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But she wouldn't mention that. Right now, the attention was on Georgie and avoiding the media. The media had been relentless since Riggs and Gunner found Georgie, and Josh was killed. Russ had patrols stationed at the gates of the ranch to keep reporters out. That hadn't stopped news outlets from sending drone operators to fly over the ranch, hoping to catch a glimpse of Riggs, Gunner, or Georgie. It was something of a nightmare. Riggs was followed almost daily to and from the hospital. Every news outlet, talk show, commentator, and gossip site discussed it.
Naomie didn't like it but understood. Riggs was the nephew of the President, and he and Gunner were hailed as heroes for saving Grace and Georgie. Grace wasn't charged for shooting Josh and wanted no attention. She'd tell anyone who listened that she was no hero. Georgie saved her while Riggs and Gunner were working to apprehend Josh. What she did was a moment of terror and insanity. She was just grateful she had not been charged.
Georgie underwent surgery for internal injuries, and she remained in critical condition for five long days. When she was downgraded to stable four days ago and moved into a standard room, Naomie broke down and cried, finally releasing all the pent-up fear. To say the family's lives had been disrupted was putting it mildly.
Riggs had barely slept. He'd sat beside Georgie's bed, sometimes with Robby and sometimes alone. And now, they were again waiting to hear and praying that news would be good.
Riggs wasn't home when Robby woke this morning, so Naomie was tending to him while they waited to hear from Riggs.
Russell's cell phone rang, and he pulled it from his pocket. "Riggs," he announced as he answered on speakerphone. "Morning, son. How are things this morning."
"I'm bringing her home."
"Today?" Naomie blurted.
"She'll be discharged in a couple of hours."
"Oh, thank God," Naomie smiled while tears streamed down her face.
"That's great news, son. You want us to make her up a room here?
"No," Georgie's voice sounded. "I appreciate the offer, but with your permission, sir, I'd like to stay with Riggs and Robby in the—"
"The cottage beside Gran," Riggs finished.
"You sure you want to stay there?" Russell asked.
"Positive. I like it there. Gran is next door, where I can keep an eye out for her, and she can be close to Robby, and it's a good place for Georgie to regain her strength. Besides, Gun will be on the other side, and no one has our backs like Gun.""
"Whatever you want," Russell agreed. "We'll be waiting. Be safe coming home."
"You know it."
Russell ended the call and looked at Naomie. "Well?"
"Well, what?"
"Do you think this thing with him and Georgie is going somewhere that might make him truly opt for life as a rancher, or will he change his mind and return to duty?"
"I think having Georgie with him will make him eager for life as a rancher. It's as clear as the nose on your face, Russ. He's crazy in love with her. And she is with him. Look what they both were willing to risk for the other. Look at your son. Before he took on saving Georgie, he did nothing but second guess himself, question if he was fit enough, strong enough, if losing a foot cost him his edge.
"Look at him now. He's Riggs again. A hero."
Russ smiled. "You have a point."
"Don't I always?" she teased.
"Indeed you do, Naomie. Thank my lucky stars. Indeed you do."
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Six months had passed since Riggs brought Georgie home to Heritage, his family’s ranch. She’d started working part-time at Sanctuary, the rehabilitation center in Cotton Creek. Thanks to regular sessions with the therapist there, these days, she didn’t wake up screaming or fighting in the middle of the night as much. She still spooked easily and sometimes he heard her softly cry at night, but when that happened he held her close and promised to always protect her.
Riggs’ family all loved her, and to his surprise, he didn’t regret the decision to leave the service and become a rancher. Nor did Gunner. Everyone was surprised at how he’d taken to the life.
Gunner, he, Georgie, and Riggs’ grandmother formed a weekly routine, taking turns fixing dinner, and even his father and Naomie joined. Before it was over, the entire family, all his brothers and their families joined in, and it became a new tradition, the family having dinner together, taking turns on whose house would host. The Walker family had reconnected and were stronger than ever.
And happier. Riggs smiled as he thought about it, sitting on his porch swing, watching Robby play with his toys in his playpen while Georgie sat beside him with her tablet, going over new treatment methods that might be beneficial to a SEAL that had recently been sent to Sanctuary for rehab.