Single Dad’s Mistake

by Destiny, Sam

  “Knoxley Dyer? Knox?”

  Hours had passed without news and I was a mess. I felt as if the universe had punished me for something. So when a woman called my name, my gaze shot up and I stood.

  It had to be Tanya, Sarah’s sister. They had the same blonde waves, the same dark eyes, and although Sarah was more lithe, Tanya was still beautiful—even with puffy eyes.

  “Yes?” I had no idea how she knew my name, but when she ran into my arms, I didn’t hesitate to squeeze her tightly.

  “I’m Tanya,” she whispered as I kissed the top of her head.

  I smiled. “I know. It couldn’t be more obvious.” I waited for more of her family to come, but when no one else appeared, I pulled back. “Where’s the rest of your family?”

  She wiped at her tears. I led her to a seat and crouched in front of her. “Sarah called me, obviously in pain. She cried, told me she loved me, and that she shouldn’t have been a bitch and should’ve forgiven you right away. She talked so fast through the pain, I had a hard time understanding her. I drove straight to the airport and caught a flight out right away. I had to bribe the stewardess to let me on, because they had already closed the jetway, but I think she took pity on my emotional state.” She shrugged and rubbed her palms across her face. “If she dies, Knox…”

  I shook my head, surprised that she talked to me as if she knew all about me, like we’d met a hundred times before. “She won’t. She can’t,” I explained, knowing what I wanted to happen would in no way influence what was going to happen.

  “His fiancée is a strong one. She’ll be okay,” Denton stated and I cringed inwardly, but Tanya only smiled.

  “No doubt. I—”

  She stopped and jumped up as a surgeon stepped into the waiting area.

  “Sarah Burke’s family?” he asked and everybody gathered around. His eyes widened in surprise and he cleared his throat as Tanya grabbed my hand and pulled me to the front.

  “I’m Tanya Burke, Sarah’s sister, and this is her fiancé, Knoxley Dyer. What’s going on?”

  The doctor sighed and gave us a cautious smile. “The knife nicked a few organs, but when she was brought in, there was still no internal bleeding. We had hoped as long as she was still, nothing would rupture and she’d be out of the danger zone in a few days, which was why we sedated her. However, it seemed the cuts were too deep and her body couldn’t cope with the pressure, so she collapsed and we had to act immediately. She’s stable now, but in a drug-induced coma. We can’t be sure what lasting damage she will have until we bring her out of it. She lost a lot of blood.”

  “Will she be able to return to the force?” Tanya asked.

  The surgeon shrugged. “A lot of that depends on her psychological state, but as it is right now, we need to wait until she wakes up. Then I can tell you more. If you want, I can allow one person to see her.”

  “Yes.” Tanya stepped forward. I squeezed her hand.

  “Tell her I’m here,” I pleaded.

  Tanya nodded. “Will do, Knox.”

  She left with the doctor and I turned back to the rest of the group. “Maybe you all should go home. You have shifts to work tomorrow, and Sarah wouldn’t be happy knowing you’d be working while exhausted. I’ll keep Dave updated, and the moment she’s awake, I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you all.” I didn’t know why I felt the need to act as if I were anyone to Sarah, but they all thought I was her fiancé.

  A lot of guys stepped forward, muttering words of encouragement before leaving, but I didn’t hear half of them. Mitch walked over and hugged me, even while calling me an asshole, then she, too, left, but I had no doubt she’d be with me in the waiting room more often than not.

  I couldn’t help but wonder what Tanya saw lying in the hospital bed, if Sarah looked like a ghost.

  God, I just wanted to be in that room and see her for myself, see her breathing, her chest lifting, even if it was a machine helping her do that.

  Dave stepped up to me. “I’m gonna take your son home, Knox. I hate to say it, but you cannot stay here all the time. He’s enough trouble as it is, and—”

  “I can take care of myself, Dad. I promise. I’ll unpack, too, and be right home after school. Just call me when there’s an update on Sarah, okay? I need to know. And I’m sorry. Please tell her that.”

  I stared at Callum, feeling as if I were seeing him for the first time. He kept calling me dad, he was quiet, obviously determined to be good. Maybe this really had changed his attitude.

  I drew him in and hugged him tightly. “I’ll be home soon. Sleep, go to school, and when you come home tomorrow afternoon, I’ll be there.” I didn’t want to be, but he was my family. As long as Sarah was comatose, I wouldn’t get a chance to be with her anyway.

  “I love you, Dad. I never meant to hurt you.” He choked out a sob, so I playfully punched his shoulder.

  “Go home. We’re good, son. I’ll order pizza tomorrow because I don’t think our fridge offers much more.”

  “No pizza without Sarah,” Callum muttered, swallowing hard.

  “Chinese then. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  He nodded and trotted toward the exit. Dave smiled, handing me his card. “You can call me any time, okay? I’ll drop him off and check to make sure he went to school in the morning.”

  I watched my son walk out, then shook my head. “No need to. I know he’ll go. But thank you. For everything.” He nodded and left.

  The waiting room seemed weirdly silent. Not that anyone had spoken before, but there were still constant noises in a room filled with people—sighs, heavy breaths, occasional sobs. I didn’t know when Denton and his wife had left, and I couldn’t exactly say that I cared.

  “Knox?”

  I spun, finding Tanya standing behind me. She was paler than she’d been when she got here, so I walked up and wrapped my arms around her. She embraced me, hiding her head against my chest. She was smaller than Sarah, but not by much.

  “I have her keys. I’m gonna go pick up a change of clothes for her. Would you sit with her until I get back? Seems because she’s a police officer, they put her in a single room. Or maybe her sergeant told them to. Either way, I’m grateful for it. I’m also glad you’re here. It means a lot to me, and I know it does to her, too.” She licked her lips. “Word of warning, Knox. She looks terrible. They clearly had to draw blood and tried a few times. She has bruises all over her arms and the back of her hands. I didn’t get a chance to ask the doc, but I will if I see him. I’ll be back in a bit. Do you need me to pick up anything?”

  “Everything I need is in that hospital room, Tanya, but thank you.”

  She touched my arm, her smile soft. “Down the hall, fifth door on the left.”

  I watched her leave, then walked down the hall. My legs were anything but steady, and my heart wanted to jump out of my chest and run ahead. I still told myself to go slow and steady. Rushing wouldn’t change a thing.

  Frankly, neither did walking slowly.

  When I entered the room and closed the door behind me, I turned to Sarah’s bed.

  She looked pasty and small underneath the sheets, but all I cared about was that she was breathing. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

  I walked over to the side of the bed, seeing the bruises Tanya had mentioned, each one looking more painful than the next. I ghosted my fingertips along her skin before leaning down to kiss her forehead.

  I couldn’t lose her. Not now, not anytime soon.

  Hell, not ever.

  “I cannot believe my family put you in this position. You wouldn’t have been anywhere near that scene if Callum hadn’t kissed you. And he wouldn’t have if you hadn’t met me. This is my fault. God, Sarah, how is it possible fate punished you with me?”

  My voice cracked as I rested my forehead against hers. It was uncomfortable, but I didn’t dare move. The strain in my back reminded me this was real, not some horrible dream. I framed her face and pressed another kiss to her forehead, noticing wetness on
her cheeks. I touched my own and realized tears were rolling down my face.

  I couldn’t remember the last time I’d cried, yet now that I’d started, there was no way I could stop.

  Especially because Sarah wasn’t reacting to anything, her body still, eyes closed, beautiful lips unsmiling.

  I carefully sat on the bed next to her, brushing my fingertips over her forehead as I pleaded for her to come back to me. I didn’t move until Tanya returned, a nurse reminding us that only one person was allowed to be in the room at a time.

  I went back to the waiting room. Until I had to go back home tomorrow afternoon, I wouldn’t be any farther away from Sarah than I had to be.

  SARAH

  Voices woke me from a deep slumber. I was sure I’d been sleeping, yet I didn’t feel rested at all.

  I tried to swallow, but something was choking me. When I started coughing, I opened my eyes, seeing nothing but white walls—and my sister.

  “Easy, Sarah,” Tanya muttered, rushing to my side instantly. “Someone get a nurse!”

  Nurse?

  I tried to whisper her name around whatever was in my mouth, but I only choked again. An elderly woman came in, giving me a soft smile and placing her hand on my shoulder.

  “Now, breathe easy. Welcome back, Officer Burke. Try breathing through your nose. I’m going to take your breathing tube out.”

  I tried, but panic clawed at me until, suddenly, my neck felt better as she pulled the tube out. I coughed more, pain lacing every single breath I took. When someone held out a glass of water with a straw, I took a few eager sips only to have it withdrawn again.

  “Slow, Sarah. You need to give your body a moment to get used to it,” Tanya explained, then my mom stepped up to my bed.

  I knew I was in a hospital, but I had no idea why. I remembered talking to Knox, wanting to tell him I’d love to see him, but then… Nothing.

  “What’s going on?” I rasped out, trying to sit up. Agony instantly raced through my veins, bright and hot. I cried out as hands pushed me back into the mattress.

  “Stay still, Sarah. You’ve been stabbed, then had major surgery. Please, just stay still,” Mom pleaded. I stared at the ceiling, breathing through the pain until it was bearable, then I looked at my family again.

  Mom looked pale, her eyes red-rimmed, Dad looked exhausted, and Tanya had dark circles under her eyes, as if she hadn’t slept in weeks.

  “Stabbed?” I whispered.

  They all nodded. I closed my eyes, rubbing my temples. What happened after I’d talked to Knox?

  I tried to grasp the thoughts bouncing around in my mind, but they seemed to be hazy, out of reach—until one settled in.

  The fight and Callum.

  “Is Callum okay?” I needed to get out of bed and find him. “I couldn’t stand after that punk sliced me open. I couldn’t protect him anymore.” I grabbed Tanya’s hand. “Please, tell me Callum is okay. Give me my phone. I need to call Knox. I need to… I…” Jesus, he’d be a mess if his son were hurt.

  I heard my heart monitor going wild, but I didn’t care. I needed to know they were okay, both of them. I needed to see them.

  “Sarah, calm down.” My sister cupped my cheeks, but I just shook my head.

  “I cannot calm down.” A tear slipped down my cheek. “If his son is injured… You don’t understand, Tanya. Just give me my damn phone. I’ll talk to Knox, then calm down.”

  “You don’t need a phone for that,” came a deep voice from the door.

  I looked up, spotting Knox coming in behind my father. I grabbed the IV in my arm and pulled it out, ignoring the pain. I needed to be in Knox’s arms.

  “Sarah,” a chorus of voices called, but I was focused on the guy standing by the door, as if unsure of what I needed.

  When I tried to get to my feet, he rushed forward, catching me as I stumbled.

  “I tried, Knox. I swear. I tried my best to protect him, but—”

  “He’s fine, Sarah. You saved his life,” Knox whispered, and relief made my shoulders sag. Callum was okay. “He’s been worried about you, though, and he wants you to heal soon so you can bring over pizza.”

  I cuddled into him. I didn’t care that my family was watching, or that I hadn’t seen them in a long time. I needed Knox to comfort me.

  “Sarah,” my mother started, but Tanya interrupted her.

  “Let’s go find some coffee and donuts for our police officer. We’ll be right back, sis.” She winked and grabbed my parents’ arms, pulling them out the door while Knox settled me back onto the bed.

  I stared at him, taking in his scruff and blue eyes, and couldn’t remember ever having seen anything as beautiful as him.

  “You’re here,” I whispered, and he nodded.

  “Always,” he replied.

  * * *

  KNOX

  I couldn’t believe that her first thought had been of Callum and me. She was lying in a hospital bed, just having woken from a coma, and had worried about us instead of herself.

  She brushed her fingertips across the scruff on my cheeks, and I caught her hand, kissing her palm.

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered.

  She smiled. “I want that steak with you, Knox. One, then another one, maybe one more after that,” she stated, then her face fell. “I mean, unless you’re here because you feel guilty I got stabbed, then I’d be… You know, I’m a police officer, so it’s my job to save people and—”

  I placed my index finger on her lips, stopping her tirade. “I’ve been here ever since you were brought in. I came every day. There was never a doubt in my mind that I belonged here because I needed to be close to you. I’d hoped you’d realize I was here and would understand how much I regret having been an ass. Also…” I cleared my throat. “Maybe a doctor should tell you this, but…” I sighed. “Sarah, you won’t be able to have children.”

  The doctor had explained that the internal injuries had been severe. We all knew what that meant, even without him saying the words.

  To my surprise, Sarah’s lips pulled into a small smile. “During Penny’s birth, they discovered I had cysts in my ovaries. Two cysts burst, so they removed my ovaries completely. I nearly died that day. If that stab wound caused damage to my uterus, well… I don’t really need it anymore anyway.”

  She was playing it cool, but hearing that, it made sense that she’d help other women out with their infants. Still, I hurt for her so much, I wanted to cry.

  Penny’s death became more tragic now. No wonder she’d stayed away from people and happiness for a while. I was glad I had been an exception.

  “I’m okay, Knox. I made my peace with it,” she assured me, framing my face with her hands.

  “Can’t I still hurt for you?” I asked, almost pouting. She chuckled, wincing.

  “So, about those steaks…”

  “I love you, Sarah. I knew that before you were even hurt, but sitting in that waiting room every day, hoping they’d tell me you were finally awake, I realized I needed you. The few days you’ve been in my life, even when we were just talking on the phone, I realized I felt exactly the way I’d thought I would when moving to Eden. I felt like I was home. You make that possible.”

  I pressed my lips to hers briefly, knowing her family would be returning soon, and also that her doctors would come in to check her over. Pulling back, I saw the spot she had ripped out her IV was bleeding, and I knew she had lost enough blood to last a lifetime.

  “I love you, too, Knox. Tell Lanky I’m glad he’s okay.”

  I sobered. “He was terrified, Sarah. He thought he’d practically killed you. I’ll bring him over tomorrow after school, okay? He’ll be glad to see you.”

  She shifted, confusion on her face. “Can’t he just come over now? There’s a bus going right to the hospital from—”

  I interrupted her. “You’re in Ashton, Sar,” I whispered, and her jaw dropped.

  “How serious was I? How long was I out?”

  Hadn’t I ment
ioned that earlier? I wasn’t sure anymore. “Ten days, sweetheart. You were in a coma.”

  What little color she had gotten back vanished again as she stared at me.

  “What? It wasn’t that bad. I feel okay. Tired, but okay. It was just a knife wound. I—”

  “Shh,” I whispered, grabbing her hands and kissing her fingertips. “You’re okay now. Are you in pain?”

  “She’s heavily medicated, Mr. Dyer, so she probably isn’t. Officer Burke, we’re glad to see you awake.”

  When I saw a doctor walk through the door, I stood from the bed, even though Sarah kept holding onto me.

  “Stay,” she begged, but I shook my head.

  “I’ll be around the corner. I need to check in with Cal and tell him the good news.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead, then left the room, seeing her family standing in front of the door.

  Tanya knew about me because she and Sarah had spoken on the phone quite a lot, but her parents had been caught off-guard with the news of their daughter having found someone. I wasn’t sure they trusted me, but even their dark looks hadn’t been able to keep me from Sarah.

  It hadn’t helped that they’d found out their daughter had stepped in to save my son.

  “The first clear thoughts she had were for you and your son,” Mr. Burke stated. I nodded.

  “I told you Sarah loves him, Dad. Yes, I know he’s not good enough for your little girl, but no one will be. Ever. I agree. However, he’s decent enough when he’s not being an ass.”

  “Tanya,” Mrs. Burke scolded, and Tanya winked at me.

  “It’s true. Sarah is unlike any woman I’ve ever met, yet I’m clearly lucky enough to have her like me. I promise, I’ll make her happy. Listen, I think you should go back in. I’ll be in the waiting area. I need to call my son.”

  They all watched me for a long moment, then her dad clasped my shoulder. “We’ll be here. Take care of your family.”

  I intended to do just that, and Sarah would be part of that one day soon, too.

  KNOX – TWO YEARS LATER

  “Mom!”

  Sarah rolled her eyes, then grinned as tears welled up. “What’s up, Lanky?” She tried to hide the pain in her voice, but I knew Callum would’ve heard it. He came in a second later.