Flo shook her head. “Nope. I want her to know who it was that saved her. You’ve been her guardian angel. I won’t ever forget that.”
He could only nod, the words he might have said piling up behind the lump in his throat. His nose started to burn and he hastily wiped his eyes before anyone could see his tears fall. If he had to say goodbye, at least the baby would have something to remember him by.
“That’s a beautiful name,” Darcy said, her voice a little wobbly. “Very fitting.”
Flo smiled down at her daughter, her adoration for the infant plain to see. Then she frowned and glanced up again. “I almost forgot to ask—why is she in the hospital? Is she okay?”
Darcy nodded. “She had a slight fever so we brought her in as a precaution.”
“But she’s fine now?”
“I think so, yes.”
Ridge cleared his throat, feeling sufficiently recovered now that he was no longer the focus of attention. “How did you know she was here?”
“I’ve been checking up on her every so often. Just enough to know she was okay. I saw you load her in the truck, and heard something about a hospital.” She lifted one shoulder in a casual shrug. “So I walked up here and stole a pair of scrubs and waited until she was alone.”
“You walked here from my cabin?” Ridge was incredulous. It was a wonder she’d made it, with the roads and trails having been damaged by the recent storms.
She shot him a grin. “Took me forever, but I made it.”
“Have you had anything to eat today?” Darcy asked.
Flo shook her head. “I was too focused on getting back to my baby.”
“I’ll have the cafeteria send up some food for you,” Darcy said. “You look like you haven’t eaten in a while. And I’d also like to examine you, if that’s all right.”
The girl’s expression turned wary and a hint of suspicion crept into her voice. “Why?”
“Because you’ve just given birth,” Darcy explained gently. “I’d like to make sure you’re okay, since you didn’t receive any medical care.”
“Is it going to hurt?”
Darcy shook her head. “It shouldn’t, no. Besides,” she added, smiling, “you gave birth alone, with no medication. If you can handle that, you can handle pretty much anything else.”
Flo nodded. “I guess you’re right. But...” She trailed off and glanced furtively at Ridge, the tips of her ears going pink.
Recognizing his cue, he pushed himself out of the chair. “I’ll be outside,” he said. Before he could think better of it, he limped over and pressed a kiss to Sara’s forehead, taking one last whiff of that sweet baby scent.
“Goodbye, little one,” he whispered.
Then he turned and walked away, his heart cracking a little with every step.
CHAPTER 14
She found him in an empty room down the hall, sitting in the chair and staring out the window. Penny sat next to him, and she lifted her head and woofed quietly in acknowledgment when Darcy walked in. Ridge didn’t turn to face her, but she could tell he knew she was there by the way his shoulders stiffened slightly.
“How are you doing?” she asked. When he didn’t respond, she paused, searching for something else to say. “Flo’s exam went well. She doesn’t appear to have suffered any lasting physical damage from giving birth alone.”
Ridge still didn’t reply.
“Sara’s looking good. I think whatever was causing her fever is long gone, but we’ll keep her a bit longer, just to be on the safe side.”
He nodded.
“Flo hasn’t set her down once. She’s so happy to have her baby back.”
“She’ll be a good mother.” His voice was rough as sandpaper.
“She said you can visit the baby whenever you want.”
“That’s sweet of her.”
“I get the impression she hopes you’ll stay a part of Sara’s life.”
He tilted his head. “It’s a nice thought.”
“I figured you’d be happy about that. Everyone can see how much you bonded with the baby.”
He huffed out a laugh. “It’s that obvious?”
She smiled. “Only if you know what to look for.”
Silence fell in the room again, and in the stillness she could practically feel his pain. It was clear his heart was breaking over the baby, and she wanted so badly to help him hold the pieces of it together. But what could she say to offer him comfort? Words were a poor salve, and she’d never been very eloquent. But she had to try. It killed her to see him suffering like this.
“Her name,” she began tentatively. Ridge tensed, as if bracing himself for a blow. She forged ahead. “You named her after your mother, didn’t you?”
For a long moment, she thought he wouldn’t respond. Then he nodded, once.
“It’s a beautiful tribute,” she said. “I’m glad Flo decided to keep the name.”
“Me, too.” He shifted in the chair but didn’t meet her eyes. “It’s a name that should live on.”
“I always figured you’d have a daughter named Sara one day.” Our daughter, she thought suddenly, her heart tightening.
He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I guess that’s as close as I’ll come.”
Her heart dropped at the finality of his tone. “Maybe not,” she said, trying to keep her voice light. “Anything is possible.”
“I can’t give you what you want.”
Darcy’s gut twisted, and she swallowed hard to keep from throwing up. “What do you mean?”
Ridge turned to face her then, his eyes dark twin pools of sadness. “We can’t be together. Your place is in New York. Mine is here. I can’t go there with you, and I’m not going to ask you to stay here with me.”
“But—” How to explain she was having second thoughts about New York? That she was more interested in staying here and seeing where things led with him?
He shook his head. “Don’t make this harder than it already is, Darcy. We had our chance. There’s no point in trying to repeat history. Let’s just move on.”
“Ridge—”
“I’m sorry. I know that’s not the answer you wanted to hear. But I think it’s for the best.”
Her temper spiked and she gave up trying to be polite. “Will you stop interrupting me!”
He leaned back and blinked, clearly surprised by her outburst. “Ah, okay,” he said, his tone the verbal equivalent of a man holding a ticking bomb. “I’m sorry.”
“There’s something you need to know. About that job in New York.”
Ridge’s brows drew together. “What’s that?”
Darcy took a deep breath, feeling as though she was about to step off a cliff. “I’m thinking a lot about quitting.”
His face went blank with shock. “What? Why on earth...”
She held up a hand to halt his questions. “I’m starting to realize there’s more to life than my career. And if I’m going to have a shot at any kind of personal life, I want it to be with you.”
Ridge opened his mouth so she forged ahead, needing to get it all out before he spoke. “You said we didn’t have a chance because I was leaving for New York and you were staying here. But what if I stayed in Granite Gulch? What if there was no distance between us? Would that make a difference to you?”
* * *
Ridge couldn’t believe his ears.
Was Darcy really offering to stay in Granite Gulch? Did she truly mean to quit her big-city job and stay in this small Texas town?
She certainly looked and sounded sincere about it. Her big brown eyes were clear, with no hint of reservation. But did she really know what she was giving up?
“Are you sure?” The words were no more than a whisper, but she heard them.
&n
bsp; “I am.” Her tone was final and without reservation. “If you tell me we have a chance, I’ll stay here.”
Joy flooded him in a rush, making him feel lighter than air. This was it—their second chance at happiness. He wanted to run down the halls of the hospital, shouting the good news for everyone to hear. But something kept him glued in place. It was everything he’d dared to hope for, but a small, scared part of him was gripped by terror. What if this was too good to be true?
He hated to admit it, but deep inside he was still that scared little boy who had been ripped from his family and sent to live with strangers. While the adult, logical side of his brain scoffed at his insecurities, the small, frightened part of him worried the people he cared about were always one step away from leaving him.
“Ridge?” Darcy’s expression was gradually shifting from optimistic to concerned. “Will you just say something?”
He shook his head, trying to dislodge some words. But his brain and tongue refused to cooperate and he was left dumbfounded, staring at her in slack-jawed amazement.
After a moment, Darcy’s face fell. “Okay,” she said softly. “I see.” She turned away, and Ridge knew with terrible certainty if he let her walk away now, he’d never see her again. The realization was enough to break his paralysis. “Darcy, wait.”
She glanced up, a flicker of hope in her dark brown eyes. “Yes?”
“Please don’t go.”
A smile played at the corner of her mouth. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” She took a step closer and he held out his hands, wanting to draw her near.
He nodded, not trusting his voice.
She took another step, then reached up and cupped the side of his face with her palm. He turned into her touch, savoring the contact between them. “Say it,” she whispered. “I want to hear the words.”
He opened his mouth to do just that, but before he could speak a high-pitched scream split the air.
CHAPTER 15
Ridge scrambled down the hall, ignoring the pain in his knee as he made his way back to the baby’s room. There was no sign of the hospital guard outside the door, but as he got closer, he saw the man lying on the floor just past the bench in the hall.
He hit the door hard with his shoulder, his momentum carrying him into the room several feet. As he skidded to a halt, he saw Flo standing in the corner, clutching the baby to her chest in a mimic of her earlier pose. Dennis advanced on them, his expression murderous.
“You can’t take her,” Flo yelled. “She’s my baby and you can’t have her!”
Dennis didn’t bother to respond. He took a step forward, clearly intent on taking Sara by force.
“Stop,” Ridge commanded.
Dennis paused at the sound of his voice and glanced over, his eyes widening briefly when he saw Ridge. “You’re still around?” he asked snidely. “I thought I put you out of commission.”
“Just leave them alone,” Ridge said, ignoring the other man’s taunts. “It’s over. The police know what you’re trying to do, and they’re looking for you now. You can’t win here.”
Dennis paused, a range of emotions shifting across his face. Then his features set in a mask of determination. “If that’s the case, I guess it doesn’t matter what I do now.” Something glinted in his hand, and Ridge’s gut cramped as he realized Dennis had brought a knife.
Ridge cursed silently, knowing his injured knee put him at a disadvantage. Dennis Hubbard was a man with nothing left to lose, which made him dangerous. Ridge had to find a way to get him out of there, but he couldn’t do anything that would put the baby at risk.
He circled around until he put himself between Dennis and Flo. It wasn’t enough, but at least he could try to block Dennis if he lunged for his daughter and granddaughter.
“You can still run,” he suggested, inching forward. If he could keep Dennis distracted, perhaps he could herd him out the door without the other man realizing what was happening. “The police aren’t here yet.” Hopefully, Darcy is calling them now. “You can make a clean getaway and head out before they find you.”
“Shut up,” Dennis snapped. He craned his neck, trying to catch a glimpse of Flo and Sara, but Ridge moved to block his view at every turn. “Give me the baby, Flo,” he ordered. “It’s for the best.”
“No.” Flo’s voice was strong despite her obvious terror. “She belongs with me.”
“Dammit, girl!” Dennis charged forward, apparently intending to bowl over Ridge so he could get to the baby. But Ridge planted his feet and squared his shoulders, bracing himself for the impact.
Dennis hit him hard and managed to push him back a few inches. Flo screamed, but Ridge couldn’t spare a glance for her. Instead, he wrapped his arms around Dennis and shoved, driving his shoulder into Dennis’s abdomen.
They slipped and slid across the tile floor, each man vying for purchase. Dennis jabbed wildly with his hand, and Ridge grunted as hot, searing stings told him the knife had made contact with his back.
Ridge kept his head down and pushed as hard as he could, throwing all his weight into it. The flat soles of his boots made it hard to gain traction on the waxed tiles, and he churned his legs to maintain his momentum. His foot hit a slick spot on the floor and he lost his balance, sending both him and Dennis sprawling to the ground. There was a sickening thud as Dennis’s head hit the floor, and Ridge felt a spike of pain as his nose made contact with the man’s breastbone.
It took a few seconds for Ridge to realize Dennis had stopped moving. He levered himself off the man, felt hands grabbing at him to help him stand. Dennis moaned but didn’t try to get up. Ridge stared down at him, hesitant to leave in case Dennis was just playing possum. He didn’t seem to be faking, though.
Small red dots appeared on Dennis’s shirt, and Ridge belatedly realized his nose was dripping blood. Not knowing what else to do, he used the sleeve of his shirt to try to staunch the flow. It was probably ruined anyway, thanks to Dennis’s knife.
“Come, sit down.” Darcy put her hand on his arm and gently tugged. “Hospital security is here to take care of Dennis, and the police are on their way. I need to check you out now.”
She guided him to the bed where he sat next to Flo, who was shaking so badly he thought she might drop the baby. Moving slowly so as not to scare her, Ridge put his arm around the girl, drawing her into his side so he could support both her and the baby. She leaned against him with a shuddering sigh, her panting breaths slowly subsiding as the adrenaline left her system.
“I think he was going to kill me,” she whispered.
Sympathy welled up in Ridge’s chest and he gave Flo’s shoulder a squeeze. He knew all too well what it was like to be terrified of a parent. It was a horrible sensation, one no child should ever have to experience.
“He can’t hurt you now.” Ridge leaned back a little so Flo could look past him to see the hospital security officers restrain Dennis. They hauled him into a sitting position and then marched him out the door, supporting him on either side as he stumbled woozily.
“Thank you,” she said, her eyes bright with tears.
“No thanks required,” he said gruffly, breathing in with a hiss as Darcy probed one of the cuts on his back.
Flo’s eyes widened. “You’re hurt! Oh my God, is it serious?”
“I’m fine,” he said. Darcy huffed behind him, so he said it again, this time with a little more steel in his voice. The last thing he wanted was for Flo to get even more upset. She needed to stay calm for Sara’s sake.
“Is it really that hard to stay out of trouble?”
Ridge glanced over his shoulder to see Sam standing in the doorway wearing a bemused expression. Ridge shook his head. “I was just doing the job you gave me,” he reminded his brother. “It’s not my fault you missed all the action.”
“I wouldn’t say that.” Sam walked around the bed to face Ridge and offered Flo a kind smile. “You must be the baby’s mother.”
She leaned ever so subtly into Ridge’s side and nodded. “Yes. Sara is my daughter.”
Sam’s face went blank as the name registered. For the barest second, Ridge saw the hint of pain in his brother’s eyes. Then he blinked, and the emotion was gone. “That’s a lovely name,” Sam murmured, glancing at Ridge, who nodded.
“Well.” Sam rocked back on his heels and hooked his thumbs into his belt. “While you were busy here, we searched the house.”
“Find anything?” Ridge bit his lip as Darcy found an especially sensitive cut.
Sam nodded, then looked at Flo. “It looks like your father was going to sell the baby on the black market. We found a list of names and phone numbers for some of his contacts. Some of the numbers are out of state, so we’ve brought in the FBI to help in the investigation.”
Flo shook her head sadly. “I can’t believe my own father wanted to sell my baby.”
“People will do almost anything for money,” Sam replied gently. “But the most important thing is that both you and the baby are safe now. You don’t have to worry about anyone trying to steal her from you again.”
Darcy tugged the back of Ridge’s shirt down, signaling an end to her exam. “You’re going to need stitches on some of these,” she said. “Let’s go into the next room and I’ll get a suture kit.”
Flo stiffened against his side. “I won’t be far,” he told her. “And Sam will stay here with you and Sara. You really are safe now.” But it was probably going to take a while before she believed it.
She eyed Sam shyly and nodded. Apparently sensing her hesitation, Sam stepped closer and made cooing noises at Sara. The baby focused on him with surprising intensity, her forehead wrinkling as she stared up at him.
Ridge used the distraction to slide off the bed, and Sam effortlessly took his place, keeping his focus on the baby. Satisfied the girls were taken care of, Ridge hobbled out of the room and into the next one, letting out a sigh as he climbed onto the hospital bed.
Harlequin Romantic Suspense March 2016 Box Set Page 40
