Page 27 of Roaring Fork Rockstar (Roaring Fork Ranch #3)

“It’s one of the most successful ways to win the battle against ALL,” she explained. “We’d like to start testing for potential donors as soon as possible, so we have options if we decide to pursue that course.”

“I’ll get tested,” I said immediately.

“Me too,” said Holt.

“Parents are always considered at least half matches, which is good. But we prefer to find a full match if possible.” She hesitated, then asked, “Is Luna’s father available to be tested as well?”

I swallowed hard, avoiding Holt’s gaze. “He’s not in the picture,” I said stiffly.

“I understand,” she said gently. “But if there’s any way to contact him, it could significantly increase Luna’s chances of finding an ideal match.”

I was unable to speak around the knot in my throat. The thought of contacting Remi—who had denied Luna was even his—made me physically ill.

“We’ll get as many people tested as possible,” Holt said, his hand finding mine. “Starting with Keltie and me.”

The doctor left, saying she’d schedule the tests and let us know how soon they could take place. I rested against the chair when the magnitude of everything crashed over me.

“Hey,” Holt said, reaching for my hand. “Talk to me.”

“Remi didn’t believe she was his,” I whispered, staring at our clasped hands. “How am I supposed to ask him to get tested?”

“What if I talk to him?” Holt offered. “I can explain the situation, make it clear this isn’t about parental rights or money.”

I looked up at him, stunned by the offer. “You would do that?”

“I’d do anything for Luna,” he said simply. “And for you.”

The honesty in his voice made my throat ache. Before I could respond, he continued, “Actually, I have another idea. I’ll call Ben.”

“Ben Rice? Why?”

“Ben knows Remi better than I do. And he’s got more leverage. Remi might ignore me, but he can’t ignore his boss.”

I considered this. “You’d tell Ben about Luna’s paternity?”

Holt shook his head, then sighed. “Based on when you ‘left’ and Luna’s age, he pretty much put it together. It’s worth contacting him, Keltie. Luna needs as many potential donors as possible.”

He was right, and when I accepted it, the relief that flooded me was immediate. “Thank you,” I whispered.

Luna’s nurse appeared in the doorway. “We’re going to give your daughter something to help her sleep. She needs a lot of rest before tomorrow,” she announced.

I took a deep breath and stood, Holt rising beside me. As we returned to Luna’s bedside, he kept his hand at the small of my back.

My father woke as we entered, instantly alert to the change in atmosphere. Luna looked tiny in the hospital bed, her wide eyes taking in the array of medical equipment being wheeled into the room. “What’s all this?” I asked as quietly as I could.

“For tomorrow,” the nurse whispered.

“Mommy?” Her voice trembled. “What’s happening?”

I sat on the edge of her bed, taking her small hand in mine. “Remember how the doctors said they needed to give you special medicine to make you better? They’re going to give you the first part when you wake up in the morning.”

She looked beyond me. “Are you leaving again, Mr. Holt?”

“I’m not going anywhere, Unicorn Girl,” he promised, settling into the chair beside her bed.

Holt and I spent the night in the room with Luna, giving my father a much-needed break.

By morning, the nurses began preparing for her first treatment.

I gripped Holt’s hand as the drugs that would hopefully save my daughter’s life began flowing through her IV.

Throughout it all, Holt continued his story of brave unicorn girls and magical healing flowers—his voice steady and reassuring when mine would have failed me.

When Luna finally drifted to sleep and the first round was complete, I remained seated at her bedside, knowing if I tried to stand, I’d probably pass out.

Holt dragged the other chair beside mine and sat down, offering me a cup of terrible hospital coffee.

“You should rest,” he said quietly.

“I can’t leave her,” I replied, staring at Luna’s pale face.

He rubbed my shoulders. “I know.”

“You can go?—”

“I’m not leaving your side, Keltie, so whatever you were about to say, don’t bother.”

Exhaustion pulled at me, but every time my eyes started to close, I jerked myself awake.

“Tell me about the first song you ever wrote,” I said, desperate to stay awake, to keep watch over my daughter.

Holt smiled, understanding what I needed. “It was terrible. I was fourteen and thought I knew everything about heartbreak after Berta Thompson dumped me at the spring dance.”

“Let me guess—lots of references to tears and rain?”

“And broken hearts and empty promises,” he confirmed with a self-deprecating chuckle. “I played it for Flynn once, and she laughed so hard she almost choked on her cereal.”

I smiled despite everything. “What was the first good song you wrote?”

He thought for a moment. “Probably ‘Montana Sky.’ I wrote it after a road trip with Cord and Porter when I was nineteen. It was the first time I felt like I’d captured something real.”

“I’d like to hear it sometime,” I said, my eyes heavy.

“You will,” he promised.

We talked into the night, Holt telling stories about growing up on the ranch, about his brothers and sister, about his dreams for his music. I shared memories of my sound-engineering days, the bands I’d worked with before CB Rice, the thrill of crafting the perfect mix.

At some point, I moved to his lap and my head drooped against his shoulder. The last thing I remembered before sleep claimed me was the comforting weight of his arms.

I woke to new voices in the room. Luna was still asleep while Holt spoke with Dr. Robbins and a man I didn’t recognize.

“This is Dr. Bigsby, our transplant specialist,” Dr. Robbins explained when she noticed I was awake.

He stepped forward and shook my hand. “Hello, Ms. Marquez.”

“Keltie, please.” While I was able to speak a couple of words, my mind was reeling.

Any hope I’d had of keeping Remi from knowing my daughter, was gone.

I had no choice, though. Her survival was all that mattered.

Not my pride, not how much of an asshole he was.

Nothing trumped Luna’s health. “How soon?” I managed to ask.

“Not immediately,” Dr. Bigsby assured me. “We’ll try to get her into remission with chemotherapy first. But I understand Dr. Robbins told you we’d like to start testing potential donors now, so we’re prepared if the time comes.”

“I’m ready whenever you are,” I said firmly.

Dr. Robbins put her hand on my arm like she so often did. “I understand this is difficult, but I highly recommend we test Luna’s biological father in the event you are not a full match.”

“We’ll make sure it happens,” said Holt, who stood quietly beside me.

“The testing process is like any other blood draw. We can do yours this morning if you’re ready,” Dr. Bigsby suggested.

“We’re ready,” I confirmed, grateful for the doctor’s professionalism.

After they left, I turned to Holt. “When do you have to leave?” I asked, too tired to count the hours since he’d arrived.

“About that…”

My eyes opened wide, and I gasped. Had he already been here over forty-eight hours?

He took my hands in his. “It’s good news. Buck spoke with the attorney, who, I guess, spoke with the trustee, who agreed to allow me to remain in Denver as long as necessary.”

“Holt, I don’t want you to feel as though you have to?—”

“Keltie, you and Luna mean the world to me, but I couldn’t be the one responsible for my siblings losing their inheritance. Buck has it in writing if you want to see it.” He winked.

“You’re telling me the truth?”

His relaxed expression tightened. “I will always tell you the truth. That’s a promise.”

Before I could say more, Luna stirred, her eyes fluttering open. “Mommy? Mr. Holt?” Her voice was raspier than usual, an early sign of the drugs’ effects.

“We’re right here, baby,” I assured her, leaning down to kiss her forehead.

“Can you hold me?”

Her pleading voice nearly shattered me. “Of course I can.” I climbed beside her into the narrow hospital bed, careful not to disturb the IV line, and held my daughter as close as I could.

Holt kissed each of our foreheads. “I have to make a couple of phone calls, but I’m not leaving.”

“Promise?” Luna whispered.

“I promise.” He reached for her tiny hand and wrapped his pinky around hers.