Page 25 of Cowboy Don't Go

A code blue sounded over the intercom and, all around him, the sound of orderlies, nurses and doctors rushing down the hallway jerked his pulse again. He followed them halfway, until he saw them go into someone else’s curtained-off area. It wasn’t his father.

“Cooper, where are you?” Shay asked. “Are you at the hospital? Are you sick?”

“No. It’s not—Listen, just tell Liam—I’ve got to go.”

“Wait. Do you need someone to come? Cooper? I’m coming. I’ll be right there.”

“Please. Don’t,” he warned.

No one knew about his father yet. He hadn’t told anyone he’d come home. He wasn’t sure why. He’d wanted to give him time. Both of them time.

But she’d already hung up.

Cooper cussed, rubbing his forehead. It was one thing to hire him on, eight years past the whole scandal that had taken his family down. It very well might be something else entirely if they knew his father was fresh out of prison and living back in Marietta. With Cooper. Maybe they’d fire him. He needed that job. But how could he keep any of this a secret now?

Fifteen minutes later, Shay appeared at the entrance of emergency, scanning the waiting room for him. When she met his eyes, she exhaled, as if she’d been holding her breath.

He got to his feet as she approached him, thinking how glad he was to see a familiar face. Not just any familiar face. Hers.

“Cooper—” she said, stopping in front of him. “You’re okay.”

Was he? He wasn’t sure.

“What’s going on?” she asked. “What are you doing here?”

“You shouldn’t have come,” he said. “But I’m . . . grateful that you did.”

She nodded, waiting for him to tell her.

He tipped his chin in the direction of the ER beds. “It’s my father.”

Shock registered on her face. “Your father? But . . . isn’t he in—”

“He was released a week ago.” To her shocked expression, he explained, “I didn’t mention it because I didn’t want to stir up any trouble at the ranch or here in town. He did his time. That’s over now. But he’s sick. Very sick apparently.”

“Oh. Cooper. I . . . I’m really sorry.”

Cooper stared at his hands. “It’s cancer. But he doesn’t want to treat it. He refuses to see a doctor. Well—” He gestured around them. “He doesn’t have a choice now. But I think prison just . . . broke him.”

Shay reached for his hand and her fingers warmed his. “I-I’m so sorry. And you’ve been working so hard on the ranch. I can’t imagine that it’s been easy for you, taking care of him and trying to manage his care, too.”

When she released his hand, he tucked his arms against his chest. “Look, I know you and others around here have big feelings about my father, but I need the job, Shay.”

“I know. That’s not what I’m saying. Of course, you have the job. What are the doctors saying?”

“A day, maybe two here. Then, I’ll take him home. But he’s . . . he’s not taking care of himself. Not really eating well.”

“That’s bad. He shouldn’t be alone.”

“I know. But . . .”

She took a deep breath. “Then, bring him to the ranch. With us. You can use the apartment attached to the barn. Our old ranch manager, Holland Meeks, lived there forever. It’s not The Ritz, but it’s nice. There’s a kitchenette. A bedroom. He can be there where we can keep an eye on him during the day and you can stay there, too. For as long as you need. Make sure he eats and doesn’t fall.”

“I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t ask. I offered.”

Now he looked her in the eye. “But why? You didn’t even want me at the ranch, much less my father—”

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