Black Hills Forever

by A. C. Wilson

  “You can’t leave me.” The command she knew was coming, but hoping he could back it up. Alone the words sounded weak and pleading.

  “I can.” Lacey shifted in the chair, feeling peculiar to say the least. “I know what Rip meant to you and I’m sorry for what happened. The drinking and anger has to stop or you’ll lose me too.” She stared into his blue eyes and saw the fear clouded by the hangover.

  “I know. It will. Please don’t leave me.” He went to his knees in front of the chair. His hands clasped together and his face contorted in contrition. Lacey felt a sharp burst of pain. Her eyes widened as she sucked a hiss through her teeth.

  “I have to go…,” Lacey began as her eyes watered. Travis looked like he might cry as well.

  “No, please.” Travis took her hand as she began to stand up. Lacey shook her head.

  “No, we need to go to the hospital. Now!” She gripped his hand so hard that she thought she might break it. Her hungover husband was getting the picture quickly now.

  Their world was about to change drastically. A tiny bundle of pink was cradled in her father’s arms. Lacey was tired, but content as she lay back against the pillows of her bed. It was just the three of them for the moment. Travis had called her parents as they were getting her into the delivery room. The nurse hadn’t brought them inside yet. It was blissfully quiet compared to the last few hours. First it was yelling at Travis and then it was yelling for him. Her throated ached in remembrance.

  “Can you believe this little girl? She’s as pretty as her mama.” Travis smiled, casting a look in Lacey’s direction. They hadn’t quiet made up yet from this morning, but some things just have to be put on hold.

  “She’s stubborn like her father. Although I can’t fault her sense of timing.” Lacey said as she adjusted her blanket over her legs. It hadn’t needed smoothing, but it was something to do.

  “That she does.” Travis turned his gaze back to their tiny daughter who was waving her fist around. Her father chuckled.

  “She’s going to need a name.” Lacey ventured, finding none of her choices fitting for their girl now. It was tough to admit that Grace or Lily didn’t quiet suit the little bundle of trouble. Deep down in her gut, Lacey knew this girl would be strong-willed and rebellious.

  “Sonora.”

  The way her husband’s voice caressed the name made Lacey instantly take notice. Saying it over in her mind and then out loud, she liked it.

  “Nora, for short. Sonora Johnson.”

  There it was. A name that fit the child so well that it was almost as if it were a divine gift. Dark hair and blue eyes would give the name even more character. Lacey smiled softly.

  “I love you, Lacey. I’m sorry about before. It won’t happen again.” His apology was real and so was his sadness. She could feel it as if it blossomed in her own breast too. He moved toward the bed and lifted his hand out. She took it and squeezed it.

  “I never wanted you to leave. You just needed to be reminded what was most important.” She watched his understanding form and he nodded. “I love you too.”

  The breaking of her voice could have been from all the screaming and shouting, but she knew better. She loved this man to pieces and now they had their daughter as well. She was a gift as was their love. That was what was most important.

  “Should we let my parents in?” Lacey asked, accepting the wiggly infant.

  “I suppose we should let Grandma and Grandpa meet their granddaughter.” Travis moved towards the door. He paused before he opened it to look back at his wife and child. “I have a feeling she is going to be quite the little rebel.”

  Lacey nodded. “Of that you can be sure.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Andy struggled to get the baby carrier unlatched and out of the Escape before Harper bolted from the vehicle ahead of her.

  “Harper, baby, just give me a second.” Andy huffed as she felt around for the lever that would free Regan’s seat. She thought after the first time around she would be a pro at this, but it wasn’t looking that way. After four months, it was still unclear as to who was winning—her daughters or her.

  “Aunt Nora!” Harper squealed as she slipped out her door and rounded the car. Nora was standing on her front porch with her hand on her stomach. The baby bump was definitely making its debut. The cardigan sweater did little to hide the fact that Nora was almost half way along in her pregnancy.

  “Do you need some help? Hi sweetheart!” Nora called to Andy and then leaned over to hug her niece. Harper brushed Nora’s cheek with her little lips and then darted toward the front door.

  “Dora! Dora! Dora!” Harper’s shrill little voice made both mother and aunt shake their heads. Andy groaned and Nora chuckled.

  “I thought it was Sofia the First.” Nora asked, waiting for Andy to come up the front walk.

  “It was until last month. Now all she wants to watch is Dora the Explorer. She can count to five in Spanish already.”

  “My goodness! Smart girl.” Nora opened the front door wider to allow Andy and the car seat entry.

  “Sometimes too smart for her own good.” Andy mumbled and it made Nora laugh. Of course her sister-in-law knew what she was talking about. She had a son several years older. Drew was going to be a great big brother.

  “I can’t wait until we can have two-sided play dates.” Nora rubbed a hand over her tummy and smiled. Andy busied herself with getting little Regan out of the seat. Arms and legs were starting to thrash about and soon after it would be a tantrum to make everyone’s head split.

  “I’m just glad that Regan lets me sleep half the night now before she wakes up. Getting up every two hours was starting to wear me out.” Andy groaned as she lifted Regan out and took her little snow cap off. The little pink hat and snow suit was all she owned in pink. For some reason Matt liked purple and blue better.

  “At least neither of us has to do it alone anymore.” Nora smiled and poured a cup of coffee for Andy. She took a bottle of water out of the fridge for herself.

  “No coffee?” Andy asked, doctoring her cup with some sugar. Nora shook her head.

  “It has been making this little one crazy. I’ve had to cut all caffeine out completely. I don’t like it, but I like being a 24/7 punching bag less.”

  “Makes sense.” Andy took a sip of her coffee and checked on Regan on the floor. The little girl had her stuffed rabbit’s ear in her mouth and the rest fisted in her hand. Legs and arms free of the coat, Regan was a happy clam now.

  “I had a talk with Matt last night after they rounded up the bull. It sounds like Garrett is planning a vacation away for him and Rayne.” Andy watched Regan squirm on the carpet. Nora raised a brow when they shared a glance.

  “What is that all about? I can’t believe Garrett would leave while Dad is still in the hospital.” Nora frowned.

  “It’s no secret that their relationship is a little fire and ice. Garrett wants to remind her why they fell in love.”

  Nora looked studious at her water bottle and peeled the label carefully. There were things that had never really been discussed in their family. While it was supposed, it wasn’t solidified in the mind.

  “I’ve noticed the dissention. I think it has more to do with the lack of progress on the family side than whether or not they love one another.” Nora looked decidedly at Andy. The women shared a knowing glance. They hadn’t struggled to conceive as Rayne did. Heck, it was almost too easy to get pregnant and it made them sorry for her all the more.

  “Do you think she is blaming Garrett for them not getting pregnant?” Andy asked, her green eyes rounded with concern. Nora’s lips twitched as she thought, but she shook her head.

  “I know she blames herself. I think she would walk away if she thought it would give Garrett the chance at his own family someday.”

  Neither of them could speak for a few minutes while they thought about the struggles of motherhood. Certainly none of them are easy and it felt wrong to complain when someone else would
gladly trade places. Regan cooed and squeaked on the floor as she clanged two of her brightly colored rings together. Her little arms meeting in front of her blue eyes.

  “I think it would do them good to step away from the daily reminders. Maybe Garrett could talk some sense into Rayne.” Andy sighed, worried about the woman they both considered a sister.

  “My brother will never love anyone else. He fell hard.” Nora’s voice carried in the silence of the room.

  “He must have. Garrett asked Royal to come and take over Rayne’s practice while they were gone.”

  The look of shock on Nora’s face made Andy giggle. She must have had the same look last night when Matt had mentioned it. Of course it was pillow talk, but it was a family matter now.

  “Oh how the mighty have fallen.” Nora shook her head and smiled. “I wonder if they will still get married in December?”

  “I would imagine that depends on their situation and whether Travis is awake or not by then. Rayne told me she was going to ask him to walk her down the aisle.”

  “Dad would have loved that.” Nora’s eyes misted and she blinked quickly. Andy looked at little Regan. So many blessings had come their way. It seemed a shame to take Travis away now.

  “He will love it.” Andy retrieved the little rabbit of Regan’s. The baby snatched it up and snuggled it under her chubby chin. “He will be here. He has too much to do to leave now.”

  ***

  “Have you talked to the doctor yet?” Matt asked as he sailed into the hospital room where his mother was sitting in the chair beside the bed.

  “Good morning to you too.” His mother cocked an eyebrow and stared at her youngest with tired irritation. Matt came to a halt and did his best to look contrite.

  “I’m sorry, Mom.” He offered a weak smile. It was difficult at best to be mad at him and he used it to his full advantage.

  “No, he hasn’t been in to talk to me yet.”

  Matt watched Lacey with adult eyes. She was tired—the dark circles under her eyes spoke eloquently as they confirmed her worry. Her face was thinner than usual and her brilliant blue eyes had dulled. His father’s injury was taking its toll on his mother and it hurt him. Where he should feel compassion, he was starting to feel anger.

  “Mom, I…” Matt was just about to tell her what he was thinking when a quick knock heralded the doctor. His white coat hugged his broad shoulders and dangled to his knees. Dr. Baldwin was well known around their community to be straight-forward and cautious. The balding man was probably in his early sixties and he walked with a slight limp. Dr. Baldwin carried a manila folder on a metal clipboard with some neon sticky tabs attached.

  “Good morning, Mrs. Johnson. How’s our patient looking today?” Dr. Baldwin’s slight drawl heralded his origins from Texas, although the man had been here over thirty years. Matt stepped forward to shake the man’s hand.

  “I’m Matt Johnson. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “I’m glad you are here.”

  Dr. Baldwin’s words instantly flipped Matt’s switch from watchful to high alert. The hospital room was annoyingly quiet as the doctor looked through the chart and then looked over the monitors. His thoughtful expression as well as his furrowed brow made Matt move to stand behind his mother’s chair. Lacey had yet to say anything.

  A few more pages were flipped. The crinkling paper only unsettling Matt more until he was nearly ready to strangle the good doctor. No news was good news, right? He doubted it.

  “What can you tell us, Dr. Baldwin?” Lacey’s overly calm voice asked. Matt heard the stress in it and he squeezed her shoulder in support. He was starting to wish he had brought Garrett and Blake with him. The doctor’s worry looked ominous.

  “Brain trauma can be a tricky thing.” The man looked at his father and shook his own head. “All of his vitals seem good. Occasionally his blood pressure has spiked, but it doesn’t concern me greatly. The medicine keeping him in the coma has been dropped dramatically.”

  “That means my father will wake up soon, is that it?” Matt couldn’t help it. He had to ask.

  “He should wake up soon.” Dr. Baldwin sort of shrugged his shoulders as he sighed. “If it happens, we will be able to understand more about the damage he has sustained.”

  Matt felt a tremor in his mother’s body although she sat as rigidly still as possible. From his vantage point behind her, Matt thought she looked noticeably paler.

  “If?” Lacey’s question was but a squeak. Dr. Baldwin’s eyes lowered fractionally as if searching for the right thing to say. Matt wanted the truth, but he wasn’t sure what his mother could handle at this point.

  “There is a possibility; however small, that Travis may not wake up at all.”

  There it was. The verbal confirmation that not all things could be medically healed. As often as man liked to play God, they were not the Almighty after all.

  “We just need to give it a few more days. These things take time. I’ve consulted on this case with a couple of specialists. They both feel like it is just a matter of time.” Dr. Baldwin didn’t want to alarm them needlessly. Years of treating patients and their families left him cautiously optimistic. Matt understood it. He didn’t like it, but he understood.

  “Dad’s a fighter. He will be okay.” Matt squeezed both of his mother’s shoulders and recognized the rigidity and determination in them. Lacey Johnson was holding it together. Matt would bet that it was for them rather than herself.

  “You’re right, Matt. Thank you, Dr. Baldwin.” Lacey’s voice was tight, but she made sure to offer a smile.

  “If I may offer a bit more advice.” Dr. Baldwin tucked the chart underneath his arm and clasped his hands in front of him. Matt wondered at the impending doom in the pit of his stomach. It bloomed readily.

  “Travis could wake up and be confused. It is totally normal. He might not know where he is, who he is or even who you are. It is alarming, but it isn’t uncommon. That will all right itself in time too.”

  Clearly the conversation hadn’t taken an inspiring turn as his mother had a death grip on his hand. Matt gritted his teeth to keep from telling her to let go. It was frightening to think that Travis Johnson might forget a great many important things. Matt hated that there were no guarantees here. No one had promised that this would be like nothing ever happened.

  “The best thing you can do for your husband now is to get some rest. It will do him no good if you get sick. He will need you when he wakes up.” Dr. Baldwin stepped out the door and into the hallway. He looked back inside. “We will watch him carefully and let you know if anything happens.”

  With that said the man was gone and Matt was left with a fretfully exhausted mother. Lacey just sat in her chair, squeezing his hand until his fingers were numb and staring at his father’s bed. He observed the gradual drip of the fluids in the IV bag. He watched the heart monitor blip across the screen. After ten minutes of processing the news, Matt decided to speak.

  “No one knows for sure what is going to happen, Mom. He’s in God’s hands.” Matt felt his throat constrict at the thought. Lacey let out a huge breath and lowered her head.

  “I know.”

  “Then you also know you are no good to him exhausted. You have to go home and get some rest. You need to eat a proper meal. You need to see your granddaughters.”

  Matt waited for his mother to tear into him and put him in his place. She didn’t often take direction from anyone but his father and sometimes not even then. Stubborn rebellion ran thick in their veins. Still he hoped that she would hear him. Her grip lessened on his hand until she drew her own away.

  “How are those girls?” Lacey asked, her voice cracking.

  “Good. You know it is the first time you’ve asked me about them in a week?” Matt was treading thin ice. He knew it. Lacey got up from her chair, but kept her back to him. Matt could see the tightness of her shoulders and the stiffness of her back. Tension was riding high. She turned her head slowly in his direction. Her blue
eyes cloudy and distant.

  “I’ve been busy. I’ve been here sitting with your father.” Her words were sharp and anger warred with exhaustion. Matt was ready for a battle if that is what it took to show her what she needed to do. He hoped his father had taught him well.

  “You’ve also forgotten about us. We are still with you. Whatever happens here, we still need you.”

  “Don’t tell me what I should be doing, son. Until you know what it is like to see the love of your life lying in a hospital bed and wondering if they’ll live or die, you cannot tell me what I should be doing.”

  Matt shook his head. He wasn’t cowering.

  “But I did have that happen, Mom. Remember? When Andy was hit by that car and she was in the hospital. I thought she was gone. I thought our beautiful Harper would be without a mother. It was awful.” Matt could remember every gut-wrenching memory as if it had only happened yesterday. “You can’t check out. We will always need our mother and it is up to you to lead us now. Lord knows we need it.”

  Lacey ran her fingertips over her forehead and closed her eyes. Matt hated to see her in pain. He was often the voice of reason, but it didn’t usually suck this badly. He felt sick.

  “I don’t know what will happen if something happens to your father.” Lacey’s eyes brimmed with tears and her hand covered her mouth. Matt let out a breath and looked at his father lying there so quietly.

  “There is a plan.” His father’s words applied so many times to instances that required few words. Maybe moments that were too perplexing for regular thought.

  “I hope so.” Lacey sniffed and gathered her things. His mother walked quietly out the door and Matt stopped again at his father’s bedside. Carefully Matt looked around the room and to the door.

  “You better come back to us, Dad. I don’t think Mom will survive if you don’t.”