best plan ever,” he said. “In order for that to happen, my dear, you need to pack up your shit and move it here. Like right away.”
Her smile lit up the room more than the summer sun beaming in through the curtains, and he imagined how warm she was going to keep him on frosty winter nights.
“Okay.” She rose to her elbow, her fingertip tracing circles on his chest. “Here’s the plan then. I’m taking Myah to my house where she will help me and the Stannard Moving Crew pack up my shit, as you so eloquently put it. You will go see your dad and hopefully bring him home. Then we will rendezvous here for a celebratory dinner prepared by me. How’s that sound?”
More Than Cookies (The Maple Leaf Series) Page 25