Page 50 of Christmas on Ice
My wounded heart ached for our daughter and the thought of her growing up without her dad. I knew for a fact I was over him, and I’d long since mourned the plans we’d made to build a life together. Was it okay to be upset over someone who had shown me time and time again how little I mattered to him?
Unlike Trask, who showed me I mattered to him every day. Sutton had had his chance, and it was time for me to go for my second one.
“Kamryn.” Sutton’s mother pulled me out of my thoughts. I was still standing by the door, staring out the window to the now-empty hallway.
I felt a hand on my shoulder. “It’s for the best, dear. I’m sure that boy doesn’t want it on his conscience to break up a family that should be together.”
Spinning around, I glared at her, surprised by the unexpected vitriol coursing through me. “He wouldn’t. It wasyour sonthat broke up this family. Trask is my friend, and if I decide I want him to become more than that, it’s none of your damn business.”
She blinked at me. I’d never spoken to her that way in all the years I’d known her.
I wouldn’t apologize.
I considered giving up my turn to sit with Sutton, but I didn’t think he should be alone. A nurse waved me through, and I went straight to the chair by his bed. This big protector that used to hold all my hopes and dreams was wrapped in bandages from head to toe and connected to more machines than I could count. And if he woke up alone and then died, I’d regret not having this time. I wanted him to wake up for Ryleigh and to solidify the closure between us.
“Kami, dear. Wake up, honey.”
“Mama? What are you doing here?” I rubbed my eyes. Sutton’s room was dark. “What time is it?”
“It’s just after one in the morning. I brought you a change of clothes, but I was hoping you’d come home with me.”
“I don’t know … should I?”
She sat down next to me and looked Sutton over. “You absolutely should. There isn’t anything for you to do here. Don’t put him before Ryleigh. And you’ve got a full day planned with your family. And when he wakes up, you make that man sign the papers that transfer the decisions about his care to his mama. I’ve got my whole prayer group praying that he wakes up and has his come-to-Jesus moment. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to realize the treasures you neglected along the way.”
“Mama, even if he does, I’m not getting back with him.”
“That’s not where I was going with that, sweetheart. He needs to shape up to be the best daddy for Ryleigh. His chapter with you is over. You know that, and I’m certain of it, too. But he’s got a whole book to write with his little girl. And it needs to be a happy one.”
“I really hope so, Mama.” I stood up and stretched. “If you think it’s okay for me to go home—”
“I do. His parents aren’t going to leave him right now, and Bonnie told me extended family and friends have set up a schedule to sit with him all day tomorrow. Can you believe they called your sisters?” She chuckled. “I think you can imagine Kassidy’s reply.”
I laughed. “She never did care much for him.”
“No, she never has. But I caught her praying for him.” She winked.
It dawned on me then that Sutton might be able to hear us talking. I leaned over to take his left hand in both of mine. “Sutton, I—” I swallowed. “You need to get through this. Please. Ryleigh loves you so much. She needs her daddy.” I gasped when his fingers twitched in my hand. “Sutton? Can you hear me? Are you awake?”
No response. I sighed. “I guess I’m ready to go. Can you bring me back tomorrow before company comes?”
“Of course.”
On the way back to my parents’ house, I checked my messages. So many texts. Only one from Trask, a string of praying hands and heart emojis. A couple each from Kassidy, Khloe, and Brenna, who Trask had been keeping updated, and several from local friends and family. I read through them all but didn’t respond to any. I was so mentally drained, I could barely form a sentence. I’d write back tomorrow.
By the time I crawled into my old bed next to a sprawled-out Ryleigh, it was nearly 2a.m. She’d be awake in just a few hours, and I had no idea what I was going to tell her.
My ringing phone woke me up, and I reached to grab it before it disturbed Ryleigh. My heart thundered as I swiped, dreading the possibility of the worst news.
Instead of the hospital or Bonnie, it was Khloe. I sat up and noted the absence of Ryleigh. Sunshine streamed through the slats in the partially opened blinds.
“Thought you might want to get out of bed before lunch.”
I yawned. “What time is it? Where’s Ryleigh?”
“Almost eleven, and she’s baking cookies with Mama and Grandpa Silly.”
“Oh shoot!” I tossed the covers to the side and ran to my suitcase, pulling out clothes. “I wanted to go to the hospital before Grandpa Silly and the rest of the family gets here!”
