Page 70 of Homicide in Water Creek

“King thinks he failed us,” Jacks said, staring out the window. They’d been transferred to Duluth because it was the closest hospital equipped to handle all their injuries, but even the view of the lake in the morning sunshine couldn’t lift her heart.

Keene chuckled and shrugged. “Dean can say whatever he wants, but we know the truth. He’ll come around. Give him time.”

Rather than agreeing, Jacks asked the only other question she had. “How’s Maverick?”

“Back at work,” Granddaddy said with a chuckle. “Couldn’t get out of here fast enough.”

“I can’t blame him for that,” she said with a weak smile. “I’d love nothing more than to get out of here.”

“The doctor is going to release me this afternoon,” Granddaddy said. “We’ll get a hotel room so we can stay close to you.”

She was happy for him, but that meant she would truly be alone. A tear slipped down her cheek at the thought, but she shook it away. “No, you should go home. I’ll be fine here alone. Go home and take care of the ranch. They need you there. When I’m ready to come home, we can arrange a ride.”

“I don’t want to leave you here alone, Jackie,” Granddaddy said, wiping away a tear from her cheek.

“She’s not alone,” a voice said from the doorway. Jacks closed her eyes. She refused to look at his face, knowing she’d have to say goodbye again. “I’ll take care of her.”

When she opened her eyes, Keene was hugging his grandson, whispering in his ear before walking back to Jackson’s wheelchair. “We’ll give you two some time alone. We’ll check in before he’s released.”

All Jacks could do was nod as Keene wheeled Granddaddy out of the room, leaving her with the man she loved but could never have.

“Jacks,” King said softly. She couldn’t stop the tears this time. “It’s okay, Jacks.”

“Stop saying my name!” she yelled, a sob choking her words. “Stop pretending you care!”

Gathering her in his arms, he wiped away her tears with something soft and let her cry herself out. Tenderly stroking her arm, he waited until her sobs subsided to hiccups and she took a few shaky breaths. All she could do was stare at the ceiling, her fist pressed to her chest.

He took her fist and held it in his warm, gentle hand. “It hurts, I know,” he whispered. “Most of that is my fault.” She tried to push his hand away, but he held on, rubbing his thumb across her knuckles. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize for how you feel, King.”

“I’m not apologizing for how I feel. I apologize for being a coward. I never should have left you alone. I never should have walked away. I should have stayed and fought through everything crashing down on me. The thought of you seeing me that way was too much, Jacks. I didn’t want you to see me cry, knowing I almost lost the woman I would die for because of the mistakes I made. I couldn’t let you see me weaker than you have ever been or ever will be.”

“You’re not weak, King. You were overwhelmed. There’s a difference.”

“That’s true, but I couldn’t see it. All I could see was what I’d done wrong, not what I’d done right.”

“Keene said he talked to you.”

King’s smile was small before he spoke. “He told me to get my head out of my ass and get back here because you deserved better than what I had given you. He was right.”

“I’d expect no less, I suppose.”

“He also told me he’s moving into the main house with Jackson. He said the events of the last month showed them that every day they give up being together because of fear is a day they’ll never get back. That hit me hard. Every day we give up being afraid is a day we never get back. How spot on is that?”

“He’s a wise one,” Jacks said, her lips trembling. “Was he scolding you just now?” she asked, motioning toward the door.

“No, he told me that once we’re home, he’s signing over King’s Korner Ranch to me. He said it’s time for a new generation to own it.”

She nodded, her chin trembling. “That’s great, King. I’m glad the land will stay in the family. You might not want to be a rancher, but that land still means something to you in here,” she said, tapping his chest.

He nodded, eyes shining as he spoke again. “It does. I’ve come to realize it’s my home, and I love it, but not more than you. I’d give it all up if I had you with me. I can’t do this life alone anymore, Jacks.”

“King, I—” She shook her head, unable to continue. “I’m sorry. Everything feels hopeless right now.”

“No, baby,” he promised, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Just the opposite is true.”

“It doesn’t feel that way,” she said. “I helped make arrangements today for the rodeo guys to go to other schools or head back home. A few left today, and most will leave tomorrow. I guess when it’s over, it’s over.”