by Wendy Smith
In the past few days, they’ve both become completely besotted by her. Somehow, I have to convince them to leave things be and not harass Brooke for contact. She was so scared I was out to take Kaia away when I first came back into her life. If Dad pushes her too hard, I risk becoming the very thing that scares her the most.
“Daddy!” Kaia grabs my hand when I get to the table.
“Everything okay?” Dad asks.
“Brooke’s awake.”
He gives me such a warm smile. It’s been years since I’ve seen anything so genuine from him. “That’s wonderful. We’re just about finished, so take Kaia and we’ll be right behind you.”
I nod. “There’s one problem.”
Mom’s eyes fill with concern. “What is it?”
“Brooke doesn’t seem to remember the past few weeks. She’s agitated and stressed about Kaia being with you.” I sigh. “And about me.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that. Does the doctor know how long it’ll take for her memory to come back?” Dad asks.
I shake my head. “I don’t know. He’s in there examining her, but she asked for Kaia.” I swallow, hard. “Right now I think we need to go with whatever she wants. Even if it means we don’t get to see Kaia for a while.”
“I’m not sure if this is a conversation we should be having in front of her,” Mom says. She hands Kaia a cookie, and Kaia grabs it eagerly.
“Me either. But I’m about to take Kaia to see her mother, and I need you to know this before you see Brooke.”
Dad nods. “Makes sense. If she’s agitated about you, seeing me isn’t going to be pleasant.”
“Apologize to her, Dad. Make her know you’ll do right by her.”
“I’ll try my best.” He focuses his gaze on Kaia. “Brooke’s recovery is the most important thing right now, and whatever her and Kaia need, they’ve got it.”
“Thanks.”
I walk away with Kaia, but I don’t miss Mom’s words.
“Apologize for what?”
Kaia runs toward the bed. The joy on Brooke’s face lights up the room.
“Mommy!” Kaia runs to the side of the bed before seeming to realize that she can’t climb up herself. “Daddy, can you help me?”
“Daddy?” Brooke whispers.
I pick Kaia up and place her on the bed beside Brooke.
Brooke closes her eyes as she wraps her arms around Kaia. “Oh, baby girl.”
“You woke up,” Kaia says.
Brooke lets her go and smiles. “I did. I’m so glad you’re here.”
“I was having lunch with Grandpa and Grandma.”
Brooke shifts her gaze to me. “So I heard.”
“When can we go home?” Kaia asks.
I move a little closer. “What did the doctor say?”
“I’ll be in here for a couple more days for observation, and then I can go. Do you know where my phone is?”
“It’s over here in the cabinet. Want it?”
“Yeah. I’ll need to call Rosalyn to see if she can take Kaia. Who’s been looking after her?”
“Mom and Dad won’t mind looking after her for a couple more days. She spent the last two nights in their hotel room.”
Anger crosses Brooke’s expression. “How could you let your father anywhere near her? She’s mine.”
“I know she is. You don’t have to worry.”
“It’s bad enough that you’re here. This whole thing must be confusing for Kaia.”
My chest feels like I’ve been stabbed a bunch of times. “What’s probably confusing her is you acting like this. We’ve been a family again these past few weeks, and that’s what she’s used to.”
Her mouth falls open. “No. We can’t have been.”
“Mommy, you’re holding me too tight.”
Brooke seems to take a deep breath as she smiles at Kaia. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m just so happy to see you again.”
“Daddy and me were waiting for you to wake up. It took a long time.”
“Were you?” Brooke strokes Kaia’s face. “Well, I’m awake now, and we can go home in a couple of days.”
“Can I stay with Grandma and Grandpa? They have a small house, but the bed’s so soft.”
I chuckle. “That’s not their house, sweetheart. They don’t live here. It’s a motel room.”
Kaia purses her lips as she stares at me.
“Their house is a lot bigger,” I say.
“Can we go there?”
I meet Brooke’s gaze. “Not yet. One day, maybe we’ll make the trip. The three of us.”
Brooke bristles at my words. I suspect she’s holding a lot in because Kaia’s here.
“I want Kaia to stay here as long as she can. If not Rosalyn, can you please take care of her for the night?” Brooke asks.
“Mom and Dad will be here—”
“Not them. You.”
I nod. “Of course.”
Mom arrives first. She smiles at Brooke, and approaches the bed. “I’m so glad to see you’re awake, sweetheart. Cole has been beside himself.”
Brooke’s smile seems fake. “Thank you for looking after Kaia.”
Mom’s expression tightens. “Jensen’s told me what he did after Cole left. I didn’t know. Whatever you decide to do, just know that I’ve missed you.”
Brooke tears up. “Thank you.”
“Hi.” Dad arrives at the door, taking a step through.
“Get out of my room.” Brooke’s tone is so angry. I hate this, but I understand.
To Dad’s credit, he nods and backs away. “If you need anything, you only have to ask,” he says.
“I don’t want anything from you.”
He holds up his palms. “Your medical bills are all paid. I don’t want you and Kaia to go without. And I’ll need your bank account details as I’ve got a large sum of money to pay to you.” He pauses. “I’m sorry, Brooke. For everything.”
“I’ve got her account details, Dad,” I say.
He nods. Taking one last step, he closes the door, and Brooke lets out a loud breath.
“We’ll be having words when we get home. That’s when I’ve decided to speak to him again.” My mother’s tone is clipped. She leans over and kisses Brooke on the cheek. “I know Jensen said it already, but please let me know if there’s anything we can do. I’d like to stay, but I can see that we need to give you time and space.”
She cups Brooke’s cheek. “Kaia is so much like you. She’s such a delight, and you can be so proud of that.”
Brooke nods. “I am.”
“I’ll talk to you later.” Mom rounds the bed and hugs me tight. “I’m so sorry for everything.”
I can’t say anything more so I nod, and plant a kiss on her forehead. “Thanks for everything, Mom.”
“You’re welcome. Bye, Kaia.”
Kaia waves, and the three of us are left.
“You okay?” I ask Brooke.
“My ex-husband who broke my heart is here, and his father who hates me suddenly wants to be my friend? No, I’m not okay.”
She looks at Kaia. Kaia’s lying beside her, one arm over her mother. I’m not sure if they’ll let both of us stay the night, but I’ll fight for it if I have to.
“Can we at least put aside any differences we have while you’re in the hospital? Let me do what I can to help.”
“I’m not sure I have a choice.”
Licking my lips, I take a step closer to the bed. “I know you don’t remember, but I love you. And I’ll do whatever you need to help you recover.”
Her eyes grow so sad. “Something happened, didn’t it? Something big that I don’t remember.”
I nod. “We really have been all but living together these past few weeks.”
Brooke sniffs, and her eyes fill with tears again. “I can’t remember any of it.”
“The police will want to talk to you.” I lick my lips. “The woman who hit you saw someone behind you. They ran off.”
She lets out a loud breath. “I j
ust want to get home with Kaia.”
I nod. “I know. And you will.”
My heart cracks as I look at her. Maybe she’ll let me take care of Kaia until she’s out of hospital, but there’s no way she’s just going to let me back in.
I’m back at square one.
I’ve lost her.
Also by Wendy Smith
Writing as Wendy Smith
Coming Home
Doctor’s Orders
Baker’s Dozen
Hunter’s Mark
Coming 2018 Teacher’s Pet
* * *
Fall and Rise Duet
Falling
Rising
* * *
Writing as Ariadne Wayne
The Friends Series
Loving Rowan
Three Days
Something Real
The Right One
Unexpected
* * *
Chances Series
Another Chance
Taking Chances
* * *
Lifetime Series
In a Lifetime
In an Instant
In a Heartbeat
In the End
* * *
Lifetime novella series
At the Start
Coming 2018 In the Middle
Coming 2018 At the Finish
About the Author
Wendy Smith published as Ariadne Wayne for three years before deciding she didn’t want to be someone else all the time. Heavily influenced by stories in the media, she decided to try something new, and the Copper Creek series was born. With lots of love and a touch of darkness, her stories will twist their way into your heart.
Find me online
www.authorwendysmith.com
[email protected]
