Page 87 of Princess and the Ox (The Colby Brothers 1)

“I’m not sure,” he said. “Depends if he wakes or not.”

“I want to stay with him. I don’t want him to be alone.”

She went to him and felt her heart wrench painfully at the sight of his lifeless form on the doctor’s bed. Erika touched his cold cheek and noted his shallow breathing. A sob caught in her throat and she suddenly had a hard time swallowing.

“Jay.”

Of course, he offered no reply. She laid her cheek against his chest and cried softly as she listened to the weak beating of his pulse.

“Jay.”

Lifting one of his hands, she slid her own into his cold palm. So big and powerful. Like his heart. He had taught Erika to believe in herself. To feel the depths of her emotions and trust them. He had breathed life into her soul.

Without a doubt, Erika knew he was meant for this earth. He was destined for great things. And even if he wasn’t a powerful leader in town square, wear fancy suits, or mingled with influential townsfolk, he had achieved something that would forever stand the course of time.

A smile broke through her tears as she slid up on the bed next to him. He had shifted the beach, pebble by pebble.

Beneath her, an unexpected warmth lifted upward from Jay’s body and Erika could almost feel his spirit pass through her own. Then she felt him go cool.

Erika’s chest tightened and burned painfully. A stream of tears flowed down her cheeks. Silently she prayed for his strength, begged for his life, but knew it was too late.

Lifting her chin, she pressed a kiss hard against his mouth. It felt cold and lifeless to her touch. A tiny sob forced its way past her lips and broke the kiss. It was time for her to let go.

“I love you,” she whispered. “I will always love you.”

Chapter 21

When Lillith and Joseph Colby entered the doctor’s office Dr. Ennis led them to the back room where Erika was curled up next to their dying son. They stood in the entrance and watched, horrible remorse and grief filling their hearts. But did not disturb the young duo.

When Erika looked up and saw them, she let out a small cry and went instantly into Lillith Colby’s embrace and allowed the tears to fall. Jonathan Colby stood silently behind them, his large powerful frame, so much like his son’s, hunched over weak from sorrow.

“I’ll contact the undertaker,” the doctor quietly stated.

A cry of deep anguish ripped from the depths of Erika’s soul. She could not do it. She could not bury another person she loved. She could not bury Jay.

“Oh Erika.” His mother stroked her back. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”

Even in her grief, Erika could hardly believe this woman’s strength. This woman’s courage. She had known for a long time her son was dying. The undeniable heartbreak this woman must have felt and carried with her while she waited for death to steal her son. Erika clung to this woman hoping to draw some of her strength into herself.

Jonathan placed a large hand on his wife’s back. “This is for the best. It was what Jay wanted.”

It took a moment for the words to penetrate through her deep grief, but when it did, she looked up, tears staining her cheeks and shook her head. “What he wanted?”

Jonathan glanced at Dr. Ennis and the two men exchanged looks before the doctor told her, “After Jay came to me with his symptoms I wrote to a colleague of mine in York. He wrote back recommending a surgeon in Pennsylvania who specialized in the study of neurology. I immediately sent word to him and received confirmation he would attempt brain surgery to try and extricate Jay’s tumor.”

“My God.” She pulled out of Lillith’s arms. “You mean Jay has a chance to live?”

All three faces looking at her didn’t appear in the least hopeful, but the doctor continued, “I warned Jay it was a highly risky operation and would more than likely be fatal at worst.”

“And the least?”

“Paralysis. Blindness. Memory loss.” He ticked off.

She looked back at Jay. So big and strong, yet at the moment looking so weak. Then turning back to the doctor asked,

“And what of full recovery?”

The doctor paused, causing Erika to drag her eyes from Jay. “There’s always a possibility. Even if slight. Keep in mind, we are referring to the brain. The study of this organ is still rudimentary. One can never know what to expect.”

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