Reunited in the Rockies

by Mindy Obenhaus

  Despite her assertion, the next step drew closer and closer. She reached out a hand to break her fall. Searing pain shot through her wrist. Another thud knocked the wind out of her. White specks shot through her vision.

  Thoughts of the tiny life growing inside of her raced through her mind.

  God, please protect my baby.

  She struggled to wrap her arms around her middle as the freefall continued.

  When she hit the bottom, everything went black.

  * * *

  Jude pulled into the hospital parking lot in Montrose before seven thirty the next morning. If he’d had his way, he wouldn’t have left last night. And if Kayla hadn’t been so adamant, he wouldn’t have. It had taken everything within him to walk away while the Bradshaws were still there. No doubt gloating in the fact that Kayla had sent him away.

  When he found her unconscious at the bottom of the stairs yesterday, his heart had all but stopped. Thank God the police officer side of him took over because the man who loved her couldn’t handle it. He’d radioed dispatch for an ambulance and then spent the next ten excruciating minutes waiting, praying over the woman he loved and the child she carried.

  Praise God, she’d come to by the time they’d put her into the ambulance. Something Joe and Maureen had been there to witness. Jude still wasn’t sure how he felt about that. A part of him wanted to blame them for what had happened. For upsetting Kayla. But he’d also seen the concern in their eyes as they bombarded him with questions about why she was being taken away.

  Later, at the hospital, they’d waited, sharing in his relief when they’d learned both mother and child were doing well. Kayla had suffered a concussion, a broken wrist and some bruising, so the doctor wanted to keep her overnight to monitor her as well as the baby.

  As Jude sat with her later, just the two of them, he’d learned that Maureen had returned to the hotel yesterday afternoon to talk with her. He was suspicious, to say the least. He was a cop, after all.

  Now, as a new day dawned, all he wanted was to see Kayla and assure himself that she was doing all right. He walked through the automatic sliding doors, leaving a cold rain behind him, and moved into the hospital lobby and straight for the elevator. Too bad the gift shop wasn’t open this early. He’d buy her the prettiest bouquet of flowers he could find. Of course, their beauty would pale in comparison to hers.

  Standing outside of Kayla’s room a few minutes later, he leaned against the wall, the gravity of her situation slamming into him. His eyes burned as he stared up at the LED lights.

  God, thank You for protecting her. I’m not sure I could face losing her again.

  With a deep breath, he continued into her room.

  The rhythmic hum and click of an IV pump sifted through the silence. A blanket covered Kayla’s legs while her casted arm rested atop her unborn child. The head of the bed was elevated, her dark hair a stark contrast to the white sheets. For a moment, he thought she was asleep, but as he drew closer, he saw she was simply staring out the partially opened blinds.

  As though sensing his presence, she turned and looked up at him, her chestnut eyes lacking their usual sparkle. “Morning.”

  “How are you feeling?” Longing to touch her, he gripped the side rail instead.

  “Okay, I guess. My head’s still throbbing.”

  He eyed the contusion just above her temple. “No doubt. You hit it pretty hard.” If only he’d been there to catch her. His gaze lowered. “How’s the baby doing?”

  The corners of her mouth lifted then as she smoothed her good hand over the blanket. “Very active.”

  “That’s good to hear.”

  “Yeah. I think he or she is trying to get back at me for all the jostling yesterday.”

  “Ah, a little payback, huh?”

  Nodding, she focused on her hands. “Jude, there’s something I need to tell you.”

  “Sure.”

  She took a deep breath and exhaled before peering up at him. “I had a long talk with Joe and Maureen last night. They believe everything I told them about Shane, and I now understand why they said all the things they did.”

  “Why?”

  “Because they were hurting. Shane was their only child. This baby means a lot to them.”

  “Oh, so that gives them the right to threaten you?”

  She lowered her head. “I’ve decided to go back to Denver and live with them until the baby is born.”

  His hold on the side rail tightened. This had to be the Bradshaws’ doing. No wonder they’d stayed last night. “Was this their idea?”

  “No.” Her gaze remained riveted to his. “It was mine.”

  Suddenly, he found himself struggling for air. As though he’d been punched in the gut. “Why?”

  “Because I almost lost my baby yesterday, and I’m not willing to risk going through that again.”

  Her logic was a little misguided, perhaps, but he supposed he understood. “You’ll be coming back, though? After the baby arrives.”

  She stared at her hands again. “I honestly don’t know.”

  “But what about the hotel? Have you talked to Lily?”

  “Yes. She understands.”

  Good. Maybe she could explain it to him.

  Frustrated, he shoved a hand through his hair. Whether Kayla wanted to admit it or not, the Bradshaws had indeed gotten to her. All of their guilt trips and threats had worked to undermine the confidence she’d been working so hard to regain. Now she was afraid to trust herself with her own well-being and that of her child, putting her right back where she’d been when Shane was alive.

  He glanced at her. Saw the pain in her eyes. In that moment, he realized the cycle that had filtered its way through the Bradshaw family. Joe was used to bullying people, including his family, to achieve whatever outcome he wanted. His wife and his son had been impacted. And though Shane may have been decent when he was sober, the alcohol turned him into a much more aggressive version of his father.

  Well, Jude wasn’t about to let that cycle impact Kayla or her baby anymore.

  He wrapped his fingers around those on her good hand and smiled down at her. “Marry me, Kayla. Stay with me in Ouray. I promise, I will take such good care of you and the baby.”

  Surprise widened her eyes, and her mouth opened ever so slightly. Finally, she squeezed his fingers, then released them. “You’re so sweet, but that wouldn’t be fair to you.”

  Not fair? What did that mean?

  She doesn’t love you.

  The aching sensation he’d never wanted to feel again filled him as the thought sank in. Of course, she didn’t love him. Her husband hadn’t even been gone six months.

  “Yeah, that probably wasn’t my best idea. But why don’t I hang around and give you a ride home once the doctor sets you free? I mean, they’re probably not going to want you to travel for a while.”

  “No, they won’t. Lily’s planning to take me back to Ouray.”

  “Oh. Okay.” Except it wasn’t okay. Nothing was okay. He was losing Kayla again. Correction. He’d already lost her. “I guess I’ll let you get some rest then.”

  An aide whisked into the room, carrying a breakfast tray.

  Jude pressed a kiss against Kayla’s silky hair, savoring the delicate aroma of her one last time. “You’ve got my number. Memorize it this time. And don’t ever hesitate to call.”

  She smiled as he pulled away. “I won’t.”

  With that, he turned and walked out of the room, feeling as though his insides had been shredded to pieces. The only woman he’d ever loved was gone. Again. And he didn’t have a clue how to get her back.

  He made his way back down to the lobby and out the door, sorrow wrapping around him like a cold, wet blanket. Where did he go from here? What would he do?

  Not watching where he was going as he exited the hospi
tal, he almost bumped into the Bradshaws.

  “Good morning, Jude.” Holding an umbrella, Maureen was all smiles. Why wouldn’t she be? Kayla was returning to Denver. To live with them, no less. “How’s our girl doing this morning?”

  Our girl? Kayla may not be his, but she certainly wasn’t theirs either.

  “She’s improving.”

  “Good.” Hands shoved in the pockets of his work pants, Joe looked him in the eye. “I—uh, wanted to thank you for standing up to us—me—and speaking on Kayla’s behalf.” He glanced at his wife before continuing. “If you hadn’t, we might never have known the truth about our son.” He cleared his throat. “I only wish I could have protected Kayla.”

  They believed her? That was unexpected. As was their gratitude.

  “It’s obvious you care for her very much,” Joe added.

  “Yes, sir.” More than anyone would ever know. And he could only pray that, after the baby was born, Kayla would return to Ouray and give him the opportunity to prove himself once again.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Kayla would do anything to protect her baby, no matter what the cost to her. Even if it meant saying goodbye to the man she’d fallen in love with for a second time.

  Watching raindrops pelt the window of her hospital room, she swiped a tear from her cheek. Her breakfast tray sat untouched, her appetite gone, right along with Jude. Though the latter was probably for the better. The longer he stayed, the more likely she was to fall apart.

  Seemed that, despite her insistence that Jude was only a friend, her heart had other plans. She’d gotten used to having him in her life again. Enjoyed it, even. The way he encouraged her, talked her through her troubles, helped her discover what she really wanted. Most of all, he made her feel safe.

  But even Jude couldn’t protect her from everything.

  Revealing her plans to him had been more heartrending than she’d expected. If only his proposal had been real. Not that he wasn’t sincere. His loyalty and protectiveness were two of his greatest qualities. Jude wanted to shield her from the Bradshaws. She got that. But she couldn’t marry someone who didn’t love her.

  Besides, the Bradshaws really did care about her. After Jude left last night, they’d apologized for what they’d put her through, as well as what Shane had done. Not only were they deeply troubled to learn the truth about their son, they’d vowed to make amends for his actions any way they could.

  That’s when Kayla knew what she had to do. Because the thought of something else happening that could jeopardize her baby was too much to bear. She asked them if she could live with them until the baby was born, and they’d agreed.

  Memories of tumbling down those stairs yesterday had her hugging her belly. Just the thought of what could have happened had tears stinging her eyes. Thank You, God, for protecting my baby. And me.

  “Good morning, dear.” Maureen walked into the room with Joe on her heels.

  Kayla sniffed and quickly freed her hands from beneath the blanket to swipe away any trace of tears while her mother-in-law hurriedly placed her purse in the chair near the window and shrugged out of her coat.

  Pausing at the foot of her bed, hands shoved in the pockets of his work pants, Joe appeared uncomfortable. As though he didn’t know what to say.

  Finally, he shrugged and said, “How are you?”

  The fact that he asked about her and not simply the baby warmed her heart. “Doing better.” She smoothed a hand over her belly. “However, I think someone is practicing to be a kicker for the Broncos.”

  That brought a smile to the oft-grouchy face of her father-in-law. He really could be a bit of a softy, though he preferred to hide beneath his tough exterior.

  Maureen lifted the lid on Kayla’s food tray, releasing the nauseating smell of scrambled eggs and sausage.

  Kayla’s stomach churned.

  Frowning, Maureen said, “You haven’t touched your breakfast, dear.”

  “I’m not very hungry.”

  “But what about the baby?” The woman stared at her very matter-of-factly. “The little one needs all the nutrition he or she can get for those growing bones and muscles.”

  Kayla got that. But nothing sounded good.

  “At least drink your milk.” The woman picked up the glass and passed it to Kayla.

  Why not? After all, that’s what she’d settled on after passing out at Lily’s wedding. That had been the first time she’d felt the baby kick, and Jude had been there to share the milestone with her. She recalled the look of wonder on his face as he reveled in that special moment.

  Shoving the thought aside, she accepted the cup and took a drink while Maureen retrieved her phone and poked at the screen. “I was thinking that it might be nice to turn Shane’s room into a nursery.”

  “Oh,” was all Kayla could manage as she struggled to wrap her aching head around the idea.

  “Yes, but it’s been so long since I’ve had a baby.” Maureen tapped at her phone screen again. “So, I went to the internet to look for some inspiration. There we go.” She handed the phone to Kayla. “What would you think about something like this?”

  She peered at the image on the screen. Surprisingly, it looked very similar to the nursery Lily had described the day Kayla moved into Livie’s House. Lots of natural light, greige walls, white crib—

  Her heart plummeted then. Jude’s crib. He’d put so much thought into it. First sketching out designs he thought she’d like, then getting the end pieces ready for her to see last Sunday.

  Her fingers automatically went to her lips. That was the same day he’d kissed her. And for one amazing moment she’d been able to let go of everything else and dare to dream.

  Funny how life could change so quickly. She should be used to it by now.

  “Do you like it?” Maureen waited hopefully.

  Kayla cleared her throat. “I do. Yeah, it’s very pretty.”

  “And so stylish.” Maureen reclaimed her phone. “Reminds of something that couple on HGTV would do.”

  “Just don’t be getting ideas about taking down any walls.” Joe eyed them both.

  While Maureen laughed him off, Kayla stared into her half-empty glass. What was wrong with her? She should be excited about her baby’s nursery. Shouldn’t she?

  Instead, all she could think about was Jude and the hotel. There was so much she was going to miss about Ouray.

  And what about Lily? She’d given Kayla the opportunity of a lifetime. Now Kayla was letting her down.

  Two raps on the door had Kayla looking that way as Lily breezed into the room. “Good morning, everyone.” A stylish saddle-brown tote purse hung from one elbow while her other hand held a foil pan encased in a clear plastic bag. “I brought you a present,” she continued in a singsong voice as she approached Kayla and set the pan in her lap.

  Kayla stared at it, her appetite suddenly returning. “Cinnamon rolls?”

  “From Granny’s Kitchen, of course.”

  Kayla undid the twist tie, allowing the sweet aroma to escape. “They smell divine.”

  Lily crossed to the food tray, dumped the toast from the plate and handed it to Kayla along with a fork. “Here you go.”

  “Thanks.” Kayla scooped a roll onto the plate before handing the pan back to her friend.

  “There’s plenty for everyone.” Lily looked from Maureen to Joe.

  Another rap at the door ushered in Kayla’s doctor. “Well, it certainly smells good in here.”

  Kayla swallowed her first gooey bite. “Care for a cinnamon roll?”

  Clad in a white lab coat, Dr. Lawrence eyed her plate as he approached. “Now that’s tempting.”

  A smiling Lily held up the pan. “We have extras.”

  He adjusted the stethoscope around his neck. “You ladies drive a hard bargain, but I’m afraid I’d be taking my life in my o
wn hands if I walked out of here with one of those and didn’t have any for the nurses.”

  “Good point.” Lily set the pan atop the bedside table. “Next time I’ll bring two pans.”

  The doctor flipped through the pages on Kayla’s chart. “Everything looks good. Baby’s healthy, so I’m going to go ahead and discharge you. However, no traveling for a week, and I’d prefer you not be alone for another twenty-four to forty-eight hours.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, Kayla saw Maureen open her mouth. Yet before she could say anything, Lily piped up.

  “I’m planning to stay with her.”

  “You are?” Kayla couldn’t help her surprise.

  “Why wouldn’t I? I’m the overprotective big sister, remember?”

  Yeah, who had a brand-new husband and two kids to care for, among other things. And she was Kayla’s birthing coach. Except Lily would be in Ouray while Kayla would be Denver. Who would be her birthing coach then?

  She glanced at her mother-in-law.

  Kayla was not comfortable with that scenario. But who else was there? Was she destined to deliver this baby alone?

  What little breakfast she’d eaten turned into a lead weight in her stomach.

  God, am I really doing the right thing by going back to Denver?

  * * *

  Jude didn’t think it was possible to feel any worse than he had when Kayla drove away from Ouray seven years ago. Then she dumped him—or so he thought—and he lost all contact with her. Knowing she was gone for good had left his heart battered and scarred.

  Still, none of that compared to what he was feeling now. Since leaving the hospital this morning, a deep, burrowing ache had wormed itself throughout his entire being. Just the simple act of breathing was almost more than he could bear. So, as night fell, he did the only thing he knew to do. He escaped to his shop and prayed everyone would leave him alone and let him ride out this latest storm all by himself.

  Standing at his workbench, he picked up one of the end pieces of the crib he’d started for Kayla. He smoothed his hand over the grain, thinking about the light that had sparkled in her eyes when he’d shown her. And the way she’d fit so perfectly in his arms when he’d kissed her. That kiss had held so much promise.