Broken Ties (The Healing Series Book 5)

by Kelly Seibold

  "I've come to talk to you about Stephanie."

  "Is she okay?"

  "Yes. I'm sorry. I should have started with that."

  Marlon breathed a sigh of relief. The door opened again, and Cheryl came out, carrying another bag, and paused at the steps. Marlon turned to his wife and told her, "Stephanie's okay. That's not what this is about. I don’t have a clue what it is about, but she's okay." Before closing the trunk, Marlon took the bag from his wife and added it to his already there.

  "What are you guys doing?"

  "Well." Marlon took the lead. "Seeing that I think Stephanie wants to move home with you, I don't think she wants us there for that. So to avoid making this more awkward than it already is, we are heading to a hotel."

  "She just needs space."

  "I understand. We stopped calling her. I guess the ball is in her court. Did you need something else?"

  "Yes. Well." He stopped and wiped his hands on his pants. Nerves. Why was he nervous? "Since my Gramps is very old-fashioned, and I look up to him." And now he was rambling. "I came to ask for your blessing to ask your daughter to marry me. And if you don't give it. Tough. I'm asking her anyway."

  Cheryl grinned, and Marlon walked out and stuck out a hand for Jake to shake. "Good job, young man. I'd be honored to have you as a son-in-law."

  "Thank you, sir."

  "Now, let us know when Stephanie wants to talk. Full disclosure."

  "I will. Thank you."

  "We are going to go and check-in. Call us anytime."

  Cheryl walked up and hugged Jake. "Welcome to the family."

  He watched them drive away before getting in his car and driving to the facility, to Stephanie.

  ******

  Stephanie stood at the vending machine. Her backpack was on the floor in front of her as she looked at the various selections. She shifted to one hip and swiped her card, making her choice.

  She studied where the bag of chips came out and pondered her best course of action. Matt went to reach for it. "Don't touch!"

  He held up his hands in surrender. "I was just going to help you."

  "I have to do this myself. I won't always have someone with me."

  "Fine," he relented. His eyes looked past Stephanie as Elizabeth rounded the corner, laughing with a doctor. Stephanie's gaze snapped back over to Matt, and his fists were clenched at his sides.

  "Are you okay?"

  "Yeah." He smiled, but it was forced. "Just waiting on you, slowpoke."

  Stephanie shook her head at him, shifted her weight, and pulled the chips out successfully. "Yeah, baby!"

  "There you go, hot stuff!" They high-fived before Matt's eyes snapped back to the end of the hall. He nodded his head. "You have a visitor."

  "I do?" She turned her head and looked down the hall, and her breath caught in her lungs. Jake stood still. He was looking at her in awe. He walked briskly to her before stopping in front of her. "I bought chips," she said lamely.

  He barked a laugh. "I see that, baby. The crutches look good on you."

  No one noticed Matt leaving.

  "Thanks. I wanted to surprise you, but you surprised me. You're back early."

  "I had something I had to do, so I caught an earlier flight."

  "I'm glad you're here," she said.

  "Me too. I missed you." He grabbed her by the waist, and she leaned the crutches against the machine as he pulled her to him. She dropped the chips as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm going to kiss you now," he said before his lips touched hers. His tongue slipped into her mouth as his hand went into her hair. Her hands played with his hair at the nape of his neck, and he sucked her bottom lip into his mouth with a groan. "Five days," he murmured into her mouth.

  She blushed when he looked at her. "Five days," she repeated.

  He pulled back but kept one hand on her waist as he handed her crutches to her.

  "Hand me my backpack, please. Damn, I dropped my chips."

  "I got this." He handed them to her, and she put the chips in her backpack before slipping it on. She smiled at him and maneuvered down the hall to her room.

  "Did you sleep while you were away?" she asked as she sat on the recliner with an oomph. She couldn't quite hold back the grimace of pain.

  "What's wrong?"

  "Bruised hip. I wasn't without falls this week. And no scowling. I'm okay. Matt checked with everyone, and I've had more X-rays this week as well. Earlier today, actually. And don't change the subject. Did you sleep this week?"

  "I slept some. Probably not as much as I should, but the new chief of staff starts tomorrow! Cheyenne is coming in earlier to help set up his office. I'm so relieved. I also called Landon this week and got information on Dylan from him. He said that Dylan had gone home. You didn't tell me in your texts that Sam is pregnant. Landon gossips worse than a girl."

  "She is, but they haven't told Drew yet. I think they are starting therapy this week, but all is quiet on the Anderson front. Sam hasn't texted me in a couple of days. I am worried about her. And Jack is staying with them for now. It turns out Dylan twisted his knee as well, so he's not getting around very well."

  "So, your parents have gone to a hotel. They said you probably want your house back."

  "You saw my parents?"

  Jake squirmed. "Yes." Think Jake! "I-I wanted to see what needed to be done for your wheelchair."

  "Oh. What needed to be done?"

  "They were leaving as I showed up, so I didn't go inside."

  "Hi, guys." Stephanie's surgeon stepped into the room. "How are you feeling, Dr. Waterford?"

  "Good. A little sore."

  "That's normal." He looked at Jake. "Is it okay for him to be here?"

  "He's seen my medical records. He can stay."

  "That's fine, but there are some personal things to go over that I know for a fact he didn't look at."

  She looked at Jake. "You didn't look at everything?"

  "No." That was sweet of him

  "Do you want to leave?"

  "I want you to be comfortable. I'll go to my office. Call me when you're finished."

  He patted Brian on the shoulder as he passed by.

  "He really didn't look?"

  "He saw the logistics of bullets and things as he tried to figure something out, but he never looked at things about having children. I asked him if he wanted to assist in the surgery, and he said he couldn't. He was too close to you. He was distraught over you."

  "He was?"

  "Most definitely."

  "What did you want to tell me privately?"

  "You are cleared for sexual activity on Friday as planned. I'm not saying it's all going to be pleasant, so be careful, and I'm sorry, but I actually think you should get a hysterectomy. I'm shocked they didn't do that first thing. Your OBGYN will be here shortly to talk to you about that."

  "Okay."

  "And no driving yet. Do you have any more questions?"

  "No."

  "Here's the report I wrote up for you. I'll see you in three months if you don't need me before. And your release papers are in there as well. I hope to see you back at work soon. Your office is still waiting for you over there."

  "Thanks, Brian."

  "You're welcome! Later."

  Her OBGYN must have been waiting outside the door because she came in less than five minutes later, giving her all the details about lead poisoning and damaged ovaries, and yeah, just ugh. The truth was, after Stephanie graduated high school, even after she'd named her and Jake's unborn children, she didn't want any, or so she thought, but it was one thing to say you don't want them, then to be told you can't have them. She didn't know how to feel anything except anger toward the sociopath who put her here. And she wasn't looking forward to yet one more surgery.

  She guessed she needed to tell Jake. If he wanted children, they needed to talk. After all, she planned on spending the rest of her life with the man.

  Forgoing the crutches, she climbed into her wheelchair and rolled dow
n the hall to the nurses' station. She asked for directions and made her way down the hall until she found his office. That new girl, Cheyenne, was coming out of it with about three notebooks that she took to the office next door.

  He was standing, looking out the window, and she took him in. He had on tennis shoes and a lab coat. She saw the blanket on the couch and frowned. If her parents were gone, he needed to go to her house and sleep for a week. He yawned before startling when he saw her out of the corner of his eye. "Hey, baby."

  "Jacob. I have news."

  "What's the matter?"

  The worry in his voice made her eyes mist over. "I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry. I should be better at tact."

  He let out a breath, walked over, pulled her to the couch, and sat down in front of her. He grabbed her hands. "What's up?"

  "First off, he wrote me a release!"

  "That's fantastic!"

  "They want me to have a hysterectomy." And there went her tact again. She watched his face for any reaction but didn't really get one. Was this a doctor's face?

  "Are you upset about it? Did you want children?"

  "No. Not really. I don't think."

  He let out a breath. "So, what's the issue?"

  "I don't want another surgery, for one."

  "That's understandable."

  "And I don't like being told I can't do something."

  "He took your choice away."

  "Yes."

  "Well, I can't do anything about the surgery, but if you ever decide you want children, there are plenty out there who need good homes. And I know you'd make an excellent mother."

  "Thank you." She smiled at him and tried not to cry. "I need to see my parents."

  "Well, they can come to the house. Did Brian say you could leave anytime?"

  "The paperwork is in my purse. Here."

  "Hold up. He should have sent me some paperwork as well. We both have to sign off on it." He pushed her back slightly and walked to his desk. He buzzed someone on his phone. "Cheyenne, did you get some paperwork for me to sign for Dr. Waterford?"

  "Yeah. I'll send it to you."

  "Thanks." He clicked off. "She's a godsend." He sat down at his computer and read over the documents before printing them off and signing them. "Dr. Waterford, You are free to go."

  "My stuff?"

  "I can help you pack up and drive you home."

  "Will you stay with me?" Vulnerability laced her tone. She hated it.

  "Yes. I'd love to stay with you."

  "Can we do that now?"

  "Let me tell Cheyenne what's up and that I'll be back in the morning."

  Stephanie checked out his office while he went next door to talk to his administrative assistant.

  He was back shortly and pushed her down the hall back to her room. "Let me find some boxes. I'll be back."

  Layla came in fifteen minutes later with some boxes and helped her get started packing. Elizabeth entered with more boxes and started with her bathroom stuff.

  "Where's Jake?"

  "I saw him talking on the phone down the hall. He sent us to help before he walked toward the kitchen area."

  It didn't take long for them to pack all her things, and Stephanie was twiddling her thumbs, waiting for Jake to return.

  "I'm so sorry!" He burst through the door. "That took longer than expected. You ready to go?"

  "I've been ready for months!"

  He smiled at her. "Let's go home!"

  Chapter 25

  They pulled up to her house, and Stephanie found herself close to tears. She had wished for this moment for months. A guy she had never seen before walked out from the back of the house, a tool belt slung low on hips. "Are you Jake?" he asked Jake through his open window.

  "Yeah, that's me."

  "Stay here, please," Jake told Stephanie and was out of the car before she could protest, following the man around the house.

  Her front door opened. Leslie stepped out and walked down a ramp that hadn’t been there before. "Hey, girl. Your man called, and Jace and Damon sent a guy over to fix some ramps for you. They’re removable, so when you've had enough of that chair, sayonara ramp."

  "That's amazing. He's amazing. I'm going to cry."

  "Of course, my mom caught wind of this, so she's fixing food in there for you as we speak. I hope you have room. She does nothing in small amounts. Do you need help getting out? Let me get your chair. Pop the trunk, babe." Leslie moved her chair to the side of the car, and Stephanie slid in.

  "Thanks."

  "So, I still want more details than you have given about you and Jake. I mean, for someone who gets paid for people to talk to her, you'd think she'd like to talk once in a while."

  "His dad was in a bad wreck and lost his legs."

  Leslie stopped her pushing and circled the wheelchair to stand in front of her. "What?"

  "Yeah. And he left to become a doctor to help those like his dad, and here we are. And then, while learning to walk and having chronic pain, with Jake in my face, twenty-four-seven, I found out my mom knew about his dad and didn't tell me."

  "Are you serious?"

  "Yeah, it's been a rough month. Months! Hey, can we go inside? My back is knotting up."

  "Sorry. Yes."

  Leslie rolled her into the house and over to her couch. Diana came over and gave her a huge hug. "Great to see you, hon. I have lasagna in the oven for you and Jake. And I will bring some more stuff for you tomorrow after school lets out."

  "Thank you."

  "All right. I have papers to grade. Directions on how to finish up are on the counter. Salad's in the fridge."

  "Thanks again."

  "You're welcome. Do you want to get settled somewhere before we leave?"

  "I need to take something. Would you grab my bag out of the car? Leslie, help me to my room?"

  Leslie helped Stephanie get comfortable. She was so glad to be back in her bed. She had splurged on a good one right before she was shot and never really got to appreciate it. She took some ibuprofen and fell asleep while Jake carried her things.

  A few hours later, she woke to the smell of melty cheese and garlic. Her stomach rumbled. Someone had left her chair and crutches if she needed them, and she opted for the crutches.

  When she reached the kitchen, Jake was removing the lasagna from the oven. The garlic bread sat on the table, along with a tossed salad, and... why were there candles lit?

  "Hey, Annie."

  "What's up, Jacob?"

  "Diana made us dinner, and I have perfect timing. I was taking a chance on when to take this out. I had already turned the heat down low."

  "Oh, well. I can't drive yet, and I have therapy tomorrow at nine. I didn't think about this."

  "I can take you with me when I go in."

  "But what about when I'm done?"

  "Someone will drive you home. I'll make sure of it."

  "Isn't that, like, abusing your power?"

  He stalked toward her and pulled her to him. "Yep. I don't care." He kissed down the side of her neck, and she wobbled. His hands steadied her before he pulled her shirt off her shoulder and kissed her bare skin.

  "Jacob," she breathed.

  "I missed you. I don't want to be gone that long from you again." He buried his nose in her neck. "You smell like honey," he murmured. A timer went off, and Jake groaned. "That's dessert. Excuse me." He made sure she was steady on her feet before going back to the kitchen and removing something from the oven. The smell of cinnamon was strong, and Stephanie practically drooled when he poured icing over the top that melted on contact.

  "Oh my word, that smell is heavenly!"

  "I know, right? Have a seat, and I'll bring your plate over."

  Stephanie hobbled over and managed to get seated at the table. "What's with the candles?" she asked and stuck a piece of garlic bread in her mouth.

  Jake laughed and sat down. "I'm trying to be romantic."

  "Oh."

  "Obviously, I am failing."
r />   "No, no. It's romantic?"

  "Annie, that was not convincing. Have you never had a romantic candlelit dinner before?"

  "My ex-boyfriends were not interested in romance."

  "I don't like the sound of that," he gritted out.

  "Are we really going to talk about our exes at this romantic dinner?"

  "No."

  Stephanie took a bite of the lasagna and groaned. "Oh my word. I wasn't joking. She and Jack should open a restaurant."

  Jake chuckled and resumed eating.

  After they finished, Jake helped her over to the couch to get comfortable. "Be right back!" Soon, popcorn was popping in the microwave, and he cut them each a cinnamon roll. He gathered their drinks and carried them over, setting them on the coffee table. Next, he found a bowl, poured the popcorn in, and grabbed the two cinnamon rolls, placing them on one arm like a waiter.

  Stephanie watched him where from she leaned back on the arm of the couch with a blanket over her legs. "Where did you learn to do that?"

  He spread out all the food in front of them. "I waited some tables in college." He sat down and gently lifted her legs onto his lap. "This hurt?"

  "No. I'm all right."

  "Good, now what movie do you want to watch?" He handed her the controller. "Lady's choice."

  Stephanie looked at the candles and the bowl of popcorn, then at the controller in her hand. "Are you doing what I told you I wanted to do?" She looked at his face, and he was looking at her so warmly. "Before? My dreams?"

  "Yeah."

  "Why?" she whispered. "I don't understand."

  "Look, I love you. I have loved you a lot longer than I would admit to myself. I messed up years ago. I'm not doing that again. I'm going to spend the rest of my life making up for lost time, starting with doing things you want to do."

  "Jake."

  He grasped her hand as tears ran down her cheeks. "I do have one question for you."

  "You do?" she whispered. Was this happening right now? Butterflies flitted around her stomach.

  He smiled at her, and damn it, his eyes were watery too. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. Stephanie gasped and covered her mouth with a shaky hand. "Stephanie Nicole Waterford. Will you let me make all your dreams come true? Will you make my dreams come true and marry me?"