Page 48 of Cougar Chronicles

“His femur’s cracked. The doc was amazed he didn’t have more broken bones. He won’t need surgery, but he’ll wear a cast for a few months. They did an MRI and a CT scan.” Jack sighed. “No internal bleeding, thank God.”

Holly let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.

“He’s resting now. They have him pretty doped up. He’s going to be in a lot of pain. The bruises are already forming all over his little body…” Jack stared at the white wall of the waiting room.

Holly gently cupped his cheek and turned his face to her. “Will he stay the night?”

“Yeah. I’m stayin’ with him. I can’t leave him alone.”

“I understand.”

“Could you…?” He sighed. “This is a lot to ask, Holly.

“You can ask me anything.”

“Would you mind driving back to the ranch and getting some stuff for me? A change of clothes, my toothbrush, you know.”

“Not at all. I’d do anything for you and Sam. I hope you know that.”

“I appreciate it.”

“Are you hungry? I can get you something.”

“No.” He rested his elbows on his thighs and cupped his face in his hands. “I can’t eat.”

“You should eat something. You probably haven’t eaten since breakfast.” She checked her watch. “It’s nearly five.”

“Can’t. Not hungry.”

“All right.” She’d bring him something anyway. “It’s a long drive to your place. I won’t be back for a few hours. Have you called Luisa?”

“No. Would you?”

“Sure.”

Holly quickly programmed the number Jack gave her into her cell. “I’ll call her on the way home.”

Home? When had she started thinking of Jack’s place as home? He hadn’t said he loved her. She hadn’t told him yet. Now wasn’t the time.

She grabbed her purse and gave the top of his head a kiss. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“I should have been with him,” Jack mumbled. “I sent him off to eat lunch so I could talk to you. He should have been my first priority.”

“Oh, Jack, sweetheart. How many times have you sent Sam off to have lunch?”

He nodded. “I know. And nothing ever happened. But this time…”

Holly smoothed Jack’s rumpled hair. “Don’t blame yourself. Please. He’s going to be all right. Just thank God for that and move on, okay?”

He nodded into his hands.

Holly knelt in front of him and lifted his face to meet her gaze. “This isn’t your fault.” It wasn’t. It was hers. It was hers for leaving in the first place and then coming back. She’d kept his attention away from his son.

No, she couldn’t think like that. It was no one’s fault. Things happened. Her cancer had been no one’s fault.

She leaned forward and brushed her lips lightly across his. Maybe this was the time, after all. She thumbed his stubbled cheek and kissed him again. “I love you,” she whispered against his mouth.

Before he could respond, she escaped the waiting room.

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