Game On: a book in the Cotton Creek Saga (Heartbreakers & Heroes 9)

by Ciana Stone

  "Holy fuck." Was this real? Light literally gathered into a stream, circling through the clouds, then splitting into two streams. One rotated clockwise and the other counter-clockwise, beginning at the ground and rising up, circling closer and closer

  When the streams merged, there was a massive flare that made Riggs throw his hand up over his eyes. The light plummeted, striking Lincoln's open palm. Riggs could hear the sizzle and the short, sudden noise that came from Lincoln.

  His hand went to the center of Mathias' chest, and it looked like Mathias staggered a bit, but stabilized just before Lincoln's hand that lay atop Wiley's lit up like a flare. Wiley grunted and a moment later, Josie's body illuminated as if illuminated from within. It stiffened, arched and stayed that way until suddenly the light vanished.

  With the disappearance of the light, the clouds also dissipated. Riggs blinked, feeling every bit like a person who wasn't sure they'd just seen what they thought they'd witnessed. He stood, and at that moment the sound of a helicopter had everyone looking up.

  There was no more time to think. The medics got Josie loaded up. Dillon begged to be allowed to go with her but was denied. There was no time to waste, and he had to be debriefed. Riggs knew the next few hours would be tense a bit chaotic, particularly for a civilian like Dillon who'd never been involved in anything like this.

  And the truth was, he and the rest of the men who'd volunteered for this mission needed to talk before any debriefing. He was willing to bet that none of them wanted anything said about what he'd watched. And truth be told, he wanted them to let him know just what the hell he had seen.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Dillon had just unlocked his vehicle when his phone rang. He fished it out of his pocket. "What's up?"

  "You planning on visiting Josie?" His brother Riggs asked.

  "What for?" Dillon climbed in and started the engine. He'd been visiting Josie for months, and every time it was the same. She lay unmoving and unresponsive. At first, when she'd gone into the coma, the doctors had been hopeful she'd regain consciousness.

  After three months, they became less optimistic. Her father had insisted that they continue with the physical therapy, moving her limbs every day to prevent her muscles from atrophying, along with reading to her and telling her what was happening in the world.

  Dillon had been hopeful at first, too. Then his hope ran out. And when that happened, all he was left with was guilt. It was because of him that she lay in that bed, in a coma. Despite saving her life, what Wiley, Lincoln, and Mathias had done, had not been enough.

  Football season started, and that helped fill his days. To his surprise, even though they were once again, state champs, the wins didn't seem to mean as much to Dillon.

  A week ago, out of desperation, he'd had Mathias ask Grady Judd to come to see Josie. Lula had told Dillon what Grady did for her, bringing her back from the In-Between place.

  Grady had tried, but Josie wasn't there, he told them. Wherever she was, it was not in the land between the living and the dead. So where the hell was she? Dillon didn't know how to even hope anymore.

  "I think you should go see her, Dillon," Riggs said. "Today."

  "Why?"

  "I don't know. Maybe because her father called Dad and said if there was no change by the end of the year, he was going to have her moved to a facility nearer to where he lived, a place for the long-term care of coma patients. And maybe because it's almost Christmas and it's time to tell her how you feel, thank her for her sacrifice and if you can't stick, then tell her goodbye."

  Goodbye. That word made his chest feel tight. Even after all these months, Dillon couldn't forget what it'd felt like to hold her, feel her touch on his skin or bask in the light of her smile. She was truly, the first great love of his life, a woman who'd been willing to sacrifice her life for him. And not because it was her job. He knew better than that.

  So how the hell did he say goodbye? Could he? Was that the right thing to do? How long did he let his life be controlled by someone who wasn't really there? God, help me. I don't know what to do.

  Suddenly fear boiled up like acid in his throat, and he slammed on brakes. The SUV jerked to a stop inches from an older gray-haired man who stood in the road. Dillon threw the vehicle into park and jumped out. "Are you okay?"

  "Fine son, thank you. It did give me a bit of a start, and I guess I didn't realize you were going so fast or—"

  "I'm sorry," Dillon interrupted. "I was—never mind, I apologize. Are you sure you're okay?"

  "Yes, I am."

  "Could I give you a ride?"

  "Why that'd be welcome, thank you."

  "Sure, get in."

  Once they were in the car, Dillon looked at the man. "I'm Dillon."

  "Joe," the man held out a hand. "Nice to meet you, Dillon."

  "Thank you, sir." Dillon shook Joe's hand. "Where can I take you?"

  "I was headed to visit a friend at the hospital."

  "Well, that's a coincidence. So was I."

  "I'm sure your friend will be happy to see you."

  "I wish."

  "Sounds like you have concerns for your friend."

  Dillon looked at Joe, saw the clear blue eyes set in that face that could only be described as kind and before he knew it, he was spilling his guts. The gentleman didn't interrupt or comment until Dillon finished with "and I'm not really supposed to tell anyone, and I don't know why I'm unloading on you, but I hope you'll keep this in confidence."

  "Don't worry, son. Your secret's safe with me. And if you wouldn't mind a suggestion from someone who has a few more years under his belt?"

  "Sure, I can use all the help I can get."

  "You said that once she asked you to have faith in her."

  "Yeah and look where that got her."

  "Well, maybe it's time to have a little faith in yourself and your love." Joe chuckled, "yeah, I know you didn't come right out and say it, but it's clear as the nose on your face. So, how about you tell her that, and just ask her to come back. Tell her you appreciate all she did and ask her to let you help her now. Have some faith QB. You might be surprised what it can do. Look what happened to Snow White and her prince. That one little kiss."

  QB? Did I tell him that? Dillon didn't remember, but maybe he had. He'd damn sure run his mouth for fifteen minutes straight.

  "Maybe," he finally said and then added. "And here we are. Listen, thanks for letting me unload on you. It's been a while since I talked to anyone about this and I guess I just needed to get it out. And I hope your friend will be okay. You want me to let you out at the front? I have to park, and it sometimes is a good hike."

  "I have faith that will be the case," Joe said and smiled. "And thank you, Dillon. You're a kind young man."

  "I try." Dillon pulled up in front of the entrance and stopped. "Thank you, Joe."

  Joe nodded. "You bet."

  Dillon found a place to park. As he started walking toward the entrance of the hospital, Dillon thought about all that had happened since Josie threw herself in front of him to take a bullet that was meant for him. He thought about what Joe had said and wondered, was he capable of having that kind of faith and even if he did, would it change anything?

  Those thoughts occupied his mind as he made his way through the hospital. Just as he turned the corner to the corridor where her room was located, he saw Joe leaving a room. Josie's room. No, that couldn't be right. He had to be mistaken. Joe headed the opposite direction and never looked in Dillon's direction.

  Dillon figured he had to be mistaken, but sure enough, the room Joe had left was Josie's. Dillon walked in, stopped and looked. Nothing had changed. She still lay there, as still as death. He walked over and sat down on the edge of her bed, took her hand and marveled that it was warm. How could she look so healthy and be so... missing?

  "I wish you'd come back, Josie. There's so much I want to tell you. I'm alive and whole because of you. You saved me, and I want more than anything to save you. I want t
o tell you how much you mean to me.

  "I've relived every moment we spent together a hundred times. Every morning I wake up, hoping this will be the day that you open your eyes, and every night I fall asleep wishing that wishes really could come true.

  "Today I met a man who told me I needed to have faith. I want to. I do. I just don't know how. I believe that you're the best thing that ever happened to me, and I believe that you sacrificed yourself to save me because you love me. I love you, and I want that love to be strong enough to save you, but I'm scared to try because I don't want to make a fool of myself and I don't want to fail."

  Dillon looked back to make sure no one was in the hall outside of Josie's room before he leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Come back to me Josie. Please. Come back to me."

  Then he kissed her, slowly and gently. Her lips were soft beneath his, and warm, but there was no movement, no reaction. He sat up, feeling foolish for even thinking it was a possibility. Dillon raised his hands to his face, rubbing eyes that felt abraded from too many nights without sleep.

  "Hey."

  His entire body jerked, and his hands flew back from his face. Josie looked up at him with a slight smile.

  "Josie? You're—Josie... hey! Hey!" He ran to the door and yelled out. "Hey, someone, she's awake, she's awake."

  Then he ran back to her. "You're awake. You're really awake. Can you understand me?"

  She nodded. "Throat. Dry."

  Dillon hurried to get her a cup of water, sloshed half of it onto the bed and nearly spilled the rest of it on her. He lifted her bed up and held the cup for her as she sipped a tiny bit.

  "Good." She said and smiled.

  Dillon wanted to tell her right then that he loved her, but two nurses ran in and hustled him out, instructing him they'd come get him in the waiting room after she'd been seen by a physician. He went to the waiting room, pulled out his phone and started making calls. For the first in a long time, he had good news to share, and it had nothing at all to do with football and everything to do with what was the most important part of his life.

  Chapter Fourteen

  "Everything okay, Josie?"

  Josie turned from looking out over the rolling land to see Russell Walker standing behind her. "Just fine, sir. Thank you."

  He walked over and put an arm around her shoulder, and after a moment she leaned her head against him. He'd quickly found a place in her heart and made her feel a member of his family. There was something about him that made her feel safe and protected. She had a feeling that her father was going to like Russell.

  "Naomie said to tell you she'd see you in the morning. She has a mare about to foal and has to be there."

  "She's really into the breeding program. She said she met another breeder and large animal vet in the area, Morgan Alexander and they really hit it off. In fact, she thinks Morgan may have mare that would be perfect for the program."

  “Yes, Morgan’s an exceptional breeder. We just paid a king’s ransom for bull semen from one of her bulls.”

  “You pay for that? Don’t the cows just do it like the birds and bees?”

  “Not with that bull. He’s a monster and mean as a snake. She says he’ll literally kill a cow.”

  “Wow, that’s harsh. And she breeds horses as well?”

  “She does. Like I said a smart and capable woman. As is her husband Cord. He developed the tracking system we’re using for SynthBee and I just sighed a contract with his company for the technology to be used on our animals. It’s far more advanced that anything we’ve seen to date.”

  “I think I’d like to meet those people one day.”

  “I’m sure you will.”

  “I feel pretty blessed you know. To be part of this. To have made friends like Naomie. She’s really something.”

  "She is indeed," he said and changed the topic. "Do you mind if I ask a personal question?"

  "No, of course not." She and Dillon had been very honest with their families and revealed that they'd had feelings for one another before she was shot, so the bond between them was not something formed from shared trauma.

  "Do you remember anything from the time you were in the coma?"

  "Some. I think. A few times I thought Dillon was there, holding my hand and talking to me. And I heard Lula and my dad. And I heard you, too. You and Naomie. It kind of felt like a dream. I wanted to tell you all not to worry, but I was just too tired to wake up and talk."

  "Is that it?"

  "There is one other thing. I haven't told anyone but Dillon." She looked up at him. "Something happened to me after I was shot. I remember being held in strong arms and having hands on me. On my back and my chest. Then there was light. So much light that it washed out everything and it erased all the pain and just before it took me, I remember knowing."

  "Knowing what?"

  "The people with me. Wiley and Lincoln and Mathias. They gave me their lifeforce. Lincoln pulled the energy from nature, and it went into all of them and into me, and they saved me. At great risk to themselves, they saved me.

  "I still feel them, sir. I think maybe I always will. Like echoes or ghosts, it's hard to explain."

  "They're remarkable men."

  "They are. I've met a lot of remarkable men since I've been here. Like you and Riggs and Dillon. You know Riggs protected Dillon, right? He'd have taken that bullet. He loves Dillon, and they both love you, sir. You're such a giant to them, the one they measure themselves against."

  "I don't know that I deserve it and they more than measure up. I want to thank you, Josie. You risked everything for my son."

  "He's worth it, sir."

  "Are you always going to be so formal?"

  "Yes, sir. I'm the same with my dad. It's just the way he brought me up. But don't think it's because I don't care, or like you. I do. You make me feel like family, and I love you for that and for being a man who'd raise a family like you have. They're pretty remarkable people."

  "You're pretty remarkable yourself, and I'm glad you're part of our family."

  "Even though we didn't have that big wedding?"

  "Yeah, even though."

  "Thank you. And there is one other thing."

  "What's that?"

  "There's an angel in Cotton Creek."

  "An angel?"

  "Yes. Joe. A lot of people have met him. He came to visit me in the hospital. He rode in with Dillon and told me that Dillon was running out of faith, so I needed to wake up and restore it. He kissed me on the forehead and the next thing I knew, Dillon was there and kissed me awake, just like a fairy tale."

  "Are you sure you didn't dream that?"

  "No sir, it's real."

  "If you say so, then I believe it."

  "Hey, that's my girl, get one of your own," Dillon's voice had Russell chuckling, then leaning down to kiss the top of Josie's head.

  "Rest well, Josie girl."

  "You, too, sir."

  Russell patted Dillon on the shoulder on his way inside. Dillon went to Josie and took her in his arms. She snuggled up against him and sighed. "It's so beautiful here. I'm surprised any of you ever wanted to leave."

  "I liked football more than cattle and horses."

  She nodded. "I know. Still, it's beautiful. And really nice of your father to let us stay here while I'm building my strength back up. Oh, and did you hear? My dad's coming for Christmas. Your father called and invited him."

  "I'm glad. I know you're eager to spend more time with him."

  "And for you and he to get to know one another. He's going to be so impressed by you."

  "You think?"

  "I know."

  "If you say so. Hey, you never did tell me what you want for Christmas?"

  Josie pulled back to look at him. "How could I want for anything more than what I have? My dad's coming to spend the holidays. Your family has made me feel like one of them, I've made friends here I love, and we're together. That's everything I ever wanted and more."

  "Are you sur
e?"

  "Well, there is one thing. Lula said there's a big Christmas thing in town, the day before Christmas Eve. Apparently, almost everyone in town shows up, and there's food and music, and she said it's supposed to be very festive. I'd love to go."

  "Then we will."

  "I mean all of us, the whole family. You think we could talk them into it?"

  "Baby, I think they'd all do just about anything for you. You've got them all wrapped around your finger. Even Delaney and she's the hardest nut to crack of all."

  "Are you kidding? She's terrific. I feel like I finally have a sister. And I already asked her, and she said yes, so...?"

  "Consider it a family date."

  "Then that's what I want. But what about you? I haven't had a chance to go shopping."

  "Haven't you figured it out yet? You're what I want."

  Josie hugged him. "Have I told you today I love you?"

  "I think I could stand hearing it a few million more times."

  "I love you, Dillon. Forever and always."

  "Look a shooting star." He pointed. "Make a wish, and maybe it'll come true."

  "It already has." She had the one thing she'd wanted her entire life. A man to love, who made her feel she was the sun in his sky, a family and a place where she felt welcome and surrounded by friends. She smiled to herself. Life might have challenges in store for her and Dillon as well as their family and friends, but she had faith they could meet and overcome whatever came their way.

  She hadn't come to Cotton Creek expecting to find any of that, but as it turned out, Cotton Creek was a place where love was always possible, miracles happened, and angels are real.

  It didn't get any better than that.

   An excerpt from

  Copyright 2019, Ciana Stone

  Chapter One

  The volume of the music decreased, and Mathias called out. "Happy New Year Everyone!"

  Russell clapped along with everyone else as fireworks lit the sky over the lake, the pops and booms competing with the cheers and happy voices around him. This New Year's Eve was far different from any other he'd experienced.