“Is Lance here?”
“Yes. I’ll send him in.” He squeezed her hand. “Take care honey.” Duncan left.
She smiled and shut her eyes and might have even drifted off when she was woken by a familiar voice.
“If this is your poor attempt at trying to delay the wedding, it won’t work.”
Lance.
She opened her eyes, turned her head, and saw him standing in the door. He was teasing, but there was no trace of it in his expression. He looked horrid. His hair was in disarray and there was definite worry in his expression. She lifted her hand and he rushed over in a few long strides taking it in his and kissing it.
“You scared the shit out of me.” He turned his face into her palm and closed his eyes.
“Me too.”
“How are you doing?”
“I should ask you that.”
He finally smiled. “That figures.”
“My chest hurts and my abdomen where they cut into me, but it’s not bad yet. They’ll keep me happy on pain meds.”
“Tsk tsk, joking?”
“I know, but it’s better than feeling sorry for myself.”
“Honey, can you think of anyone that would want to hurt you?”
She shook her head. “Honestly, no and Duncan already asked me.”
“I know. He told me.”
“I know it was a car. That’s it. The doctor was saying if it was a truck I probably wouldn’t be here.” She felt a shudder go through him. Gosh he really did love her.
He swallowed hard and stared down at her. “I need to tell you something?”
“Please don’t call off the wedding. I’ll be fine.”
He caressed her cheek with his fingers and smiled. “Never even crossed my mind. Marianne came to see me.”
“Here?”
He nodded. “Her last effort to try and get me back. I told her to leave. She was driving a car, but I can’t see her doing this. She’s a lot of things but not a murderer.”
“I don’t know her as well as you but I’m going to agree with you Lance. I trust your judgment. I mean you’ve made a career out of reading people.”
“Get some sleep.” He bent down and kissed her forehead. “I’ll be close by.”
She didn’t protest. It wasn’t long after that she fell asleep.
***
Tammy remained in the hospital for another week. Lance tried to get her to move home with his family so they could look after her, but she refused. They were currently at the entrance of the hospital. She was sitting in a wheelchair, which she didn’t want, but it was policy to escort patients out that way. She stood up and let the nurse take the chair. Lance helped her into the truck still arguing with her. “It’s only for a few days, so I know you’ll be fine.” He shut the door and walked around to get in behind the wheel.
“I either take a cab home or you drive me.” This argument started in her room and he was like a dog with a bone. He was not letting it go.
He clenched his jaw in anger. “You need family around you. Besides, Jake’s a stone’s throw away from the ranch. The hospital is forty five minutes.”
