Page 49 of Eye of Her Storm

“I thought I was dreaming.”

“Some dream. I’d sure like two of those.”

“Come to Daly. We have plenty, but those two are mine.”

“So I’ve heard. They wouldn’t leave you—until I kicked them out of here to get something to eat.”

“Thank you.”

“How about you? Ready to try some food?”

River nodded then winced at the pain in her head and the tug at her scalp. Weakly, she lifted a hand, so thankful it responded to her commands. “Oh,” she breathed at the feeling of the bandage surrounding her head.

“It’ll grow back,” Becca promised. “How do you feel?”

“A lot better than I think I should.”

“Not surprised. Everyone has a lot of misconceptions about how brain surgery goes—I blame soap operas.”

River chuckled then winced. Okay, that hurt her head. But thankfully, the other headache that had plagued her for so long was gone. This pain was different. “This isn’t what Dr.…” Her brow furrowed. “What Dr.…”

“Collins,” Becca gently supplied.

“Yes. It’s not what he described.”

“He tends to go worst case scenario. The tumor was so well contained; he was actually surprised they called it inoperable. Probably good, though, since he’s the best.”

Except that it would have killed her if her father hadn’t known about the doctor and his study. Still, River smiled, closing her eyes because it tired her out to keep them open. “You love him,” she observed.

“Hmm, I better. He’s my husband. Ten years. I won’t lie, though. He’s so damn smart, and he can be a pain in the ass—pardon my language. And when he gets all the accolades…ugh, he’s unbearable.”

River couldn’t help chuckling again. The slight movement made her head feel a little scrambled. “Well, I’m thankful he’s so intellect. Intell…” She sighed in disgust and dropped her head forward, frustrated. She knew the word and couldn’t get it out.

“Take your time, hon.”

“In…telligent,” River forced out after a moment.

“A lot of people are thankful for that,” Becca answered, without missing a beat. “So, I’m thinking Jell-O and some water for our trial run. Lime or orange?”

“Lime?” Neither sounded good.

“Don’t worry, you can have real food tomorrow, as long as everything keeps going well.” The nurse patted her hand. “I think it will.”

She rushed out like the whirlwind River had come to expect. As Riv lay there, eyes closed, she thought about her sisters. She should probably call them…or have the guys call them. The guys. Her men. They were here. And she got to have a lifetime with them. A smile curled her lips.

“Whatcha smiling about, baby?” Tai asked. When she opened her eyes, he was already leaning over her. He pressed his lips softly to her cheek.

“You,” she admitted.

“Good thoughts, I hope.”

“Hmm…yeah. You smell like pizza. I get to have Jell-O.” She made a face, letting her displeasure show.

“Jell-O’s not so bad,” Seth said before he too kissed her cheek. “What kind?”

“Lime. They shaved my head.”

They blinked at her a second as if she’d confused them. “It’ll grow back, baby,” Tai finally soothed. “You’re beautiful to us, with or without hair. Most important is you’re here with us and you’re staying with us.”

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