Page 139 of Forever After All

“He hasn’t been released?” She’d been so worried about Linc, she hadn’t thought to get an update on Ryan.

“Nope,” Brett said. “He had surgery too. You got him good.”

The anger swelled in her chest again, but she didn’t have the energy to maintain it. Ryan had barged into their happy life they’d been building and tried to destroy it brick by brick.

Jess rubbed her eyes. “Thanks for coming to help. I hadn’t even thought about legal stuff.”

“Don’t mention it. I wish I could have gotten to you sooner.”

Jess lifted her head and looked up at her brother. “I know what you went through with Thea now. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you more.”

Brett squeezed her shoulder. “No worries, sis. We’re gonna get you two through this. Speaking of Thea, she’s loving running the barn right now, and she’s doing an awesome job. Don’t worry about work for a while.”

“I hate she’s been working so much overtime,” Jess said.

Brett shrugged. “She said she likes being with the horses all day anyway. Don’t worry about her.”

“What would we do without her?” she asked.

“God knew we’d need her.”

Jess eyed the bags of food. “Thanks for the food. Knowing it’s going to be delicious might force me to eat it even without an appetite.”

Vera chuckled. The woman didn’t make a bad meal, but she still glowed with every compliment she received. “You’re welcome. I’ll bring more whenever you need it.”

“I hope we get to leave soon,” Jess said, knowing the possibility wasn’t likely.

Linc’s hand gave Jess’s a small squeeze, and she gasped. Looking between his face and the hand holding hers, she waited for another sign.

“I think he’s waking up.”

Linc’s eyes opened a small sliver before closing again. He blinked a few more times and stretched his back a little.

“Don’t try to move,” Jess said, standing by his bedside.

“Jess?”

“I’m here. I can’t believe you’re awake!”

Linc squinted at her. “Are you okay?” His words were low and raspy.

“I’m fine. Just got a few stitches in my side. You got some too.”

He looked at his shoulder and frowned.

“The shoulder took a little more than stitches, but the doctor seemed content with how the surgery went.”

“Surgery,” Linc said, resting his head back against the pillow.

“Yeah, not fun, but hopefully it’ll heal and be just fine,” Jess said. She poured all of the confidence she had into the words, hoping to assure herself and Linc.

“Hey, man. Glad you’re awake,” Brett said.

“Me too, I guess. Where’s Ryan?”

“Still in recovery,” Brett said. “He has a chaperone with him, since he’s under investigation.”

Linc sighed. “Man, I’d like to be rid of him.”

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