I took a step back, looked down at her and smiled. “I love you. I am so grateful you took care of our kids while my head was up my ass, but I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much.”
She let out a deep exhale. “I love you, too.”
“Also me.” Hayden added.
CHAPTER 28
MAGGIE
Waiting rooms were the worst.At least we knew that Zoe would be okay. She’d regained consciousness in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. She’d sustained a concussion and dislocated her shoulder.
Tiffany was in the examining room with her sister, while the rest of us waited around. We’d each given our statements to the police. Taryn Walker, the Salinger Security lawyer, had been with us every step of the way. Mason Salinger had been taken in for questioning, but that was apparently standard operating procedure when a shooting involved a death.
Two police officers stood respectfully in a corner while they waited for the all clear to question Zoe. I looked over at the other corner. Connor sat with Jaycee on his lap surrounded by Zoe's friends, as well as Hayden and Ethan. Cooper Wilson and Matty Salinger were Zoe’s best friends and had been waiting when we arrived. My mind went back to a time or two when we’d waited a time or two for our friends to recover from whatever disaster they’d managed to find themselves in.
Tiffany and the doctor came through the swing doors. The doctor looked around the rather full waiting room. Hunter, Shiloh, and Ryder had stayed, as well.
Tiffany looked over at the police officers. “You can question her now. But my brothers and I will be present.”
“Fine.” One police officer answered as they walked over to her. “Her statement is important to ensure Keith and Charlie are put away for good.”
Theo stood next to me and kissed my cheek. His exhaustion plain across his face. “You okay with me going?”
“Of course.” I nodded and gestured around the waiting room. “Zoe needs you. We’ll all be waiting when you’re done.”
He let out a deep breath, his eyes softened as he spoke. “Good, because I need you to be here.”
The next hour had been a blur of police officers and other agents wanting more statements. By the time we walked into Zoe’s room she looked utterly exhausted.
I took her hand in mine. “Kiddo, I think we need to leave you to sleep.”
“Not yet.” Her small grimace had me on alert and I looked over at Tiffany who had spotted it too.
I nodded and gave her a small smile. “Whatever you want.”
“Do you want me to read you a story?” Jaycee sat at Zoe’s feet, her coloring book in front of her. “That always makes me feel better.”
Zoe gave my daughter an affectionate smile. “Not quite yet, Jay. My head still hurts.”
“Then we must whisper.” Jaycee’s small voice dropped to the loudest whisper, causing us all to laugh.
A soft knock at the door drew our attention.
“Good afternoon, dears.” Millie, the sweetest seventy-year-old, and the wisest woman in town stepped into the room wearing her candy striper uniform. “I hope I am not interrupting but, I found these in a room that’s been cleaned and I figured it could be of better use up here.”
Tiffany immediately stepped away from the bed and went to hug the old lady. “Thanks so much. You’re not interrupting anything. You know, you’re like family.”
Tiffany adored the older woman. She had been the receptionist at Salinger Security after Sue left and before Tiffany had started. Millie wanted to retire and Tiffany needed a job.
Millie placed the flowers on the small table next to Zoe’s bed before giving my baby sister a few words of encouragement. By the time she left, both Jaycee and Hayden were yawning.
I picked Jaycee up off the bed. “I think I need to get these two home.”
Theo nodded and placed his hand on Zoe’s forehead. “We’ll be back first thing.”
“Don’t be silly. You both have work.” She turned to Tiffany. “You too. Even though I think it's high time you quit.”
“What?” Theo frowned. “Do you not like your job? Do they treat you badly?”
