Page 93 of Spurred On

Chapter Sixteen

The long harrowing wait for news on Dad’s condition was so much easier to bear surrounded by friends and family as she was. Although, if Sidney was being honest, it was Cody’s presence specifically that soothed her the most. Even though—after Ben and his brothers showed up—he made it a point not to sit next to her or put his arm around her or anything like that.

When the surgeon came into the room, they all leaped to their feet. His gaze flicked over the anxious faces and landed on hers. “Miss Stevens?”

“Yes,” both she and Hanna said in tandem.

The surgeon sighed, and Sidney’s gut tightened, but he went on to say, “I’m pleased to announce that all went well.”

A cheer rose through the room, and Nurse Nazi hissed a “shh” at them.

They ignored her.

“He’s still not out of the woods,” the surgeon cautioned. “But it’s looking really good. He’s in post-op now and will be sedated until tomorrow. You’re welcome to come back then.”

She couldn’t help herself. She ran to him—stranger that he was—and hugged him. Hanna did the same, but all the men settled on handshakes and effusive thanks.

“I suppose we should go home now,” Logan said, settling his arm around Hanna and smiling down at her.

Hanna nodded. “We should go relieve Claire. She’s been with Mom all day.”

Sidney couldn’t help glancing at Cody, and her heart plummeted. With Hanna and Logan here, there was no reason for him to stay with her tonight, or return here tomorrow, and they both knew it. He forced a smile at her.

“You going to be okay?”

She nodded, but she wasn’t. Not really. She didn’t want him to leave.

Tragically, he took her at face value and swallowed heavily and turned to the Wilders. “You are all welcome to stay at the ranch tonight. It’s a long drive back to Dallas.”

“Aw,” Rafe said. “We couldn’t put you out.”

“Not at all. Besides Cade would have a hissy fit if he missed you. There’s plenty of space.”

“Yeah,” Ben chuckled. “But I made a vow I would never spend a night at the Stud Ranch.”

Brandon chuckled. “Me too.”

Rafe glowered at his brothers. “Quit being such pussies. Besides, I bet we can get a poker game going, toss in some alcohol and win back what Cody stole from us last time.”

“I didn’t steal it,” Cody grumbled, but Sidney could tell he was only kidding.

“That does sound like fun,” Logan said with a grimace.

Hanna peeped up at him. “You can go,” she said.

He shook his head and kissed her on the forehead. “I couldn’t leave you alone.”

“I won’t be alone, silly. Sidney will be there. It will be like old times. Besides, you and I don’t need to be joined at the hip.”

Logan flicked a longing glance at the guys. “Are you sure?”

Hanna blew out a laugh. “Go.”

As they all headed out to the parking garage, Rafe suggested they call Ford and make it a real party and all the guys laughed.

Walking behind them, Sidney watched their interactions and something warm blossomed in her chest. Even though she wasn’t going to Cody’s to play poker, she still felt part of something. A collection of friends who really cared about one another and enjoyed being in one another’s presence.

It was something . . . special. And she was a part of it.