Page 82 of Sheriff's City Girl

I pursed my lips, wishing she would’ve let that be my choice. However, I wasn’t in the mood to argue with her. I was too tired and too traumatized.

“Well, congrats,” Lucas said to me, a smile on his face. “I’ll bet Mason was shocked… And then excited. He loves kids.”

“Yeah, I didn’t ever get to see the exciting part,” I admitted, sadness creeping in at the thought. “I’ll see it soon though.”

“Yeah, of course,” Lucas said quickly. He removed his cowboy hat and ran his fingers through his hair, looking more perplexed than before. “Hopefully, he’ll bounce back quickly.”

“Took me ages to find y’all,” Jackson’s voice cut in from behind us. “I swear I can’t ever find my way around a hospital.”

“That’s concerning,” Lucas muttered, leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes. I had no idea what time it was, but I was starting to feel the weight of no sleep more and more with every passing minute.

“Emma, I think I need to go ahead and get you home,” Jackson said, his voice soft. “You’ve got to get some sleep, and I know that’s what Mason would want.”

I shook my head, feeling singled out. “I don’t want to go home.”

“You look like hell,” he argued, his face hardening. “You need to get home and get some sleep—or maybe Lily can let you stay at her house. You’re gonna have to give a statement, and I already talked with the doc. They won’t wake him up until tomorrow. Lucas can stay here with Jess.”

“He’s right,” Lily said quietly, standing to her feet and nudging Dara, who had drifted off. “Dara can even stay here with Jess and Lucas… But you need to get some rest, both of you.”

Jackson looked confused at the statement, but I understood what she was saying, and I couldn’t argue with her.

“Please,” Lily added, her eyes meeting mine. “You can come to my house and sleep in the spare room so you’re not alone, but you look absolutely beat.”

With a sigh, I nodded. “Okay, but we’re coming back as soon as I rest for a while.”

“Absolutely,” Lily gave me a reassuring smile. “I’ll have you here the moment you’re awake.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

Mason

“Hey, Dad,” Jess’s voice was soft and sweet as my eyes fluttered open. “You’ve been sleeping forever.”

A searing pain shot through my chest as the beeping of the monitor registered. What the hell happened to me? My mind couldn’t put it all together—though obviously whatever it was had landed my ass in the hospital.

“Dad?” Jess’s voice grew worried as I let out a groan.

“What the hell happened?” I muttered, my throat burning like I had swallowed buckets of sand. My eyes adjusted to the light, and I took in the sight of my daughter sitting beside me. Her hair was up in a messy bun, and honestly, she looked rough. There were dark circles under her eyes, and her mascara was smeared across her face—like she had been wiping tears away.

Ah, shit.

“You were shot… Do you not remember?” Jess’s brows furrowed with concern. “The doctor said your head was fine…”

“Yeah, my head doesn’t hurt, honey,” I reassured her, squeezing her hand. “There’s no worries about my head. I’m just a little fuzzy on my memory. I know it’ll come back. I remember everything else,” I added confidently just as the thought of Emma hit me.

Where is she?!

I whipped my head around, and Jess was startled by the quick motion. “Where is she?” I demanded, looking back at Jess. “Where is Emma?”

“I’m right here,” Emma’s voice caused my heart to nearly stop as I looked back to the doorway, where she was entering. She was wearing one of her olive colored maxi dresses with the little flowers, adorned with bracelets and some chunky necklace…

And I had never been more relieved to see here.

“Are you okay?” I choked out, taking her in. “How’s the baby?”

Emma’s eyes widened, her lips parting—but no words came out.

“Uh… baby?” Jess echoed, her voice full of confusion. “What baby? What’re you talking about?” Her eyes darted between the two of us, and I suddenly realized my mistake.

---