With a determined nod, Marshall left to follow Frankie’s orders.
“It hurts, but I can manage. I’ve got this IV helping me, the nurse just increased my meds.”
“Oh, good. Perfect. I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you woke up. Marshall sent us away for a little shower and a sleep, and well, I could barely get him to leave. They would only let one of us stay here overnight, and for some reason, I felt like he needed it more. Which is saying a lot, trust me. It was agony leaving you for a few hours every night.”
“Mom…” Aurora warned.
Her mother quieted. “Sorry, I’m rambling.”
Colette smirked. “So, I have a husband now? You both approved this?”
Rupert Slip coughed into his fist behind her mother. Her father flushed, a guilty look on his face.
“Now, honey, just play along. Marshall was putting up such a fuss when they tried to make him leave, and then he said, ‘I’m her husband,’” her mother used a manly voice to imitate Marshall, which elicited a soft chuckle from Colette. “I agreed, and that was that. But I have no regrets. The way that man has stayed by your side, night and day, only taking breaks when I forced him to. He loves you very much, Coco.” Her mother’s lip trembled as she covered it again and looked back at her Rupert.
“Alright, I’ll play along,” Colette said, smiling. She nodded toward the water, and her mother helped her drink again. A wave of fatigue swept over her. Her body was so weak, it took all her energy to drink. She could barely move her arms, her hands, her legs. It was terrifying to be this weak. Totally helpless.
Frankie ran a hand gently through Colette’s hair as Marshall strode into the room, his arms loaded with heated blankets. Colette was sure he had taken a few too many.
“Did you leave any for the others?” she asked in a rough whisper. It looked like he hadn’t.
“No,” Marshall replied, draping the warm cotton blankets over her body. “You need these. It’ll help promote healing.”
A soft sigh escaped her lips as he tucked them around her, avoiding her injured side. He was right, the heat was wonderful.
“Thank you,” Colette said, her voice choked with emotion, her eyes locked with Marshall’s.
“Anything for my wife,” he said with a cocky grin.
The words wrapped themselves around her heart, filling her chest with a comforting warmth. Her mother said he loved her, and right now, Colette believed it.
There was also a chance he was just being a great guy. Marshall was used to caring for people, animals, and the ranch. This would be no different.
“Coco, we spoke to the cardiologist, and he says your heart shouldn’t affect your recovery at all after the surgery. Everything looks good on that end. The doctor wants you to stay here a few more days for observation, but you’re healing well.” Her mother stroked her leg as Marshall fussed all around her and gave her more water.
Colette sighed with relief. She hadn’t even considered what impact the stabbing would have had on her heart. Though it hurt to breathe deeply, she would recover. Hopefully, with a few remaining side effects besides the scar from the stitches, she was afraid to see.
Her eyelids began to feel heavy, and Colette nuzzled into her pillow.
“You know, I think you’re in good hands now,” her mother said as Colette began to drift off. “Marshall will let us know whenyou’re awake again. You need to rest. Your dad and I will come back later. Aurora too. We’ll bring back dinner for our son-in-law.” Frankie stifled a giggle as she spoke the last words. Her mother and father both came to the bed and leaned over her. Each parent dropped a kiss on her forehead and left her with a quiet “I love you.”
“I love you. See you later,” she mumbled.
Marshall rose to see them off, their voices trailing from the hallway. Though she wanted to hear what they were saying, she didn’t have the energy to focus. She wiggled in the bed trying to get comfortable, which was a mistake. Maybe for a while, this would be the norm. The soothing sweep of a hand over her brow made her aware that Marshall had returned.
“I love you too, Marshall,” Colette mumbled, turning to gaze at him. She blinked to stay awake, but she was losing the fight. The words had been tucked safely in her heart and after everything she had almost lost, it was impossible to hold on to them any longer. “Thank you for taking such good care of me.”
“Always,” he said, his voice thick. “Anything for my wife. I love you, Colette.”
She smiled in her drowsy sleep, the words heating her like the blankets he had wrapped all around her body.
CHAPTER 55
“Iwish that doctor would hurry up,” Frankie Slip grumbled, her hand squeezing Colette’s. Her hospital stay had been extended thanks to an infection in the wound, but after a round of antibiotics, they were waiting for their discharge papers. The thought of being out of the hospital and sleeping without being awakened by nurses, blood pressure cuffs, or random machine noises sounded heavenly.
Her father and Aurora sat in chairs on the other side of her bed.
“I heard you’re allowed visitors,” Simone spoke in a sing-song voice from the doorway. She danced her way into the room holding refreshments.
