Page 9 of Rancher’s Healing (Flying Diamond 5)

CHAPTER NINE

TAYLA

“ O k, what’s the plan for tonight? I’m boyfriend and kid free.” I walked into Fallon and Nash’s house for girls’ night.

“Boyfriend?” Nora and Kristin asked at the same time, each sitting up a little straighter.

“Yes, boyfriend. What did you think he was?” I asked as I sat down on the couch.

“Well, you’ve never defined it, so we weren’t sure what was going on,” Fallon said, as she walked out of the kitchen with a tray of appetizers. She set them on the table and sat beside me.

“It feels juvenile calling him my boyfriend, but he’s not my partner, and I don’t know what else to say. So, boyfriend, it is.” I shrugged as I leaned forward, scooping a tortilla chip in the dip Fallon had made.

“They’re so cute at the clinic. They try to hide the fact they’re in love, but the longing glances and the kisses in the staff room are a dead giveaway.” Elle said, as she giggled.

“Hey that’s work secrets. You aren’t supposed to talk about it.” I looked over at Elle, who couldn’t stop her laughter.

“So what’s new? I’ve been so busy at the clinic and teaching Jake’s girls to ride, I feel like I haven’t seen you all for a month.” I looked at the girls, and we fell into comfortable chatter.

My phone rang, and I looked down at Jake’s number. The girls ooh’d and huddled around me as I answered the call. “Hi babe.” My words chipper and the girls all awed behind me.

“I’m so sorry to interrupt your evening.” He sounded tired, and I could tell there was tension in his voice.

“What’s wrong, Jake?” I stood from the couch and walked into the kitchen, where I could have some privacy.

“Are the girls okay?” My stomach dropped, thinking something might have happened to one of them.

The thought took me a little off guard, because I’d only ever worried about myself, and now here I was asking my boyfriend if his kids were okay.

“They’re fine, but Jason and Hattie were in a car accident. The girls were at her mother’s house, and I want them home. I hate to ask you but…”

“I’m on my way. Does she still live in Weston Gap?” I walked out of the kitchen and grabbed my purse and rooted through it for my keys. Grabbing a piece of paper, I wrote what Jake had told me, and I ran out the door.

“Yeah, same house as always,” he sighed, and I wanted to be there for him, to be the one he relied on.

Getting in my truck, I turned the key, and it roared to life. “Okay, I’m leaving the ranch now. Do they know?”

“Yes, I talked to them. They are upset, and rightfully so, but they just want to be in their own house tonight. The hospital has relieved me, and I’ll head home as soon as my replacement gets here, but it will be late when I get there.

” I heard a muffled page in the background that included his name.

“I have to go. I’ll call you when I’m leaving. ”

“All right, sounds good. Jake?” I said my stomach was churning, but I needed to say it.

“Yeah?”

“I love you.” Silence filled the space between us, and I wondered if I’d said the wrong thing.

“I love you too, sunshine. Gotta go.” His voice was slightly perkier than it had been only moments ago.

“Bye.” I said just as the line went dead. He loved me, too. There was no hesitation. He’d just said it, and I couldn’t stop smiling.

* * *

My drive to town was slightly accelerated. I just wanted to get to the girls and get them home. Knocking on the door, I was greeted by Hattie’s mother. “Hi Mrs. Wallace.”

“Thank you for coming to get them. They want to be in their own beds, and I need to get to the city.” She stepped out onto the step and pulled the door almost closed behind her. “The hospital just called, and things aren’t looking good for Hattie right now. They want me there as soon as possible.”

“Oh no, do you need someone to drive you? I don’t like the idea of you driving all that way alone.

” Fallon and Hattie had been best friends growing up.

I’d spent a lot of time here over the years, so it wasn’t quite as awkward as it could have been.

There were frogs croaking and crickets chirping, but other than that, nothing was said.

“I appreciate that, Tayla. There aren’t many women who’d offer to help the ex-mother-in-law of her boyfriend.”

“Well, I knew you long before you were Jake’s ex-mother-in-law, so we’ll say it’s for old times’ sake.” I smiled, and she chuckled slightly.

“Let’s say that.” She nodded. “My son is on his way over. He’s going to take me, but thank you again.” Just then, the door opened, and two tearful girls walked out to where I stood. Opening my arms, they both rushed me, and I wrapped them in a hug.

“Say bye to your grandma, and I’ll get you home,” I said quietly after I’d kissed them both on the head. They turned and hugged Hattie’s mom, and we left, both girls silent. I wasn’t sure what to say to them.

Once we got home, they curled up on the couch.

They wanted to wait until Jake got home, and I didn’t have the heart to send them to bed.

Jake had texted that he was on his way, but he hadn’t called, which was fine since I had one girl on each side of me sleeping on my lap, a show on the tv turned down low.

The door creaked as it opened, and I looked over from where I was sitting. “Hi sunshine.” He smiled, but it was a tired smile, and I thought he looked like he’d aged ten years since I’d seen him last night.

Jake walked around the couch and looked at his daughters asleep, their heads each resting on one of my legs.

I didn’t want to tell him that my rear end was asleep, and I was sure I’d be stuck in this position for the rest of my life.

“They wanted to wait until you came home, and I didn’t think it would hurt anything.

” I shrugged, and he leaned over and pressed his lips to mine.

“Thank you for dropping everything and getting them for me.” A smile finally cracked his face.

“What happened?” I asked quietly as Jake picked up Libby, and I followed him down the hall with Skyla. He kissed each of them goodnight, and we closed the doors to their rooms.

“Hattie and Jason had gone out for supper, and Jason had too much to drink. Instead of being smart and finding a place to stay, he got behind the wheel and they headed for home.” Jake leaned back and stretched before finishing the story.

Taking his hand, I pulled him down the hallway and into the livingroom.

I guided him to sit, and I curled up beside him.

“They got about four blocks from the restaurant. He was going way too fast and drove into oncoming traffic. Hit a semi that was stopped waiting for a light to change. Jason didn’t make it.

He bled out on scene, and Hattie will be touch and go.

” Jake ran his hands through his hair and sighed before glancing at his watch.

“She’s probably out of surgery now. I should check my phone.

” Jake checked his phone and breathed a sigh of relief when he read that Hattie had stabilized and all her vitals were good.

“I don’t want the girls to lose their mom.

We might not always get along these days, but it’s not fair for the girls to grow up without her. ”

“I’m taking you to bed. To sleep, not to fool around.” Jake held his hand out and exhaustion covered his face. He stood and pulled me off the couch.

“Boy, I’m glad you clarified.” I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

“I’m far too sleepy to do anything.” I wrapped my arm around his waist, and he put his arm over my shoulder.

Turning the lights out as we went, the only sounds besides our footsteps came from the outdoors.

A slight breeze had started at some point since I got here, and the leaves on the trees were rustling as we got ready for bed.

Cuddling up next to him, I waited for him to say more, but he didn’t.

There would be time for discussions, treatment information, and prognosis.

Right now, I just wanted him to know he wasn’t alone.

“I meant what I said on the phone, Jake. I love you and I love the girls. From now on, it’s not interrupting me if you need me for anything, okay?

I’m here for you, the three of you, always. ”

“I’ve loved you for ten years, Tayla Miller, and I’ll love you for the rest of my life.” He kissed my head, and we drifted off to fitful sleep, keeping one ear open for the girls and his cell phone for updates.