Page 121 of Mine For The Winter

“And how do you feel about it?”

She shrugged. “He’s Cole’s dad. He has the right.” Her eyes caught his. “How about you?”

“It’s not about me, it’s about you and Cole. And he’s Cole’s dad,” Kris repeated. “So if he wants to be here and Cole wants him here, then it’s right that he comes back.” He looked thoughtful, not annoyed. And she appreciated that.

“Mom?” Cole’s voice was clearer than earlier. Less laden down with the painkillers and the after effects of surgery.

“Yes, honey?” She walked back over to him, stroking his hair from his face. “You doing okay?”

“Is that Kris?”

“It is.” She smiled at him. “He’s come to check on you.”

“Hey, Cole.” Kris walked over to the bedside. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m good.” Cole looked so happy to see him, and it made her throat feel tight. “Did you hear I had surgery?”

“I did.” Kris grinned at him. “And I hear you got through it like a champ. No wonder you’re the MVP.”

“I forgot about that.” Cole’s cheeks pinked up with pride. “Hey. Do my teammates know about my surgery?”

“Not yet,” Kelly told him. “But I can tell them if you want.”

“Yeah.” Cole nodded. “I want them to know I won the game while I was sick.”

Kelly laughed, because it was so good to see him feeling better. “Then I’ll tell them.”

“And then can I have more food?”

“Sure, honey. What would you like?”

“I really want a burger.”

“I’m not sure they have those here.”

Kris caught her eye. “I’ll go get him one from the burger place down the street. If the nurses are okay with it.”

Damn this man was going to kill her.

“And you’ll come back, right?” Cole asked. “You’ll eat with us?”

“If you’d like that, yeah.” Kris nodded.

From the look on his face it felt like Cole would like that very much.

32

To Kelly’s surprise, Lyle actually turned up at the hospital the next morning right as Cole was getting ready to be discharged. He strode into Cole’s room like he owned the place, his gait only faltering when he saw Kris standing with Kelly.

Kris had come because he was worried Lyle wouldn’t, and somebody needed to drive Kelly and Cole home. He’d gone home last night after they’d eaten dinner together around Cole’s bed, and then been up at the crack of dawn to make sure the tavern was ready to open before heading back to the hospital.

“Okay,” the nurse said, handing the discharge pack to Kelly. “I think you’re all ready to go. Any problems, our number is in here. It’s monitored twenty-four hours a day. And Cole’s check up appointment card is in there, too.”

“Thank you.” Kelly took the pack. “I appreciate it so much.”

“Let’s go,” Lyle said, jangling his keys. “I’ll take you back.”

“Kris is happy to take us,” Kelly said, her voice mild. She was trying to keep everything civil for Cole, after all he was the reason they were all here.

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