Page 46 of Wyoming Bodyguard
“Okay. How about we stop by the hospital after we eat? Then we can head back to your place and clean up the barn. That’ll take some time, but we should get most of it done before dinner.”
“Does everything revolve around food for you?” she asked, one eyebrow quirking toward the blue sky.
“That and other things.” Unable to stop himself, he swept down and pressed his mouth to hers.
The sound of a woman clearing her throat broke into the moment. “Well, well, well. Isn’t this an interesting development.”
Madden turned to find Eve standing in the doorway of Tilly’s.
Her smile was ear to ear, arms crossed over her chest. The subtle wind made her long, auburn hair blow across her face before she tucked it behind her ear. “Looks like we’ve got a lot to catch up on.”
He glanced down at Lily who gave a tiny nod before leading him toward the restaurant. “You have no idea.”
* * *
An hour later, the salad Lily ate while Madden and Reid went over Sunrise Security’s business turned in her stomach. The smell of sickness and industrial strength disinfectant as soon as she stepped into the hospital hallway didn’t help.
Madden kept a steady palm on the small of her back.
She stared at the shiny white floors. The bright glare of the fluorescent lights overhead bounced off the linoleum. She trusted him to guide her to her father’s room.
The idea tightened her chest.
She trusted Madden. Hell, she not only trusted him with her life, but a larger part of her was opening up to the possibility of trusting him with way more.
“Hey, Duke,” Madden said, dipping his chin to acknowledge the deputy standing guard beside the closed door. “How’s it going?”
“Been quiet.” The young deputy’s green eyes were sharp, his stance rigid and on alert under his perfectly pressed uniform. “No one’s stopped by to see Mr. Tremont besides medical staff.”
Relief loosened the knots in her gut. “I appreciate your diligence. Having him here is difficult, but knowing he’s being looked after makes things a little easier.”
“Least I can do.”
“I can stand guard if you want to take a break,” Madden said. “Lily wants some time with her father. I plan to stick close while she’s in the room. You can grab a coffee or hit the john if you need to.”
“You sure?”
Madden nodded.
“Thanks, man. I won’t be long.” Duke offered Lily a tight-lipped smile then hustled down the hallway.
Lily hesitated, hating the fear keeping her from turning the doorknob. “You sure you don’t want to go in?”
“And chance giving your father a stroke if he happens to wake up and see me standing over him?” He wrinkled his nose and chuckled. “Nah, we’ll ease him into the idea of you and me once he’s stronger.”
His words touched the dark, scary spot inside of her that feared her dad would never make it home.
She shoved those thoughts as far to the back of her mind as she could and forced a brave smile. “Good point. Okay, I’ll make it quick.”
“Take all the time you need.”
Before she could talk herself out of it, she pushed open the cream-colored door and stepped into the sterile room. The sound of beeping machines greeted her along with the painful image of her father lying with his eyes closed in the hospital bed. Her breath hitched. Her pulse sped up, and tears stung the corners of her eyes.
She willed herself to take another step forward then another until she stood at the side of the bed. She rested her hand on top of his, the rough skin on his weathered knuckles familiar and comforting despite its coolness. “Hi, Daddy.”
Nothing but the steady beep, beep, beep answered.
A lump lodged in her throat, making it hard to speak, but she wanted him to hear her voice. To have no doubt she was there. “Sorry I didn’t come by yesterday, but things have been a bit crazy. I wish you’d wake up and explain everything. I don’t understand why someone would try to kill you or why they’d hide drugs on our property or vandalize our barn and my riding equipment. None of this makes sense, and I’m afraid you’re the only one who has the answers. You’re the only one who can make it stop, but you’re stuck in this bed and can’t even open your eyes.”
