Her Colorado Wishes [Spirit, Colorado 3] Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting

by Peyton Elizabeth

  “When?”

  Hannah looked over to Austin and knew that he, too, heard the alarm in his brother’s voice. Austin walked over toward the bed, leaning over and grabbing Wyatt’s shirt. He threw it toward his brother.

  “Is he stable? What hospital?”

  Someone was hurt, obviously. Was it a ranch hand? They would want to be there with whoever had the accident. Hannah knew their time had been cut short, so she started to unbutton Austin’s shirt. She made it to the bed before his next statement shocked her into a frozen position.

  “Tell Doc Shep we’ll get her there as fast as we can.”

  Hannah started to shake her head. They were talking about her, which could only mean the phone call was regarding her father. The trembling that had taken up residence in her hands was making it hard for her to finish the job of getting the buttons undone. This wasn’t happening.

  “Hannah, look at me,” Austin ordered, taking a tone so similar to that of Wyatt. Hannah brought her gaze up to meet his, instantly seeing the worry in his brown eyes. “Wyatt is finishing up the call and will let you know what’s going on. Don’t think bad things until we know what’s happening, okay?”

  Hannah couldn’t even nod her head. She let Austin finish taking his shirt off of her. She didn’t know when, but he must have opened her bag at some point, since he was pulling one of her turtlenecks over her head. She lifted her arms, giving him the ability to cover her. He leaned down and tapped her foot, indicating that he wanted her to lift it. He helped her into her panties and then her jeans. By the time she was dressed, Wyatt disconnected the call.

  “Just tell me,” Hannah snapped, not liking the look of concern on his face. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She was a nurse, for God’s sake. She needed to start acting like one, regardless that it was her father.

  “Sam’s been taken to the hospital in Telluride. It looks like he had a mild heart attack.”

  Something clicked in Hannah, letting her respond as if Wyatt was talking about one of her normal patients. Her hands stopped shaking, the trembling in her knees halted, and she was able to finally draw in air. She grabbed her bag and threw her dirty clothes in there from yesterday. Walking to the kitchen, she gulped down her cup of coffee and then placed the mug in the sink.

  “Was that Shep on the phone?” Hannah asked, turning around to face them. She ignored their concerned looks, walking over to the coat rack by the door. “Did he give you any other information?”

  “No. It was Darla. She said something about them taking him in for surgery to place some stents in his heart.”

  Hannah nodded, acknowledging the information. Wyatt and Austin were dressed in record time. Austin had even made sure the fire in the fireplace was out before following them out the door and to the horses. She would scold her father later for putting off the stress test that Shep had wanted him to have. She looked forward to chiding him, because when she did, at least he’d be alive. She refused to believe any differently.

  Chapter Nine

  “So why do you think she’s not telling us something?”

  Austin was sitting in the chair, with his head back against the wall and his eyes closed. His long legs were stretched out in front of him, the laces of his boots having never been tied from this morning. They had left the cabin so fast, Austin wasn’t even sure he had remembered to grab his bag. They had ridden back to the ranch and dropped their horses off with a ranch hand before running to the truck. They had made it to the hospital in record time.

  “Because when we were in Casey’s store yesterday, she mentioned our realities not meshing,” Austin responded, lifting his head up to see if he could spot Hannah coming out of the restroom. “What could not mesh? She’s back in town to stay, we have the same chemistry as we’ve always had, and I’m falling more in love with her by the minute.”

  “Have you ever just thought that maybe she doesn’t want to settle down right now? Or that she doesn’t feel the same way as we do?”

  Austin lifted an eyebrow as he stared down at his brother. For being known as the intelligent brother, Wyatt was lacking in the common-sense department. Did Wyatt not see the way Hannah looked at them? Did his brother not feel the way she responded to their touch?

  “She wants us just as much as we want her,” Austin assured Wyatt. “Besides, you can’t tell me she’s holding something against us that was said fourteen years ago. We were kids. It’s almost as if she’s using it as an excuse to keep us at arm’s length.”

  “I thought it was odd, too. There is nothing to keep the three of us from being together. Hell, everyone knew we belonged together back then. We belong with each other now. It’s just how our life is mapped out, and I want to cruise with the wind, not fight against it.”

  “Please don’t go all poetic on me and—”

  Austin stopped midsentence as he saw Hannah come out of the restroom. She had gathered up her hair and coiled it at the base of her neck. Her green eyes were bloodshot, and her skin had lost its color. He was worried about her. Once the initial shock had worn off, it almost seemed as if she were running on automatic. Before she reached them, Austin saw Darla enter the waiting room.

  “Hannah, dear, here’s some coffee. Shep is bringing some for you two,” Darla said. After handing Hannah her coffee, Darla did what she did best—provided optimism. “So, I checked in with the head nurse. She said the surgeon would be with us soon, so that’s got to be good news.”

  Darla went and sat down in one of the washed-out brown chairs, reaching for a magazine. She used it to fan herself. Hannah slowly made her way to the chair opposite Darla, still not sipping her coffee. Austin was starting to worry about this automatic pilot that Hannah seemed to be on. He hoped she would pull out of it when they found out Sam’s prognosis.

  “Wyatt, Austin—here’s some coffee.”

  Wyatt went and relieved Shep of two of the three Styrofoam cups that he carried. Bringing Austin his, all three men sat down. Shep took the seat next to Darla while Austin and Wyatt sat on either side of Hannah.

  “Dad wants to go out with you.”

  If a pin had dropped, Austin would have been able to hear it. Hannah had silenced the room with seven words. The moment turned for the worse when Darla burst into tears. This was the same woman who always had a smile on her face and never failed to have a cheerful disposition one hundred percent of the time. Shep looked like he was facing a rattlesnake, but manned up and placed an arm awkwardly around her shoulders. Patting it gently, he eyed Austin and Wyatt for help.

  Austin just shrugged, knowing that Hannah needed him more. Leaning in, he whispered, “Sam’s going to get the chance to wine and dine Darla like she’s never been romanced in her life.”

  He watched as Hannah bit her lip, knowing she was fighting back tears herself. He shared a look with Wyatt, both relieved she was finally showing emotion. A deep voice startled all of them.

  “Hannah Warren?”

  They all jumped out of their seats, turning to face a man in blue scrubs. He held his cap in his hand and zeroed in on Hannah. She nodded, indicating that she was whom he wanted to speak to.

  “I’m Dr. William Morley. Your father is out of surgery and in recovery.” The surgeon gave Hannah a reassuring smile. “We placed two stents inside his heart. He will need to take aspirin every day to thin his blood, and you’ll need to watch your father for falls, as any blood thinner can cause extensive bleeding. We’ll also send him home with nitroglycerin. If he has chest pains, he is to place one tablet underneath his tongue three times—with five minutes spaced in between them.”

  “I’m a nurse, Dr. Morley,” Hannah replied. “I will make sure he follows instructions.”

  “As will I,” Darla said, blowing her nose into a tissue.

  “He sailed through the procedure amazingly well,” Dr. Morley said. “As you know, he should change his diet—stay away from salt so his blood pressure doesn’t get too high. We’d like to keep him for a couple days, but they
will go over everything with him once they discharge him. He’s in recovery as we speak and wanting to see you.”

  Austin felt the tension leave Hannah’s body, and for a brief second, she leaned against him. He relished that she needed him, even if it only lasted two seconds. She pulled away and shook the doctor’s hand.

  Even though Hannah had stepped away from him, Austin kept his hand on her lower back. He needed to touch her. From the moment they got the call this morning, he and Wyatt would have done everything in their power to have changed the events. By the time they were in the truck and on their way to the hospital, Darla had called back with more information. Sam had apparently been having breakfast at Aunt Hattie’s B and B when he started complaining of chest pain. Selena had been the one to dial 9-1-1 and then had sent one of her waitresses over to the clinic, informing Doc Shep of the situation. The ambulance made it to the hospital in the time frame needed in order to save his life.

  The surgeon left, and Darla launched herself at Doc Shep. He laughed and returned her hug, reassuring her that she had all the time in the world to woo Sam Warren. Hannah was still staring after the surgeon, as if she doubted what he said.

  “He pulled through, Hannah. Sam’s going to be fine.”

  Hannah gave him a shaky smile and then turned toward Darla. “So, are you going to put him out of his misery? Maybe make him some chicken noodle soup? I’m sure you promising to go out with him will speed up his recovery.”

  “I’ve had a crush on your father for years,” Darla admitted, dabbing her eyes with the tissue. “After I lost Henry, I didn’t think I’d ever find another to make my heart flutter like he did. But when your father looks at me with those green eyes of his…”

  Hannah made the pretense of covering her ears, causing everyone to laugh. It felt good to have the tension relieved. Austin rubbed her back, while she thanked Darla and Shep for keeping them company.

  “You guys are like family, Hannah, you know that,” Shep said. “Listen, go sit with Sam and give me a shout if you need anything. I’ve got to head back to the clinic. Ms. Murray’s been holding down the fort, fussing that we’ve ruined her system.”

  “She calls that filing thing she did a system? I think she had them in order by disease,” Hannah said, her confusion evident. “Who in the world files like that?”

  “Why do you think Doc Earl wanted to retire? Anyway, Billy Williamson hit his head on a stump as he was sledding down Spirit Hill. She’s pretty sure he needs stitches, but he’s refusing to let his mother bring him here to the emergency room.”

  “Doc Shep to the rescue,” Hannah said.

  She gave Shep a tired smile and thanked him again. They all watched as Shep left the room. He wasn’t surprised when Hannah turned to them and thanked them for bringing her.

  “I really appreciate you staying with me while Dad was in surgery. I can grab a ride home with Darla. Maybe I’ll even spend the night and get a ride with Shep. I’m sure he’ll be making his rounds then.”

  “Honey, you know they won’t allow you to spend the night,” Darla said, shuffling over to the chair where she had left her purse. “Besides, I have a lot of time to make up for, if it’s okay with you. After you visit with him, I’d like to sit and chat with your father. Get to know him better.”

  Austin was grateful that Darla was taking care of this matter, knowing that he and Wyatt would not let her stay the evening. She was dead tired and needed caring herself.

  “Hannah, go see your father. Darla’s right, they aren’t going to permit you to stay the night,” Austin informed her, putting a hand up to stop any objections. “We’ll be the ones to take you home.”

  “There’s really no reason for you to wait around,” Hannah protested, shaking her head. “I don’t know how long I’ll be. I want to sit with him for a while and—”

  This was the moment Austin had been waiting on. He knew it was only a matter of time before her emotions boiled over. No matter that she was a nurse, when a family member was the patient, he was sure it was impossible to separate professional and personal lives. Hannah tried to swallow and then placed a hand over her mouth. Tears filled her eyes, and she didn’t pull away when he grabbed a hold of her and held her against him. Wyatt stepped around and comforted her from behind. Darla motioned that she was stepping out of the room, giving them time alone.

  Austin kept murmuring words of encouragement, telling her how brave she was to make it through the day without breaking down. She was a strong woman and did what she had to do. Now was the time to release all the pent-up emotions, before she saw her father. Sam would want to see her smiling face and get updates on his ranch.

  “Come on, baby doll. You go sit with Sam while we check in with his foreman. Once we know everything is covered on the ranch, we’ll come and get you. We’ll let Sam know that everything is covered, and then we’ll drive you home.”

  Hannah nodded her agreement, finally lifting her head and using her hands to dry her tears. Wyatt found some tissue and held it to her nose, telling her to blow. When Hannah looked at him like he had lost his mind, they all laughed, lightening the mood. Sam would be okay and Hannah would make certain that he maintained his health after this. Now all they needed was to convince Hannah to let them take care of her.

  Chapter Ten

  Hannah watched her father sleep. She felt a tear escape, as it slid down her cheek. She was trying really hard to be the strong daughter he raised her to be, but seeing him so frail took her breath away. The wires and machines that were hooked up to him seemed to have zapped the life right out of him.

  “Oh, Daddy,” Hannah whispered, holding his hand between hers. “You certainly gave me a scare.”

  The only answer was the beeping of his heart rate monitor, which she kept checking periodically. The nurse in her wouldn’t stop reading his vitals, as the daughter in her wouldn’t release his hand. She rubbed her thumb across his skin.

  “I told Darla that you wanted to take her to dinner,” Hannah confessed, needing to do something other than sit here, watching for any sign that might indicate something was wrong. “Don’t be mad at me. But she was sitting there, and suddenly it hit me that she felt the same way about you. You should have seen her, worrying like she was. Any other patient that comes through our doors, she’s all business, practically telling them to suck it up and deal with the pain—but not you. From the moment the ambulance came to get you, she was by your side the entire time.”

  Hannah paused a moment, looking up at the screen and seeing his blood-pressure reading. Satisfied it was where it should be, she looked back down at her father’s face. His lines were more prominent in sleep, making her realize how much age had affected him. He wasn’t invincible.

  “You know, when Mom died, I remember you rocking me on the front porch while I cried. We had just come back from the funeral, and I didn’t want to go inside. You asked me if it was seeing the pictures on the wall, and I shook my head no. You then asked if it was because she wasn’t home, and again, I shook my head no. So instead of making me go inside, you pulled me up into your lap and handed me your handkerchief. You know, the white one that Mom had embroidered your name on? I couldn’t stop crying, and you kept telling me she was in a better place and that she wasn’t in pain anymore. I understood what you were saying, but that wasn’t why I couldn’t stop crying. I was scared of losing you.”

  Hannah stopped talking, trying to stop the tears that were now flowing freely from her eyes. She sniffled, wiping her nose with the back of her hand, not caring if a nurse saw. She’d seen worse in her career.

  “You were so strong for me back then, trying to be a mother and a father at the same time. I want you to know that not once did I ever feel like I missed out. You were the best mother and father a girl could ask for.” Hannah heard the blood-pressure cuff compress again, and she stopped talking to check his vitals. All was good. “I think Darla will be good for you. You deserve happiness, Dad, more than any man I know.”

&
nbsp; “Knock-knock,” Darla said, coming into the room.

  For the first time since Hannah had met her, Darla looked as if she didn’t know what to do with herself. It took a while, but Hannah finally figured out that Darla was nervous she would offend her by wanting to take her place. Needing Darla to know that Hannah held no bad feelings toward her for wanting to have a place in her father’s life, Hannah kissed her father’s hand and laid it back on the bed. Standing up, she leaned over and hugged Darla close.

  “I’m going to go home and pack him a bag for tomorrow. You sit with him and keep him company. I know he’d like that,” Hannah said.

  Darla just nodded, as if she didn’t want to speak in case she started crying again. She took the seat Hannah had just vacated and tentatively took her father’s hand. Her voice was low, but Hannah heard Darla sharing with him her life stories and how she would love to get to know him better when he woke up. As Hannah was shutting the door behind her, she heard Darla say she’d like to be taken dancing, once he was up on his feet again. Hannah smiled, knowing her Dad was going to have his work cut out for him if he was going to keep Darla a happy woman.

  * * * *

  “Why are we here? I need to be at the house.”

  “You’re here because this is where we can take care of you. We’ll stop at your place in the morning, so you can grab whatever Sam might need. You said they were releasing him in two days, right?”

  “Yes, but I can drive to the hospital tomorrow,” Hannah answered, rubbing her eyes. They were parked in front of Wyatt and Austin’s house, the front porch illuminated by the porch light. Snow covered the gravel lane, while shadows dimmed the glistening of the flurries. The moon was hidden behind the clouds, making the cover of the night seem stifling. The storm everyone had been talking about seemed like it was finally making its appearance. “I’m sure you guys need to take care of ranch business.”