They should have taken Dad to the doctor then. When they’d suggested it, Dad had claimed he was okay.
They’d believed him. Because Dad had always been as healthy as a horse—active and alert, energetic and enthusiastic, calling Tyler with new ideas and plans, his vision for the ranch still alive and abounding, even though he’d pulled back to give Tyler the final say on everything.
“C’mon, Wyatt. Time to go.” He regretted that he had to cut short their Friday activity night, but there wasn’t even time to gather up their fly-fishing gear. He’d send one of the employeesout to retrieve everything later. For now, he needed to get to Dad and figure out what was going on.
Tyler climbed to the UTV on the trail above the river. He slid into the driver’s seat and started up the vehicle. A moment later, Wyatt and Anson were scrambling into the back seats. Tyler waited for them to buckle in, then he gunned the small four-wheeled off-road vehicle down the trail.
He wound his way along the paths behind the largest and most elaborate of the private luxury cabins. All of them were styled in Western themes and furnished with only the best furniture and appliances. They had full-sized kitchens, king suites, spacious lofts, sitting areas with wood-burning fireplaces, private patios with hot tubs, and more.
The smaller cabins were no less lavish and were beautifully decorated with screened-in porches that faced the river. Although equipped with kitchenettes, most of the guests took their meals in the Cliffside Dining Room in the lodge, where the chef prepared daily farm-to-table meals that everyone raved about. The ranch also had a smaller dining area in Brook Barn that offered simpler fare and snacks.
As Tyler reached the main pathway, he jerked to a stop while a young couple meandered past, walking hand in hand, likely staying in one of their honeymoon cabins, which were a Forbes Travel Guide five-star recommendation.
As soon as he started forward, he veered onto the uphill lane that led to his family’s home. The main house was set away from the resort to allow for privacy but was still close enough that they could be involved in any issues and needs that might arise.
At the sound of the chopper engine and wings roaring to life at the landing pad on a plateau above the house, Tyler released a pent-up breath. Kade was ready to go, probably already had the stretcher at the house.
As Tyler flew up the final incline, the modern two-story log home came into view on the rise. With a prominent peaked prow at the center and windows from floor to ceiling, the great room faced the west so that viewing sunsets was almost a nightly occasion.
On each side of the peak, the house sprawled out with additional tall windows. A large deck on the main level of the house contained a hot tub and patio furniture, while a porch swing and hammock were positioned on the grassy knoll underneath.
Tyler steered the UTV around the driveway that led to the back of the house, which had a cozy but small porch with rustic-looking rocking chairs. The ranch’s interior decorator had styled their home both inside and out with Western-themed decorations like all the other homes on the ranch, and it was just as interesting and unique.
The main house had six bedrooms, which was plenty big enough for him and each of his four siblings to have had their own rooms while growing up. Now only he and Wyatt lived there with Mom and Dad.
As head wrangler, Kade preferred bunking with the other ranch hands in one of the apartments over the main barn. His sister Emberly, who was the events manager, stayed in one of the employee cottages near the main lodge. Of course, Brock was busy with his career as a country music singer, and ever since Dustin had left his position as an elite army ranger, he’d put his skills to use as a bodyguard for an executive protection company and traveled all over the world for his work.
Yes indeed, he and Wyatt and Mom and Dad had more than enough space. Sometimes too much.
Tyler halted the UTV and jumped out. He didn’t wait for Wyatt or Anson—was grateful in this instant to know that Ansonwas taking care of the boy. Instead, Tyler bolted into the house and to his parents’ bedroom.
“Hey,” he called, stepping into the spacious room.
Mom stepped out of the master bathroom, tears streaking her face.
With her wavy red hair pulled back into a clip, she appeared younger than her fifty-five years and was still as beautiful as in the pictures on the wall from when she’d been crowned Miss Colorado years earlier.
“How is he?”
“Oh Tyler, I’m so worried. He’s in terrible pain and can’t stop moaning.”
Tyler sidled past her into the bathroom with its clean white interior, jacuzzi tub, and walk-in shower. It was more spacious than most bathrooms, with two walk-in closets, a dressing table, and a chaise. He halted at the sight of his brawny dad writhing on the ground, clutching his stomach and moaning.
Tyler’s chest tightening, he dropped to his knees beside the man who had been not only his mentor and friend but also the rock who’d held him up through some really hard years.
“Dad.” Tyler touched his dad’s arm gently.
The moaning halted, and his dad’s eyes flew open. The dark brown, usually so honest and kind, was now filled with fear. He reached out a hand and grasped Tyler’s. “Son, I’m dying.”
2
“I’m not letting him die.” Tyler had spoken the words at least a dozen times over the past several hours.
“I’m not letting him die either,” Kade responded from the chair beside him in the private ER waiting room at Penrose Hospital.
With sterile walls and furniture, the room smelled of antiseptic. And burnt coffee. When Kade had tried to pour himself a cup, the dripless coffee pot hadn’t stopped trickling. The liquid had sizzled and left them with no choice but to inhale the coffee through their nostrils.
Tyler leaned forward, bracing his arms on his knees and his forehead in his hands. A headache pulsed in his temples, and he was doing his best to fight it.
