Page 135 of We Redeemed the Rain

I don’t know what to do! Hollie, can Garret watch the girlsso you can go help Bea?

Hollie

I seriously doubt he’d agree to do that, but I’ll ask.

Mom

Even for an emergency?

Hollie

I’m texting him now.

Peter

I could come down…but if Bea needs help in the shower…? If no one is available, I could ask Sarah to help and we could both come. Where’s Jackie?

As if summoned by the mere mention of her name, a text from Jackie came in.

Jackie

I VOLUNTEER. Everyone can calm down! I’ve got this. I’m booking my ticket now. And for heaven’s sake, Mom, have a glass of wine. She’s not dead.

Mom

She needs her mother.

Hollie

I agree. Jackie isn’t compassionate.

Jackie

Pish posh. She doesn’t need compassion. She needs someone to drive her and make sure she doesn’t bust her head in the shower.

Jackie

San Antonio, right sis?

Me

Yeah. Thanks Jackie.

Jackie

I’m gonna VM you.

My phone continued to ding as the group chat went on and on. Even Dad chimed in and he hated our group texts.

Finally, a voice message from Jackie came in.

I glanced at Tag. He was leaning back in the chair next to the bed, his head propped against the wall. His eyes had been closed for over twenty minutes. Maybe he was sleeping. I hoped he was. Despite getting only a couple hours of sleep, he still looked sogood. His hat was on the foot of the bed, his fists were folded under his arms, making his muscles bulge. His red t-shirt was taut, accentuating the form of his collarbone and shoulders. And his jean-clad legs were spread, comfortable and relaxed. I couldn’t look at him too long without getting wild ideas that made me feel uncomfortably hot.

I felt awful keeping him away from his horses. I commanded him to go back to the ranch and just pick me up later when they discharged me, but he refused to leave me alone, insisting Cooper had it under control.

Tag spoke on the phone with Cooper at about 6:30 a.m., telling him exactly what to do. The barest of bare essentials. Jesse was due in before lunch. Tag called him, too.

Cooper was overwhelmed with the feeding. Tag got fifteen calls from him by 8 a.m.

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