“He does,” Sully said. “I can’t wait to meet Wyatt.”
Finding a grin on Sully’s face, Charley smiled back. Owen was smiling, too, as he entered the room again and said that he’d contacted Roy, Randy, and the Coopers.
“Your cousins are relieved and happy you’re okay, Sully. Randy said to tell you he will keep the horses and skeet customers covered. Roy says his girlfriend, Mindy, will also help out in the store with the customers until you’re well enough to come back to work.”
“Good to know. Those guys are great. Thanks, Dad.”
“I called Derek Brevard, so all of the Coopers are aware by now that you survived and are on the road to recovery.” Turning to Charley, Owen said, “Chloe said to tell you she’ll have a warm dinner waiting for you whenever you get back out to Triple C-West, Charley.”
“Thank you, Owen,” Charley replied. Then to Sully, she said, “I should get going and let you rest, Sully. And I’ve left that puppy for the Brevards to care for long enough. I don’t want us to wear out our welcome.”
She could tell Sully was about to protest her leaving when an overhead announcement advised everyone that visiting hours in the ICU were over in ten minutes. Sully’s nurse entered as themessage ended and stated that Dr. Sankari was happy with his latest labs.
“I’ll call you later, if that’s okay,” Sully said and reached for Charley’s hand.
Charley took his hand and nodded. “Yes, please.” When he tugged on her hand, she stepped closer. Impulsively, she leaned down and gave him a gentle hug and kiss.
“Thank you,” Sully whispered in her ear.
When Charley stood up and met his gaze, the look in his green eyes and on his face conveyed a multitude of meanings behind his words. She guessed first and foremost he appreciated her believing he was innocent of the charges Trish had leveled against him. Maybe his thank you included finding his wallet and phone. And perhaps, she hoped, he was thankful she’d come to him in the hospital. Wild horses couldn’t have kept her away.
“Yes, thank you, Charley,” Owen seconded with a heartfelt smile.
“My pleasure,” Charley said simply, letting it cover everything for both men. She felt Sully squeeze her hand before letting go. Picking up her purse, Charley walked to the doorway, and turning to Sully with a wave, she said, “Good night.”
As heavy as her heart had been for nearly twenty-four hours, Charley’s heart danced a happy jig in her chest now. She smiled all the way through the hospital and outside to the parking garage. Once she reached her car, she got in and locked the door. She paused to send two texts. To Leon, she said she hoped he was feeling better and explained that Sully was in the hospital after a serious car accident. In addition, she explained to Leon that she had an obligation to take a puppy off the hands of her cousin and couldn’t visit him. To Rod, she turned down his offer of lunch, firmly reminded him that she would never accept another date and told him not to contact her again. Having realized she hadn’t blocked Rod’s number, she did so now forcertain. Then Charley started her Mini Cooper and left the hospital garage. She headed for the interstate, and halfway to the country, her cell phone rang. Keeping her hands on the wheel, she answered.
“So, when will you be back?”
“Sully.” She giggled happily. “I haven’t even reached Triple C-West yet.”
He chuckled, and his deep voice was music to her ears. “That doesn’t answer my question.”
“When do you want me back?” she asked, her headlights shining on the highway and thickening ponderosa pines.
“Now,” he said. “I’ll scoot over in this bed, and you can spend the night with me.”
“I’d like nothing better,” she admitted. “But I think your doctor and the nurses might object.”
“I don’t care,” he said. “I want you with me, Charley.”
Those words made Charley deliriously happy. “I want to be with you too.”
“Do you mean that?”
“Yes, I do. How about I come by tomorrow and see if they’ll let me take you home?”
“Promise?” he asked.
“Promise.”
Even after their conversation ended, the smile didn’t leave Charley’s face. She soon pulled under the Triple C Ranch-West wooden archway and parked in the drive near the lovely home. Grabbing the puppy food, she all but skipped up the steps and rang the bell. Chloe answered the door and gave her a big hug. The twins were already in bed, but Cooper appeared in the foyer, holding the puppy, with the German shepherd at his side.
“Time for you to be getting ready for bed too, Cooper,” Chloe said. “You have school tomorrow.”
“Aww…Mom,” Cooper began. He was a miniature of his father. “Do I have to? I’m playing with the puppy.”
“You can take Wyatt and Spike outside to go potty, but then it’s up to bed.”
