“But he’s okay now?” Momma asked, her brow furrowed with worry.
“Yes, ma’am. We got him all fixed up. We’ll need to watch him in the coming days to make sure he’s coughing and clearing out his lungs. Pneumonia is always a concern in bypass patients. But if he does what he’s supposed to—”
“Oh, he’ll do it, all right,” Gran said, her voice firm.
The surgeon shot her a grin. “Good, that’s what I’d hoped to hear. As long as he follows the instructions given and starts leading a healthier lifestyle, I don’t see any reason why he won’t make a full recovery.”
ThankGod. Mac hadn’t allowed herself to really go down the path of the what-ifs, but they’d been in the back of her mind since she’d talked to Will that morning. She hadn’t realized just how much she’d needed to hear that her dad was okay until she’d gotten that confirmation.
“Am I able to see him?” Momma’s voice wobbled the slightest bit, and Mac wanted nothing more than to wrap an arm around her.
He nodded. “He can have visitors, but only in pairs for the time being. He’s still very much out of it, and I expect him to remain so for the rest of the evening.”
“Thank you, Dr. Harris.” Momma threw her arms around the surgeon and squeezed him tight. “Thank you so much for savin’ his life.”
He patted her on the back while accepting her exuberant embrace. “It was my pleasure. If he does as he’s supposed to, he’ll be causing trouble for you ladies for many years to come.”
After Dr. Harris walked away, Rory squeezed Momma’s hand. “Why don’t you and Gran go in first?”
With a shaky nod, Momma reached for Gran’s arm, linked it through hers, and the two of them walked down the hallway.
It was quiet for long moments while Mac and her sisters watched their mom and grandma until they turned a corner and slipped out of sight.
“Okay.” Rory turned around to face them, wiping under her eyes. “We need a game plan and to figure out how we’re gonna get Momma out of this hospital. She needs to rest, but she won’t leave Daddy alone.”
“I’d stay, but I think that may cause Daddy more harm than good.” Nat shrugged.
No one bothered to disagree because there was little doubt in Mac’s mind that was true. Nat had a way of riling their father up that none of the other sisters could manage.
Rory glanced at her watch, her brow furrowed. “I’ve gotta get back and pick up the girls. Marie was so sweet to take them, but they’ve already been there so long.”
She turned to Will. “What about you? Can y’all stay?”
Will’s eyes were bloodshot, and she had more baggage beneath them than a luggage rack. She was actually swaying on her feet. “Yeah. Of course. I can stay.”
Mac huffed out a breath. She should’ve been used to this by now, but she wasn’t. She wanted to scream,hellooooo!at the top of her lungs just to get a reaction.
“Ican stay,” Mac said, trying not to let the irritation seep into her tone. “Y’all have been here the longest. It only makes sense that I’m the one to stick around.”
“Oh!” Rory’s tone belied her surprise, as if the thought had never even crossed her mind. “Of course. That’d be great, Mac. Thank you.”
Nat shifted on her feet. “Asher and I can take Gran and Momma ho—”
“I hope you weren’t about to say home, Natalie.” Momma strode up behind Nat. Her eyes were red-rimmed, but she seemed more relaxed than when she’d gone in.
Nat’s eyes grew wide, and she mouthedOh shit. Momma didn’t use their full names unless she really wanted to drive a point home. Or she was mad as hell. Hopefully this was the former.
“How is he, Momma?” Rory asked. “Can we go back?”
“He’s fine. But Dr. Harris was right—he’s completely out of it. It doesn’t make sense for y’all to stick around tonight when he won’t even know y’all’re here. Everyone should go on home and get a good night’s rest. Y’all can come back in the mornin’ when he’ll be coherent and y’all’ve had some sleep.”
Rory shot Mac, Nat, and Will a look before stepping up to their mom and resting a hand on her arm. “Momma…we were thinkin’ it’d be—”
“Aurora Haven, I know you’re not gonna finish that sentence with some nonsense about me goin’ home.”
Mac’s eyes went wide as she shot a glance at Will to see her doing the same. Two full names meant shit was getting real. Their momma wasn’t messing around.
Tentatively, Will stepped up. “But, Momma, you’re so tir—”
