“You woke up the children sleeping in China.”
He smiled half-heartedly and unwrapped Brooke’s breakfast sandwich. “Eat this, sweetheart. You need the energy. Want some coffee?”
“No. Water.”
“Good. More coffee for me.” He pulled a bottle of water out of the mini fridge and handed it to her.
“Sounds like you could use the whole pot.”
“You’re always looking out for me, sweetheart.”
He helped her sit up and tucked a pillow behind her back so she could lean comfortably. Well, at least as comfortable as she could be. He took her hurt foot and propped it on his leg, ever watchful while she nibbled at her food.
“Mindy Sue spoke to your professor. After you eat, I’ll take you over for your test if you’re up for it. Then, I’ll go and turn in your term paper. I’ll come back here and pack whatever will fit in my car.”
He turned to Mindy Sue. “Can you pack up the rest? I’ll have a moving company come in the next few days and ship it home.”
“Sure. No problem.”
Cody glanced back at Brooke. “We can hit the road after your test if you’re up to it.”
Her head tipped down and she stared at her lap. “Cody, I don’t know what I want to do yet. I have to—”
“You need to take care of yourself.” He wouldn’t take no for an answer. “There’s only a week, maybe a little more of classes left before the entire campus goes home. I’m not leaving you here alone.”
She finally looked at him again. “I’m not alone. I have Mindy Sue and Julie and all my other friends. They can help me.” The tears spilled down her cheeks. She looked overwhelmed and exhausted.
“Honey, you can barely walk. You can barely stay awake for any decent amount of time. You can’t tend to your wounds on your own. And judging by the fifty times you’ve looked at that door since you woke up this morning, I’m guessing you don’t feel safe here. Let me take you home. I’ll take care of you. Your momwill spoil you.” He hoped that got her home. If she wouldn’t come for him, which hurt to his soul, she’d do it for her mom.
“I don’t know what to do.” Her weak voice matched the uncertainty in her eyes.
He saw how hard she tried to think through her options.
She didn’t have any, she just didn’t want to admit it. He was taking her home.
She needed to remain in bed a few more days, or at least passed out on the couch in front of a TV, binge-watching something lighthearted and funny.
This wasn’t the place for her. Soon, someone would leak that one of the victims was staying in the dorms. Reporters would camp outside for a chance to get to her. They might even sneak in to see her. Cody needed to get her out of here and back to the ranch, surrounded by familiar things and the ones who loved her most.
He needed to get her well enough and stable enough to listen to him and understand that everything was going to be different now.
Mindy Sue took his side. “Brooke, sweetie. Go home. See your mom. Cry on her shoulder and let her spoil you. Get away from here and everything that’s happened. I’ll come out to the ranch soon to see you. I promise.”
Someone knocked on the door.
Brooke nearly jumped out of her skin.
Cody put his hand on her thigh. “You’re okay, sweetheart. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
Mindy Sue jumped up just as two girls peeked inside. “We’re all set downstairs.”
“Perfect timing.” Mindy Sue turned to Brooke. “Sweetie, we have a little surprise for you. Come with me.”
Brooke hesitated for a moment, all of them waiting for her to decide if she wanted to go.
Cody wanted to get Brooke up and out of the room and with her friends. He hoped it would boost her spirits and get her out of her head. “Let me help you up.”
She reluctantly leaned forward and swung her legs off the side of the bed. He steadied her when she stood and swayed.
