Page 30 of The Other Side

“Stop,” Brett said. The one word held enough authority to quiet his sister on the other end of the line. “You don’t know why she left, and now that I do, I’m trying to make peace with it because it wasn’t her fault. She’s still Thea.”

“Ugh. I don’t know if I should hug her or throttle her.”

“You’ll have to go through me if you try to throttle her,” Brett said.

Jess sighed. “It’s a blessing and a curse that you’re a good guy.”

“You’re one of the good ones too,” Brett reminded her.

Jess had always been straight to the point and firm in her convictions. She’d known the fighting their family did wasn’t right before either of them had left home.

When they found Wolf Creek Ranch and learned about the Lord, things had clicked into place for both of them. They didn’t want to be a part of their past, but Jess had a harder time forgetting the pain they’d endured along the way.

“Yeah, well, I might be on the fence until the Howards get what they deserve.”

Mr. Chambers’s words from earlier replayed in Brett’s mind. “I want justice too, but we’re not meant to be the judge, jury, and executioners.”

“Maybe you’re right. Just keep me posted.”

Brett and Jess had always been on the same side. Their personalities were opposites, but their convictions often aligned. They’d made the decision together to leave their family and the mess they created behind, and neither of them had ever regretted it.

Now, Thea was back, and Brett couldn’t run away from the past when it was staring him in the face.

“I will. Thanks for calling. Love you, sis.”

“I love you too.”

Brett grinned at the flat tone of Jess’s words. They were the strongest words known to man, but her abrupt personality seemed to drain all emotion from them. Even without the emphasis, he knew she never said anything she didn’t mean. If anyone didn’t believe the things Jess said, it was their own fault.

He made his way through the hospital, winding through the elevators and corridors to Thea’s room. When he knocked, the door flew open. Gage gave Brett a once-over before stepping to the side.

The doctor that Brett hadn’t seen since the night before stood at the foot of the hospital bed. “Be patient with your recovery. I know this is a lot to take in, but pushing it could cause complications.”

“How long?” Thea asked.

“I wouldn’t expect to feel completely like yourself again for at least four weeks.”

A month. Brett stifled the panic that threatened to rise in his chest. He wanted her healthy and strong for basic reasons, but every minute she was immobile made her a sitting duck. He’d just have to stay close as much as possible.

“I’ll be back in the morning. Let one of the nurses know if you have any questions or issues.”

“Thank you,” Thea said as the doctor excused himself.

Brett stepped to the side of the bed. Thea’s color was pale, and her eyes blinked slowly.

“Did you miss me?” Brett asked. If she could just laugh or smile, he’d have some small assurance that she’d be okay.

Thea turned her head to look out the window. “You didn’t have to come back. Have you even slept?” Her words were hoarse and slow.

“A few hours last night.”

Thea tried to sit up before Brett picked up the bed remote and raised the upper part of the bed.

“Is that okay?” he asked.

“Much better.” She glanced at Gage.

Her brother rolled his eyes and straightened from the wall he’d been slouching against. “Fine. I’ll go. Call me if anything changes. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

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