“He claims Lake deserved it because she didn’t save his wife the night they got into a car accident. If she’d done her job correctly then she wouldn’t have died.”
My fist clench at Lyric’s words.
“That’s bullshit!” I yelled. “I’ve seen her out there.” I jabbed my finger toward the doors, pointing outside into the dark night. “She takes her job seriously. To a point it scares me sometimes. But she will doanythingto save a life.”
The guys moved in closer, showing their support. They all knew about the car accident on the highway that night that the asshole had caused and the great lengths Lake went to, regardless of her own safety, to help the woman trapped in that car.
“You don’t have to tell us twice, man, we know,” Lyric said. “It’s fucked up that Stormi and River are hurt, but he can’t hurt you guys anymore. You got the prick and he’s going away for a very long time.”
Knowing that was something at least, but right then with my daughter scared out of her mind and hurt, along with River, it didn’t ease the tension that still had my body wound tight.
“I appreciate you all, but I need to get back to Stormi. You guys should go get some rest and I will keep you posted but they should get to leave tomorrow.”
When they all nodded and said their goodbyes, I turned and started toward the hall that would lead me back to my family. A thought struck and I whipped back around.
“River was asking about the puppy. What happened to their dog?”
Gyth smiled. “We got that covered. Huntley’s fireman friend took it to the emergency vet and the little girl checked out, she’s going to be fine.”
His wife walked up and wrapped her arms around the big guy's waist. “We’ll pick her up when we leave here and she can hang with Ash until they’re ready for her.”
Ash was Summer’s dog and she understood the love of an animal like no other. The puppy would be in good hands and well cared for.
Satisfied, I gave them all another wave and said my thanks again. Then I let my heart lead my feet toward the two people who were my whole world.
As quietly as possible,I slipped back into the room.
My wife’s head raised from the side of the bed where it rested next to our sleeping daughter, her lips trembling as she worked to hold back tears. She’s been trying so hard to be strong in front of Stormi so it didn’t upset our daughter more than she already was.
I raised my hand to my chest and rubbed the spot over my heart. It felt like it was splintering into a thousand pieces at seeing the two of them in physical and emotional agony. Lake gave me a weak smile and I moved in closer.
There was so much I needed to tell her but it would wait a bit. Lake had seen me run off so when I arrived at the hospital she’d been overwhelmed with emotion. I’d told her I’d got him and we left it at that while we focused on our child and River.
I moved in behind her where she sat and she leaned her head back against my stomach looking up at me with tired eyes. I brought my hand to her head and stroked her hair, trying to soothe her but to my dismay it sent her tears tumbling down her beautiful face.
“Everything will be okay. I promise. We will all heal and our family is together and whole.” Leaning over, I kissed her forehead softly.
Mine and Lake’s head snapped toward our daughter when we heard her say, “Mommy’s sad.” Her voice was raspy and strained, but she spoke.
Lake furiously brushed at her tears and took Stormi’s hand in hers. “It’s only because I love you so much, baby.”
I walked around the other side of the bed and took her other small hand in mine. “We both do, Muffin.”
She swallowed, her eyes closing a bit and her face pinching in discomfort.
“Auntie,” she whispered.
Stormi already adored River and I had a feeling the bond was going to be even stronger after what they went through together.My chest tightened and tears threatened to fall but I pushed them down.
In a million years I would never forget what River had done.
She saved my little girl.
“Your aunt is going to be okay. You both will be okay, sweetheart,” I told her as Lake silently watched the exchange.
Stormi gave a tiny smile as her eyes started to drift shut again. We stayed that way until she was asleep again and then I gently laid her hand back on the bed. Moving back around the other side one more time, I pulled my wife off the chair, sat down in it, and then deposited her onto my lap.
I needed to hold her.
