He only ever thought about her when he was there.
He felt bad about not loving Kristi the way she deserved. He felt guilty for pretending the last six months that a life with Kristi and not Brooke was what he wanted. He’d fooled Kristi and himself. Not anymore. Never again.
Brooke had been hurt. He’d rushed to her side, seen her devastating condition, and let go of every reason why he shouldn’t love her and be with her. The light in his life the last ten years. And now that she was living in the darkness of trauma and grief, he was determined to be a light in her life.
He would be a beacon for her and guide her back to him.
And that meant finishing old business and ending things with Kristi.
He scrubbed his hands over his face, got out, and went around the car, opening Brooke’s door. He needed to carry her into the house. She'd never make it on her own, and lifting her meant more pain.
Her pain had become his, and he wanted it to stop. For both their sakes.
Leaning in, he cupped her face in his palm. “Brooke, honey, we’re home. I need to pick you up and take you inside.”
She opened her eyes, and they immediately filled with fresh tears. “Just leave me here. Leave me alone.”
“Don’t cry, sweetheart. Meds are just a few minutes away. Soon you’ll feel better. I promise.”
He slid his hands under her legs and around her back. He lifted her out of the car and stood. She clutched their daughter to her chest and gnashed her teeth to stave off the wave of pain. “You got her?” he asked.
She didn’t answer, just laid her head on his shoulder, making his heart melt. He kissed her forehead and walked up the path to the porch. He managed to get the door open and walk into the foyer with minimal trouble. He kicked the door shut and slammed it.
Susanne and Kristi ran out of the dining room.
He felt for Susanne and her first glimpse of Brooke, who was devastating to look at. It had taken him some time to get used to seeing her in this condition.
Susanne stood shocked, her mouth agape and her breath held, like she’d turned to stone.
He didn’t have time for her to recover. “Susanne, could you go up and turn down Brooke’s bed?”
Janie walked in behind Susanne and gasped, her hand moving up over her mouth.
“Janie, could you please go out to my car and get the dark blue duffel bag? It’s got her medicine and bandages in it.”
Janie rushed to do as he asked.
Kristi stood across from him, anger in her eyes for him, and then a glare at Brooke in his arms.
It said a lot about Kristi, that she showed no compassion for Brooke in her time of need.
“Now is not the time,” he warned her.
Susanne headed up the stairs, and he turned and followed. Susanne had the bed turned down and carefully took off Brooke’s shoe and sock before Cody set her on the bed.
He cautiously moved her braced leg, keeping it from tangling in the sheets. “Susanne, she'll need a glass of water to take her meds.” He brushed a strand of hair from Brooke’s eye.
She could barely open them.
“You’re okay, honey. I’ll get your meds, and you’ll feel better soon.”
“Go away.” She rolled to her side, careful not to hurt her broken arm or sprained ankle.
“I’m not going anywhere, and you better get used to it.” Cody leaned over Brooke with his hands on both sides of her shoulders and stared right into her pain-filled eyes. “I mean it, Brooke. I’ll be right here for you.”
Janie brought in the bag, set it at the end of the bed, then placed the huge vase of roses on the side table.
“Janie, can you please find the plastic bag of pill bottles in that duffel.” He turned back to Brooke and covered her hand on her stomach with his own. “Let me check the incision.”
