Reuniting with the Cowboy

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  “Does he have any health issues?”

  “Not that I know of.” A siren whined in the distance. “He did have a bull wreck last spring and his doctor hasn’t released him to drive. Because of a knee injury—I think.”

  “A bull wreck?”

  “He was a bull rider in the rodeo. I think he’s had several concussions.”

  “I see.”

  The siren wailed closer. “The ambulance is almost here. There are two barns here, so I’ll go direct them to the right one. Thank you.” She hung up.

  Hating to leave Cody, she patted Oreo’s head. “Good job, boy. You stay with him. I’ll get help.”

  She ran around the barn as the ambulance pulled into her drive. As her heart tried to beat out of her chest, she directed them around to the back of Cody’s barn.

  The ambulance reversed to him and two paramedics bailed out. “You don’t know what happened to him, ma’am?”

  “No. I just found him like this. I was gone over two hours, so I’m not sure how long he’s been here.” Her voice broke. She clamped a hand over her mouth, swallowed hard. “He’s hot, so I think he’s been here a while. I wouldn’t have found him, but his dog wouldn’t stop barking. He probably needs fluids.”

  “Yes ma’am, he does.” The paramedics inserted an IV into his hand. “You have medical training?”

  “I’m a vet.”

  “Are you a family member?”

  “Um, no. Just a friend. We’re neighbors.” And I’ve been in love with him since I was eighteen years old. “I need to call his family. What do I tell them?”

  “His vitals are stable. Can you do something with the dog?”

  “Oreo.” She whistled and patted her thighs. “They’re helping him. We have to stay out of the way. Come here, boy.”

  As if he felt guilty for leaving Cody, the dog crept toward her. She wrapped her arms around him.

  The paramedics lifted Cody onto a stretcher. “We’ll know more when we get to the hospital.”

  “Where are you taking him?”

  “Baylor Emergency. Here in Aubrey.”

  As they loaded him into the ambulance, Cody’s eyes fluttered open.

  “Cody! What happened?”

  He stared at her a moment, then looked up at the paramedics tending him. “Just got dizzy. I’m okay. Where are y’all taking me?”

  “The ER. Just to get you checked over. Now relax, Mr. Warren.”

  Maybe heatstroke? But it was only in the mid-eighties.

  “I’m fine. There’s no need for that.”

  “You were unconscious for quite some time, Mr. Warren. Just enjoy the ride.”

  She managed a reassuring smile. “Should I call Mitch?”

  “No.” The word ripped from Cody, his eyes panicky. “I mean, don’t worry them.”

  “I’ll follow you.”

  “I’m fine. It’s really not necessary.”

  Oreo strained against her as if he might leap right into the ambulance.

  “I’m okay, boy. I’ll be home as soon as they’ll let me loose.”

  The dog settled a bit at the sound of Cody’s voice. But as the doors of the ambulance closed and they drove away, Oreo broke free of her grip.

  “Here, boy. You can’t go with him.” She managed to coax the dog to her side. “Let’s put you in the barn so you don’t get any ideas, and then I’ll go check on him.”

  Oreo watched the ambulance until it turned onto the street, then followed Ally to her barn.

  “I’m sorry to bring back memories for you, but hopefully Cody will be home soon.” She put him in his old kennel and poured food in his dish. “Cody will be just fine.”

  He had to be. If anything happened to him, a piece of her heart would die.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “We’ve talked with your surgeon in Dallas, Mr. Warren. We’re transporting you there this evening.” The doctor checked something on his chart.

  “You mean I can’t go home?”

  “Your surgeon wants to stay on the safe side and keep you in the hospital until your surgery tomorrow.”

  Cody closed his eyes. “Is my friend still here? Ally Curtis?”

  “There was a lady asking about you.”

  “Can you send her in?”

  Something kind and understanding settled in the doctor’s knowing gaze. “For a few minutes. Then I need you to rest.”

  “I promise.”

  The doctor exited and Cody stared at the ceiling. This was bad. He’d planned to have surgery with no one the wiser. Not Ally. Not his family. He’d written them all letters and left them in envelopes on his kitchen counter—explaining everything—in case he didn’t survive tomorrow’s surgery. Or in case his brain didn’t compute afterward.

  But now Ally knew something was wrong. Could he pass it off as heatstroke? Maybe if they’d release him, but not if they were transporting him to Dallas. Besides, Ally was like a bloodhound. She wouldn’t rest until she got to the bottom of this.

  A knock.

  “Come in.”

  The door opened. She stepped inside, her brows pinched with worry. “How are you feeling?”

  “Much better. Like I might live.”

  “Don’t joke. I want the truth. And remember I’m a vet. If I have the slightest inkling you’re not telling me everything, I’ll call Mitch.”

  He blew out a big sigh. “Sit down.”

  She pulled a chair close to his bedside and he clasped her hand in his.

  “I have a brain aneurysm.”

  “What?” Her jaw dropped.

  “Probably from too many concussions. After my last bull wreck, rehab and physical therapy, my doctor in Dallas ran a battery of tests and found it. He’s not sure how long it’s been there.”

  “What are you thinking? Running a ranch, teaching bull riding?”

  “Sometimes they burst. Sometimes they don’t. I had a list of triggers to avoid, including caffeine.”

  Her eyes closed. “The fake coffee makes sense now.”

  “I couldn’t just lie around on my backside and not live because I was afraid of dying.”

  “So have you had other symptoms?”

  “No. Just the dizziness and passing out.”

  “Aneurysms can cause stroke or death.” Her eyes shimmered. “What are they going to do about it?”

  “I’m having surgery tomorrow. I set it up a few weeks ago. They’re transporting me to Dallas tonight.”

  “Tell me about the surgery.”

  “I could die on the table, I could survive with brain damage, I could have a stroke, or I could live and have a normal life.”

  “I don’t want you to die.” She laid her forehead against his bed rail. “Or be sick. I can’t believe you kept this from me.”

  “I kept it from everyone.” He stroked her hair, savoring the silky feel of it against his calloused fingers. “My family doesn’t even know.”

  She raised her head and her tear-brightened gaze met his. “Why?”

  “Because I knew they’d push for me to have the surgery.”

  “They love you.”

  “And I love them. But this is my aneurysm, my brain, my life. I wanted to pray and make the decision in peace and on my own.”

  “Then I’ll be there by your side.” Her chin trembled. “You can’t go through this alone.”

  “Weren’t you steamed at me less than twenty-four hours ago?”

  Her cheeks pinkened. “A brain aneurysm puts things in perspective. You have to tell your family.”

  “Why not just let them be in peaceful ignorance until it’s over?”

  “And what if you die?” Her voice cracked. “You can’t let them be oblivious and then out of the
blue die during surgery they don’t know you’re having.”

  “Thanks for your confidence in my surgeon.” He grinned. When all else failed, crack a joke.

  But she didn’t smile or laugh. “I’m praying for you to live. But your family needs to know what’s going on.”

  “I left letters for them at my house. If anything happens, you can—”

  “Do you want me to call Caitlyn or will you call Mitch?”

  She was right. “Can I borrow your phone?” They deserved to know.

  * * *

  “How could he not tell us?” Cody’s mom dabbed her eyes with a tissue and his dad gave her a hug.

  “He didn’t want to worry you.” Ally set down the magazine she’d picked up just to keep her hands busy.

  “I can’t believe he planned to go through this surgery alone.” Mitch paced the waiting room.

  “If he hadn’t passed out and I hadn’t found him—” she clasped her hands together to stop their trembling “—he probably wouldn’t have told any of us.”

  “He’s so stubborn.” Tara leaned into her husband’s shoulder. “Always thought he had to do everything on his own.”

  “Not on his own.” Wayne squeezed Audra’s hand. “With God. But he still should have told us. I’ll give our boy what-for once this is over.”

  A nurse stopped in the doorway. “Mr. Warren is prepped for surgery, if y’all would like to see him before they take him back.”

  Everyone stood. Except Ally. She wanted to see him more than anything. But she wasn’t family.

  “Come on, Ally.” Audra touched her arm.

  “You sure? I don’t want to get in the way.”

  “Cody thinks the world of you. There was a time when I thought you might end up being my daughter-in-law.”

  Her cheeks flushed. “We’re just friends.”

  “Uh-huh.” Caitlyn linked arms with Ally and whispered, “Not buying it anymore.”

  The nurse led them down a long hall, then directed them to a cubicle with the curtain pulled aside. Cody was a bit pale, but other than that, he looked like the picture of health. How could he be so sick and look so great?

  “Hey, y’all.” He grinned.

  Was his perkiness an act for his family?

  Audra dabbed her eyes. “I don’t know how you can be so upbeat. If you weren’t about to go into surgery, I’d box your ears.”

  “Get in line.” Tara sniffled.

  “I’ll be fine. It’s gonna take more than a little blood vessel to take me out.” But his eyes weren’t quite as lively. He was just as scared as they were. The overconfident bluster was a front.

  “I’m glad you’re here, Ally.” He reached toward her.

  She stepped forward, took his hand.

  “At least they’re not shaving my head.”

  “Just get well.” Her free hand went to his hair as if she had no control and her fingers wound through his waves. “Oreo needs you.”

  And so do I. Oh, to kiss him. She settled for grazing her lips against his cheek.

  “Don’t worry.” He squeezed her hand. “God’s got this.”

  “He better have.” She pulled away and managed a smile. “But I think I’ll have a talk with Him just to make sure.”

  His eyes lit up. “I’m relieved to hear you say that. I was worried you weren’t on speaking terms with Him anymore.”

  “We’re good.” Or they would be once she did some apologizing. “I’ll give you time with your family.”

  One foot in front of the other, she hurried away before she did something stupid. Like plastering herself against him, begging him to live and love her back.

  “I’m going to the chapel.” Caitlyn, right behind her. “Want to come with me?”

  “Yes.” She slowed to let Caitlyn lead.

  Just outside the waiting room, she noticed stained-glass windows in paneled doors. She followed Caitlyn inside, where pews lined the large space facing a lit cross.

  Caitlyn knelt at the front near the cross. Ally joined her friend there.

  Okay, God, I’m sorry for turning my back on You. For pretending I don’t need You. When I found Cody unconscious, what did I do? I called out to You—proving that I do need You.

  I need You to bless Cody’s surgeon’s hands. I need You to bless the procedure. I need You to heal Cody. And let him still be Cody. Warped sense of humor and all. Please, let him be healthy and whole.

  * * *

  Waiting for the orderly to roll him into surgery, Cody lay still. If only his brain would stop spinning. What if he had a stroke? What if he couldn’t talk or walk? What if he ended up a vegetable?

  His parents had gone, along with Tara and Jared, Caitlyn and Ally.

  But Mitch stayed by his side. “You okay?”

  “So far, so good. I’m kind of hungry, though.” Cody patted his empty stomach.

  “That’s a good sign.” Mitch chuckled, but his eyes turned serious. “You should have told us.”

  “I saved you some worry and myself some pressure while I decided what to do.”

  “You’re right there. Mom wouldn’t have let you rest until you scheduled surgery. You scared?”

  “Not of dying.” His hand shook as he tugged his sheet up against the frigid hospital air-conditioning set on deep freeze as usual. “But living and not being myself, that terrifies me.”

  “I guess that’s why you took so long to decide.”

  “That and Ally.”

  “What’s Ally got to do with it?”

  “I’m head over heels in love with her.”

  Mitch’s mouth twitched. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

  “How?”

  “You get all sappy-eyed when you look at her.”

  “Really?” Cody’s grin widened. “Think she knows?”

  “Probably not. Women are clueless when it comes to love. You pretty much have to spell it out for them. Put it into words. So you haven’t told her?”

  “Not yet.” Cody closed his eyes. “I decided to have the surgery for a chance with her. But I won’t tie her to a vegetable. If everything goes well, I don’t have a stroke, I don’t have brain damage and I live, I’ll tell her.”

  “What if you have some mild side effect?”

  “We’ll see. But if I end up half-paralyzed or not knowing who I am or how to speak, I can’t saddle her with that.”

  “Way to think positive, little brother.” The seriousness of the situation weighed heavy in Mitch’s tone.

  “I mean it. If anything bad goes down, I don’t want her to know how I feel. Promise me you won’t tell her.”

  “I promise.” Mitch patted his knee. “But you’ll be fine. We’ve got all of Aubrey praying for you.”

  “So much for privacy.” Cody rolled his eyes.

  The orderly strolled toward them. “They’re ready for you, Mr. Warren.”

  Mitch hugged him. “See you in a few hours, bro.”

  “I hope so.”

  Please, Lord, heal me or take me home.

  * * *

  They’d been told the surgery would last three hours. Ally glanced at the clock. Time was almost up. Why wouldn’t someone tell them something?

  Rubber-soled shoes squeaked on the shiny tile as medical personnel rushed back and forth past the nurses’ station.

  Mitch paced. Caitlyn flipped through a magazine. Audra and Tara sniffled. Wayne and Jared talked horses, though both were distracted. While Ally slowly went insane.

  A nurse stepped in the doorway. Everyone stood.

  “Mr. Warren is in recovery. The doctor will be right with you.”

  What did that mean? In her clinic, it meant everything had gone well and her patient was resting. Ally sank back to her
chair. One by one, the others followed. Except Mitch, who continued to pace.

  “That means everything’s okay? Right?” Audra wiped her nose.

  Wayne stroked her hand.

  A man wearing blue-green scrubs stepped in the room. “The procedure went well. Everything looks good.”

  “No brain damage?” Wayne looked like he might fall over.

  “There wasn’t any bleeding.” The doctor’s soft tone comforted. “The repair went off without a hitch. We’ll know more tomorrow. We’ll just have to wait until Cody wakes up.”

  More waiting. This was torturous.

  “How long will that be?” Audra’s voice quavered.

  “He should be coming out of it soon. He’ll probably drift in and out of sleep until tomorrow. We’ll see how lucid he is then and run tests. At this point, only time will tell.”

  But he’d made it through the surgery. With no bleeds. That was a good sign. Every surgery she’d ever done with no bleeds resulted in the pet making a full recovery.

  Ally covered her face with her hands. Thank You, Lord, for letting Cody make it through surgery.

  “Can we see him?” Hope filled Audra’s voice.

  “Once he’s out of recovery, he’ll be in ICU. We’ll allow two visitors at a time for a few hours and then he’ll need to rest. The nurse will let you know as soon as he’s in a room.”

  “When can we take him home?” Ever-optimistic Audra.

  “As well as the surgery went, barring complications, usually one to three days.”

  Meaning Cody could be fine tomorrow. Or he could be a different man.

  But he was alive. That was the important part. If he was a different man, they could become friends all over again. If he was a different man, maybe he’d fall in love with her.

  Whatever the future held, having Cody alive and well was all that mattered.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Light. And voices. Cody tried to open his eyes, but they wouldn’t seem to budge. Heavy. Heavy eyelids.

  He wiggled his toes.

  “Hey, I think he’s coming around.” Mitch’s voice.

  Surgery. He’d had surgery. And he remembered that. That was good. He smiled.

  “What are you dreaming about, bro? It must be good.”