Coming back here took some white-knuckled determination on his part, but Rosie lay in one of these rooms, so that meant he had to slay his dragons. Everyone he met on his way to her room was wonderful. It wasn’t their fault that he dreaded walking these halls with his mother’s ghost at his side.
When he came into the room, the sight was terrifyingly familiar. Rosie appeared to be asleep in that sterile white bed, and she was hooked up to a bunch of monitors. Herb rose from a chair and came over to enfold him in a fierce, silent hug. The guy was more bony and fragile than Cade remembered.
For the first time he realized that these people who had been the seawall standing between him and drowning were now vulnerable and in need of protection. That thought focused him more than any other. He could do this.
Herb released him and motioned for them to go into the hall. “She’s finally asleep,” he murmured. “I’d hate to wake her up, although she’ll be excited to see you. Did Lexi call you?”
“She did.”
Herb nodded. “Not surprised. She’s good that way. You sure didn’t waste any time getting here.”
“I started out right after she called.”
“Your boss is okay with you taking time off?”
“I quit.” Technically he’d been fired, but better not to get into the full story right now.
“Not because of this, I hope.”
“No, no. I was headed over to another possible job when Lexi called. It’s fine, Dad. I can stay as long as you need me.”
Emotion welled in Herb’s gray eyes, and he glanced away in obvious embarrassment. “That’s...that’s mighty nice to hear. But we’ll be okay.” He cleared his throat and bravely met Cade’s gaze. “Just a little bump in the road.”
“Of course it is. I never thought anything different. But since I was between jobs, I figured I’d come on up for a visit.”
“I’m real glad you did. It’s good to see you, son.” He turned back toward the room where Rosie continued to sleep. “I should get back in there. I don’t like leaving her alone in case one of those monitors does something funky. But if you drove all night, you must need food or at least a cup of coffee.”
“Just coffee. Can I bring you some?”
“Sure. That’d be great.” He reached in his hip pocket for his wallet.
“Put your money away. Coffee’s on me. But listen, I wanted to ask something.”
“What’s that?”
“What are those three extra horses doing in the barn?”
Herb looked startled. “How do you know about that?”
“I have a horse now, and I had to drop him off when I got to Thunder Mountain.”
“Oh.” Herb rubbed the gray stubble on his chin. He was only five years older than when Cade had seen him last, but he appeared to have aged considerably more than that. “Rosie and I figured we shouldn’t let the space sit idle.”
Cade smiled. “Getting a little bored maybe?”
“I guess you could say that.”
“Just wondered. I’ll get us some coffee. Be back in a flash.” Moments later, he located a coffee machine in the waiting room, and, as the first cup began to fill, he blew out a breath. So far he’d held himself together, but he could use backup. Good thing he’d called Damon and Finn.
That reminded him to check his phone. Sure enough, he had a text from Damon. He’d be landing at the Sheridan airport around one and wondered if he should rent a car. While the second cup of coffee filled, Cade replied that he’d pick him up.
Immediately Damon texted back.
How’s Mom?
Sleeping.
It wasn’t much, but it was all Cade knew. He felt a rush of gratitude for Damon, who obviously was worried, too. Having him here, along with Finn, would mean a lot to Rosie and Herb but also to Cade.
By the time he returned with the coffee, Herb was outside the room talking to a fiftyish brunette. A couple of nurses bustled around in Rosie’s room, and the curtains had been drawn around her bed. The brunette hadn’t noticed him yet, so Cade paused to get his bearings. Yep. Janine Simmons, Lexi’s mom.
Then Herb glanced his way. “Here’s Cade. The nurses kicked us out, son. Taking vital signs and such.”
Janine looked as if she’d rushed over without putting on makeup or fixing her hair. She had Lexi’s eyes, something that had always made her seem accessible and familiar. But there was nothing friendly about her expression now. “Hello, Cade.”
“Good to see you again, Mrs. Simmons.” He handed one of the cups to his dad and offered her the other one. “You’re welcome to this if you want it.” As a peace offering it wasn’t much. Five years ago he’d broken her daughter’s heart. A cup of coffee from a vending machine probably didn’t make up for that.
“Thanks, but I need to get going. Lexi called me a little while ago to tell me Rosie was in the hospital, so I threw on some clothes and came over. Aaron’s at a dental conference in Billings so I have to go home and feed the dogs.” She gave Herb a quick hug. “I’ll be back in a couple of hours. Call if you need anything in the meantime.”
“Thanks, Janine. I will.”
Her gaze flicked to Cade. “It’s good that you’re here.”
“I know.” He accepted the rebuke in her voice. He deserved it for...many reasons.
As she walked away, Herb put a hand on Cade’s shoulder. “Don’t let her lay a guilt trip on you.”
“But I am guilty. First I disappointed her daughter, and then I let my issues with Lexi keep me from coming to see you and Mom.”
“Water under the bridge. You’re here now, and that’s all that counts. No point in dwelling on the past unless you’re remembering good stuff.”
Cade absorbed the wisdom of that. “I’ve really missed you.” He hadn’t realized how much.
“I missed you, too, but I don’t ever want you or any of the boys to feel obligated to come and see us. That’s not how we roll.” He took a sip of the coffee and grimaced.
“Sorry. It’s what I could find.”
“Never mind. You’re supposed to get bad coffee in these situations. I think it’s a rule.”
Cade smiled, relieved to see some of Herb’s spunk returning. He drank his coffee, and sure enough, it was awful. “By the way, I heard from Damon. I’ll pick him up from the airport at one this afternoon.”
Herb’s bushy eyebrows rose. “Lexi called him, too?”
“No, I did.” He sipped the coffee because he needed the caffeine. “Finn, too.”
“You’re starting to scare me, boy. Rosie’s not about to die, you know. It could be nothing more than indigestion.”
If Cade hadn’t experienced the desperate hug when he’d first walked in, he might have believed Herb wasn’t concerned. But the little speech was pure bravado.
Cade wasn’t going to call him on it, though. “I realize that. We’re all just looking for a good excuse to pester you guys.”
“Cade?” Rosie’s voice caused them both to turn toward the open door. “Is that you out there?”