Page 71 of Roaring Fork Rockstar

The doctor left, saying she’d schedule the tests and let us know how soon they could take place. I rested against the chair when the magnitude of everything crashed over me.

“Hey,” Holt said, reaching for my hand. “Talk to me.”

“Remi didn’t believe she was his,” I whispered, staring at our clasped hands. “How am I supposed to ask him to get tested?”

“What if I talk to him?” Holt offered. “I can explain the situation, make it clear this isn’t about parental rights or money.”

I looked up at him, stunned by the offer. “You would do that?”

“I’d do anything for Luna,” he said simply. “And for you.”

The honesty in his voice made my throat ache. Before I could respond, he continued, “Actually, I have another idea. I’ll call Ben.”

“Ben Rice? Why?”

“Ben knows Remi better than I do. And he’s got more leverage. Remi might ignore me, but he can’t ignore his boss.”

I considered this. “You’d tell Ben about Luna’s paternity?”

Holt shook his head, then sighed. “Based on when you ‘left’ and Luna’s age, he pretty much put it together. It’s worth contacting him, Keltie. Luna needs as many potential donors as possible.”

He was right, and when I accepted it, the relief that flooded me was immediate. “Thank you,” I whispered.

Luna’s nurse appeared in the doorway. “We’re going to give your daughter something to help her sleep. She needs a lot of rest before tomorrow,” she announced.

I took a deep breath and stood, Holt rising beside me. As we returned to Luna’s bedside, he kept his hand at the small of my back.

My father woke as we entered, instantly alert to the change in atmosphere. Luna looked tiny in the hospital bed, her wide eyes taking in the array of medical equipment being wheeled into the room. “What’s all this?” I asked as quietly as I could.

“For tomorrow,” the nurse whispered.

“Mommy?” Her voice trembled. “What’s happening?”

I sat on the edge of her bed, taking her small hand in mine. “Remember how the doctors said they needed to give you special medicine to make you better? They’re going to give you the first part when you wake up in the morning.”

She looked beyond me. “Are you leaving again, Mr. Holt?”

“I’m not going anywhere, Unicorn Girl,” he promised, settling into the chair beside her bed.

Holtand I spent the night in the room with Luna, giving my father a much-needed break. By morning, the nurses began preparing for her first treatment. I gripped Holt’s hand as the drugs that would hopefully save my daughter’s life began flowing through her IV. Throughout it all, Holt continued his story of brave unicorn girls and magical healing flowers—his voice steady and reassuring when mine would have failed me.

When Luna finally drifted to sleep and the first round was complete, I remained seated at her bedside, knowing if I tried to stand, I’d probably pass out.

Holt dragged the other chair beside mine and sat down, offering me a cup of terrible hospital coffee.

“You should rest,” he said quietly.

“I can’t leave her,” I replied, staring at Luna’s pale face.

He rubbed my shoulders. “I know.”

“You can go?—”

“I’m not leaving your side, Keltie, so whatever you were about to say, don’t bother.”

Exhaustion pulled at me, but every time my eyes started to close, I jerked myself awake.

“Tell me about the first song you ever wrote,” I said, desperate to stay awake, to keep watch over my daughter.

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