“Hush now,” Emberly scolded from where she sat in the blue plastic couch next to their mom, the two of them so much alike with their red hair and brown eyes. “That’s enough about dying.” She slanted a sideways look at Mom, then glared back at them as if to tell them they were both idiots for even bringing that up right now.
Emberly was right, as usual.
Dad may have said he was dying, but that was only because he’d been in pain and felt terrible. Once the doctors figured out what was wrong and treated him, he’d be fine. If only there hadn’t been a finality to Dad’s voice when he’d said he was dying, as if he knew something they didn’t.
The door to the waiting room opened, and a young nurse poked her head inside. She glanced around, her gaze landing on Kade, who was wearing a cowboy hat and cowboy boots like he always did. In a flannel shirt that stretched tightly across his shoulders, his brawny body was all muscle. He was slightly taller than the rest of them, his face a little narrower, and his features more boyish, giving him a charm that most women fell for right away. If that wasn’t enough, Kade was also a well-known bull rider and had done the rodeo circuit last year. Because of sponsorships, he’d grown even more popular among the womenfolk.
The nurse was eyeing Kade as if she were hoping he’d look back and show interest in her. Normally, Kade didn’t mind paying attention to the ladies and doing some sweet-talking. Someone had to do it, and he was usually up for the task. But not today. The situation was too grave to think about anything else, and he didn’t give the nurse any encouragement.
The nurse shifted to take in Tyler, assessing him from the top of his hatless head down to his scuffed cowboy boots. He shared the McQuaid good looks, having the same dark hair and dark eyes along with a brawny build. Of course he garnered attention too, but he could admit he had less charm, didn’t flirt like Kade, and was much more serious, even severe.
His intense personality hadn’t deterred Stephanie. At least, not at first.
He’d met her in college, and they’d fallen in love—or he’d thought they’d fallen in love. While they were dating, she’d always seemed to enjoy their trips from Boulder up to the ranch, even though she was from New York. After they were married, she’d been excited—or so it’d seemed—about using her marketing degree for the ranch.
However, once Wyatt had been born, she’d grown distant. Maybe that had already happened before the birth. Either way,during one of her marketing trips out east, she’d reconnected with a former boyfriend, had an affair, and then returned to the ranch and asked for a divorce.
In hindsight, Tyler could see his role in the failed marriage with Stephanie. In his youth and immaturity, he’d allowed himself to get carried away by her pretty face and beautiful body. They’d had a very physical relationship from the start and hadn’t gotten to know each other on a deeper level. If he had, maybe he would’ve realized how incompatible they were.
If he ever married again—and that was a bigif—he planned to pick someone from the Park County area—someone used to the mountains and someone who enjoyed the ranch and outdoor activities. Most importantly, this time he wouldn’t put so much emphasis on outward appearances and would make sure the physical attraction wasn’t the basis for the relationship.
As if sensing his resolve, the nurse’s gaze didn’t linger on him. Instead, she stepped farther into the private room. “Mrs. McQuaid?”
Clutching Emberly’s hand, Mom rose from the couch. “Yes?”
“Your husband is done with the rest of the testing and is back in the ER. He’s asking for you again.”
Releasing Emberly, Mom nodded and crossed to the door. “How is he?”
“He’s comfortable.” The nurse opened the door wider and stood back so that Mom could pass by. “The doctor is there and would like to speak to you and your husband.”
Tyler stood. “I’d like to be there to hear the doctor.”
The nurse’s gaze swung back to him, her eyes still filled with interest. “I’m so sorry, but only one person is allowed in the ER at a time.”
He nodded. He already knew that, which was why he’d asked for a private room when they’d first arrived. “Is a private room available yet?”
“I think we’re still full, but I’ll check again.” She watched him hopefully, as if she expected him to gush over her for her willingness to accommodate him.
Emberly leveled a stern look at him. “Stop being so pushy, Ty. They’re doing everything they can.”
He was tempted to stalk past everyone, find the doctor, and demand to know what was going on. But he forced himself to remain where he was, even though everything within him protested more waiting. He wasn’t the type of man to sit back and let life pass him by. He was a doer, a problem-solver, the one who made things happen.
Once Mom was gone, he paced the small room like a caged cougar. He killed time by making calls, including talking to Wyatt and telling him goodnight. His son was in good hands with Anson, who was still spunky and energetic enough to handle Wyatt’s shenanigans.
Tyler had just finished getting an update from his grounds manager when the waiting room door opened again, and the doctor Tyler had met earlier stepped inside. His expression was grave.
“How is he?” Tyler asked, unable to hold the question back.
The doctor, a young man who didn’t appear to be much older than Tyler, moved to one of the chairs and lowered himself. “Shall we sit?”
“I’ll stand.” Tyler spread his feet and crossed his arms, trying to brace himself for whatever news the doctor was about to give them.
The doctor steepled the tips of his fingers together, then drew in a deep breath. “Both the blood tests and CT scan indicate that your father has pancreatic cancer.”
“Pancreatic cancer?”
“Yes. That’s what was causing the stomach and back pain.”
