Page 75 of Welker

Things seemed to happen rapidly after that. The surgeon came in and pronounced Moira, fine. An orderly arrived shortly thereafter and transported her upstairs to a private room. She got settled quickly with a new nurse in attendance, and very soon after that, Welker took a chair and fell sound asleep beside Moira, his head cradled on his arms next to where she slept.

They were both in and out of slumber until the next morning, when the day nurse came to get Moira up and into the bathroom—for which she was grateful. Then, after eating a bland, soft breakfast, a stream of visitors started up.

First, it was each and every squad member, arriving in groups of five. They came with flowers, funny little stuffed birds in a vast array of colors, and Sin had even found a rubber ducky in a sheriff’s uniform that she gifted Moira. It was all so touching. Each teammate assured Moira that if she needed anything, to simply ask; and that included smuggled food when she got tired of the crap that she was being served.

Mason and Everlee stood supervising each unit as they came and went, then after the entire team had finally passed through, they gave Moira gentle hugs and also took their leave.

In the afternoon, Welker’s mother Bette came with Margaret in tow. Callie and Sabira showed up a few minutes later, and because the available chairs were taken, they sat on either side of Moira who was propped up in bed. They chatted about the special dishes Sabira would whip up, once Moira got home.

“Wow.” Things had obviously, finally hit Moira. “This has been…” her eyes became decidedly teary. After a full day of love, she was clearly overcome. “I can’t believe all this.” She swept her arm around the room at the myriad of bouquets and gifts that had amassed.

Sabira put a hand on Moira’s arm and squeezed. “You deserve everything and m?—”

The door opened, interrupting Sabira.

A man walked in as if he owned the place.

Welker wasn’t familiar with him. Who was?—?

“Moira,” the man grunted gruffly.

“Father?” Moira’s face went from calm and happy, to instantly on alert.

Shit. This was her father. Welker didn’t like it.

Moira was supposed to be relaxing, and this asshole’s presence had clearly put her on edge. And from what he’d heard about Tom Bliss, Welker understood Moira’s trepidation. The man had better behave. If he so much as blinked sideways, Welk wouldn’t be responsible for his actions.

While the man took in the room and clearly found it lacking, Welker assessed him.

Tall. Good looking enough if you liked the pretentiously dressed, overly-groomed thing the man had going on. Salt and pepper hair. Clear brown eyes, and a minor resemblance to Moira in his strong chin and cheekbone structure. But that’s where the likenesses ended. Moira had nothing of this man’s baked-in arrogance.

“What are you doing here?” Moira finally asked, and Welker noticed her chin trembling.

“The sheriff called and told me you’d been shot. He said you were at death’s door.” Mr. Bliss’s mouth tightened. “I came to see if that was true, but now I know he was exaggerating. You’re fine, and clearly you have your girlfriend here to comfort you so you don’t need me to help you with anything.” There was a pained look on his face as he regarded Sabira, whose had was still on Moira, before he awkwardly gazed around at the rainbow-colored birds that decorated the room, taking a few steps backward.

Welker had heard enough. “First of all,” he said, stepping up beside Moira, “that girlfriend you mentioned isn’t Moira’s girlfriend. She’s my sister’s wife.” He pointed to both women, then continued. “Which still doesn’t account for why that even matters.”

Mr. Bliss looked confused. “Who are you?”

“I’m Moira’s boyfriend,” Welker growled.

That got the shocked face that Welker expected, and he didn’t give a shit as he kept speaking. “And just to let you know, I’m perfectly capable of taking care of all Moira’s needs, so don’t feel you have to stay here out of any sudden and unprecedented onset of parental concern. There’s the door.”

Welker knew he might have overstepped, but he didn’t like that Moira had looked like a defeated woman upon her father’s arrival. He also wanted her to know he’d do anything short of murdering the son-of-a-bitch, to make her feel comfortable.

Welker’s entire speech about Tom leaving went right over the man’s head as he gawped at Welk. “You…? She…?” The man glanced rapidly between Welker and Moira, his mouth hanging open.

Moira finally answered.

“That’s right, Father. I’m his girlfriend.” Moira acted as if she might be coming around, albeit slowly, to regaining her sense of self. She nodded between Welk and her patriarch. “Welker Vestore, meet Thomas Bliss.”

She laid her hand over Sabira’s who’d attempted to draw it away, and held it in place with a shake of her head.

Good for Moira.

Since his woman was stepping up, Welker would try not to be too much of an asshole. He stuck out his hand first, and Tom actually accepted the gesture, shaking distractedly as he took in Welk’s casual appearance. Luckily, Welk’s family had brought him clean jeans and a T-shirt, so he wasn’t in yesterday’s turn-outs. Not that he gave a shit. He kind of wished he was filthy and still smelled bad.

Tom cleared his throat. “You’re actually…?”

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