Page 56 of Love Me Fearless

“You’ve been an angel,” Mom says. “Thank you, honey.”

Should I walk Ava out and try to talk to her? Or stay with Mom? Before I can decide, Ava slips into the hallway. Though it kills me, I let her go. Mom needs me now.

“How was the search?” Mom asks like we’re picking up a conversation over morning coffee and not stuck in a hospital room with her hooked to wires and machines.

Flashes from my adventurous day race through my mind, but I coax them back with a full breath and pull up a chair. “Successful.”

Mom’s inquisitive eyes linger on me, making me squirm. “Why can’t you and Ava seem to be in the same room together? What did you do to her?”

I open my mouth to defend myself, but Dr. Shelby steps into the room.

“While I love seeing you both, I’m not happy about the circumstances.”

A petite woman with dark hair peeks out from behind her. “Hello, I’m Emily,” she says, giving us a little wave. “I’m shadowing Dr. Shelby today.”

I focus on their debrief, but Mom’s comment is like a broken gear in my brain, and the information from the doctors is confusing. They seem confident Mom will improve, but they don’t mention the surgery she needs. Is this a setback or just a normal part of the process on the road to recovery?

They’ve only just left when Beth breezes in with chicken pot pie from the diner and two friends, both guys.

“Who are you?” I cross my arms and don’t try to hide my scowl. They look out of place in here. Faded Wranglers and scuffed boots, smelling like hay and hormones.

Beth gives me an aggressive huff. “Guys, this is my big brother, Ryan. He was just leaving.”

I shoot Mom a wary glance but she winks, like Beth with two testosterone-fueled bronc riders is completely normal.

Is it?

“Meet me outside for a minute,” I say to Beth, nodding for the door.

I don’t have to wait long. Beth storms out, eyes flashing. “Why do have to be such a jerk? Cam and Wilder are myfriends.”

Taking this bait is tempting, but as much as winning a fight with my firecracker of a sister might feel victorious, I have more important ways to use my energy right now. “The doctors are keeping Mom overnight so they can monitor how she responds to the medication. Her oxygen saturation needs to improve or they may need to keep her longer.” There’s more, but I’m not sure how to say it, and I’m not going to try in this strained moment in this unfriendly place.

Beth frowns like she can read my distress. “We’ll keep her company until they kick us out.”

“Good.”

“Heard you found a dead body today,” she says.

The Finn River underground radio is alive and well. “Who told you?”

“Wilder’s dad was on the team.”

“It’s not common knowledge, so keep it under wraps.”

“Any idea who it was?”

“No.” It comes out harsher than I want it to, but I can’t help it. “I want you home early tonight.”

“Why?”

I answer with a look. “Midnight.”

Beth’s nostrils flare. “Whatever,” she huffs, and spins away.

Because our 4Hhelpers are attending a county fair event in Darby this weekend, I’m on my own for chores. Given the turbulent thoughts running through my head, I don’t mind. The work will give me something else to focus on.

When I reach the end of the driveway, I’m surprised to see Ava’s car parked to the side and the light on in the barn. I assumed she would have already come and gone the way she’s been doing all week.

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