by Elle Linder
“Nothing comes to mind.”
“Okay, we should be home by three thirty at the latest. I love you.”
He shivered but not in a good way like he usually did when Tori told him she loved him. “Hey, Tori?”
“Yup, did you think of something?”
“No, baby, just… be careful.”
“Aww, I will. I’m transporting precious cargo.”
He could hear her whispering something to Lyla.
“Daddy, don’t be a worrywart! We love you… bye…”
“Wait, Tori?” The line was dead. He didn’t get to tell her he loved her or Lyla. It didn’t sit well with him. Just as he was about to call Tori back, Kirk opened the door to the trailer, and his horse, Asia, went wild. He stuck his phone in his pocket and ran to help Kirk.
Rex worked to slow his breathing as he sat next to Kirk on a wooden fence. It’d taken a half an hour to get the black stallion into the outdoors pen. It was no easy task and not without injuries.
“How’s the hand?” Rex asked, turning toward Kirk. Asia was one quick biter and had bitten him again.
He raised his hand to look at it. “It’s all good. So what do you think?” He jerked his chin toward Asia.
“Well, I need to observe her for a couple of days. My vet will be here tomorrow to check her out. Then we’ll go from there. Any new changes at your place?”
“Nope, not that I can think of.”
“Hmm.”
As Rex and Kirk continued talking, they watched Asia as she discovered her new surroundings for the next hour. She was a beauty. A bit prickly and stubborn too. It wasn’t the first time he had dealt with a horse who suddenly started biting. He was sure he could help Kirk but didn’t want to make any promises.
Getting Asia into her stall in the stables wasn’t any easier than getting her in the outdoors pen. It had taken nearly twice as long as he and Kirk patiently eased Asia into her new short-term home. When they were done, they drank a bottle of water and chatted some more.
“Golly, it’s ten to four. I need to get going if I’m going to make it in time to pick my kids up from their after-school activities.”
Rex checked his watch. “The time really flew by!” Tori and Lyla should have been home a while ago. Maybe they had stopped somewhere else, like the boutique, or they went into Molly’s Creamery for an ice cream cone. Or, knowing Tori, she had run into a friend. His girl liked to talk.
Still, none of those possibilities felt right.
“I’ll be by Saturday morning to check on Asia if that’s okay,” Kirk said as they made their way to his truck.
“Sounds good. If I have any questions, I’ll call.”
“Whoa! Who the hell is that kicking up dust?”
Rex stared at the truck hauling ass toward him. He couldn’t make out who it was and didn’t recognize the pickup.
The truck came to a screeching halt and Tanner Hart yelled out the passenger window. “Get in! Tori and your daughter were in an accident!”
Twenty-four
REX AND TANNER ran through the ER doors. His heart had been in his throat since Tanner told him Tori had been stuck in the middle of a four-car pile-up on HWY 95 after a rig’s tire blew out on the two-lane road. The image Rex had in his mind was Tori’s sedan sandwiched between the other cars. He had never been so terrified in all his life. The woman he loved and his daughter, both injured… He could hardly draw in a breath.
“Mom!” Tanner yelled when he saw her. “How are they?”
“We don’t know.” She looked over at Conway pacing along the back wall. “Rex, they won’t tell me anything about your little girl.” She put her hand on Rex’s forearm. “You should go ask about her at the desk over there.”
Rex nodded and went to the information desk.
“Yes, sir.”
“My four-year-old daughter was brought in from the accident on ninety-five. Can you tell me how she is?”
Tanner approached the desk beside Rex and clapped his shoulder.
“Yes, Lyla,” the nurse said. “She’s a lucky little girl. It was smart, keeping her car seat in the middle instead of by the door. She might not have been so lucky when the minivan hit the left side of the vehicle. I’ll get a nurse to take you to her.”
Rex swallowed down his emotion. “Then she’s okay?”
“She’s banged up a bit and has a broken arm, but she’ll be fine. The doctor wants to keep her overnight for observation.”
“And Tori Hart? The driver my daughter was with.”
The nurse’s face fell slack. “She didn’t fare as well is all I know. She’s in emergency surgery. I’m sorry.”
Tanner swallowed, blinking his eyes rapidly and squeezing Rex’s shoulder. “Fuck,” Tanner said. “Fuck!”
“Tanner!” Bailey called as she entered the building. He went to her and hugged her. “Any word? How is she?”
“She’s in surgery. We don’t know anything else yet.”
He must have been having an out-of-body experience because none of this felt right. Tori and Lyla, in the hospital and injured. It couldn’t be real. It had to be a nightmare.
“Rex?”
He raised his gaze to emerald-colored eyes that were identical to Tori’s.
“The nurse called your name to take you to see your little girl.” Tori’s mom patted his arm. “Go see your baby, and we’ll get word to you when we hear something on Tori.”
He shook his head, tears pooling in his eyes. He was losing it. “I can’t.” His voice cracked. “I can’t lose her…”
A tear streaked down Elise’s face. “I know. I can’t lose her either. Now, go check on Lyla. Tori would want you with her. She must be frightened. She needs you.”
He nodded, wiping tears away. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll go. You’ll come to tell me when Tori is out of surgery?”
“Yes, you have my word.”
Rex followed the nurse to Lyla’s room. When he entered, another nurse was sitting with her, reading her a story.
“D… D… Daddy,” she cried when she saw him.
He immediately went to her side and gently kissed her head. “I’m here, sweetpea, I’m here.”
“The car hit us. We flipped, Daddy. We flipped.”
“Shh, it’s okay. You’re safe.”
“Mommy was bleeding from her head when the fireman came. She wouldn’t wake up when I talked to her. Where is she? Where’s Mommy?”
Rex was so overwhelmed he didn’t know what to do. Hearing Lyla retell what happened was made worse by her calling Tori Mommy. She hadn’t done that before, and he wasn’t sure where it was coming from.
“The doctors are fixing Tori’s owies, honey.”
“I want to see her.”
“I’ll take you when the doctor says it’s okay.”
Lyla cried until she finally exhausted herself. All the while, his mind was on Tori. Nobody had come to get him during the hour he was with Lyla. He stepped out, leaving a nurse with his little girl. He couldn’t stand waiting on the doctors.
He went out into the waiting room and looked for Tanner or Elise, the only two people he felt comfortable talking to.
“Any word?” he asked Tanner, who was sitting with his fiancée curled into him. She’d been crying, judging by her red, swollen eyes.
“No. I’m going crazy here.”
Rex could understand that.
“How’s your little girl?” Bailey asked, just as Elise approached.
“She’ll be okay. She has a broken arm, some bruising, and cuts. She’s pretty upset though and keeps asking for Tori. It’s breaking my heart.”
“Aw, sweet baby girl,” Elise said. “I can sit with her if you’d like?”
“Elise,” Conway barked. “You’re staying right here.”
“Stop it,” she said in a scolding tone. “I need to keep busy. All this waiting is tearing me up inside.”
“Our daughter will need you,” he said through gritted teeth. He pointed at Rex. “And I don’t want
you going near her.”
“Oh Jesus,” Tanner hissed.
“Conway! Have you no compassion?”
“It’s okay, Mrs. Hart. He probably thinks this is karma. That I’m getting what I deserve after what I did to him. He’s probably right. But is losing the woman I love the proper punishment? Maybe it is, I have no idea.” Rex rubbed his hand over his beard.
“You’re not good enough for her!” Conway replied in a cold, clipped tone.
Rex shook his head. He couldn’t argue with the man. He felt unworthy of Tori.
“Ever since my mom abandoned me, my dad, and brothers, I always wondered why nothing good happened in my life. Then my daughter came into the world, so perfect and innocent. I did everything I could to deserve her.” He wiped a tear off his face. “But then Tori came into my life and made me whole. Through her love and gentle spirit, she pieced together all the brokenness inside me. I know I’ll never deserve her love, but dammit, my worthless ass needs her. My heart only beats for her.”
Conway held his gaze for a long second as if unsure of what to say.
“Hart family,” a nurse called. Tori’s family made their way to the front while Rex hung back like an outsider… a nobody. “The doctor will be out in just a minute.”
A white-haired man exited through the double doors. “Hello, I’m Dr. Baker. Tori is out of surgery and in recovery. Let me put your minds at ease. She’s going to be fine.”
“Oh thank God!” Elise exclaimed. She hugged Conway as Tori’s brothers hugged their significant others and each other.
Rex had no one to celebrate the fantastic news with.
“The patient suffered multiple fractured ribs, and we had to patch up a nasty gash on her left hip and stop some internal bleeding. She also has a mild concussion. I want to keep her for a couple days just to be safe.”
“Is she awake?” Tori’s mom asked.
“She is. When they move her into a private room, she can have visitors. No more than two at a time, please.”
“Thank you, Dr. Baker.”
“Who’s Rex?” the doctor asked. “Is he here?”
Everyone turned toward him with stunned expressions.
Rex cleared his throat and moved forward. “I’m Rex.”
“Come with me.”
“Wait!” Conway stepped in front of the doctor. “I don’t want him near my daughter.”
“Conway, please.” Elise grabbed his bicep.
The doctor looked at the paper in his hand. “Well, sir, it says here Miss Hart is twenty-seven. I’m afraid you don’t get a say in who she requests to see.” The doctor waved Rex on. “This way.”
Twenty-five
EVERYTHING WAS FUZZY, the lights overhead, the sounds around her. But one thing was clear, she wanted Rex.
“Tori,” he whispered.
She didn’t see Rex at first, then she blinked and he was by her side.
“I was so scared I’d lose you.” He lightly kissed her lips. “I love you. I love you so much.”
“Lyla, how is she?”
“Always thinking of my girl, aren’t you? She’s fine. She has a broken arm and some cuts and bruises. They’ll release her tomorrow.”
Tori softly cried. “I’m so sorry about this. It all happened so fast and I didn’t know what to do, except brace for the impact.”
“Shh, no, darlin’. None of this was your fault. It was an accident. You’re both going to be fine.”
“Is my face mangled? It hurts and feels fat.”
“You’re gorgeous, Miss Hart.”
“It’s mangled, isn’t it?”
“Just some bruising and a few cuts.”
“Great,” she grumbled.
“Excuse me, Mr. Knolls? Your daughter is awake and asking for you.”
He looked at Tori.
“Go. She needs you. I’m fine.”
“But—”
“Nope, you’re going. I’m sure there’s a crowd out in the waiting room just dying to see me,” she teased.
“You’re right about that and one angry dad.”
“I figured as much. I love you.”
“I love you too.” He kissed her.
“We’re moving her to room sixty-one, just down the hall from your daughter's room,” the nurse said.
“Thank you. I’ll be back soon.”
Not long after Tori was moved into her own room, her mom and dad arrived. She prepared for an emotional visit.
“How are you feeling, sweetie?” her mom asked.
“I’ve been better. How bad is my face? Rex said I’m gorgeous, but I know he’s not telling the truth.”
“He’s telling the truth,” her dad muttered.
Mama smiled as she took Tori’s hand. “Don’t scare me like that again, okay?”
“I’ll try not to.”
“Are you in any pain?”
“No. I’m heavily medicated.”
“Good. Is there anything I can bring you?”
“The stuff I need is at Rex’s. I’m sure he’ll bring it.”
“I’m sure he will. His daughter is precious,” Mama said in a quiet voice.
“You saw her? How is she?”
“I just peeked in on her while she was asleep. She has a pink cast on her little arm. Aside from some bruising and small cuts, she looks perfect.”
“Aww, pink is her favorite color.”
“I figured as much.”
“Mama, I was so worried about her. When the rig’s tire blew and brake lights were flashing and then the van was coming toward us, all I could think of was Lyla and how to protect her.”
“Mother’s instinct.”
Conway growled low.
“Dad, do you have something to say?”
“I’ll leave you two alone.” Mama winked and kissed Tori’s cheek. “Go easy on him.”
Seconds ticked by before her dad sat in the chair next to her bed.
“You just gave me the scare of my life, sugar. You shouldn’t do that to your old man.” He took her hand gently in his and kissed it. “I don’t know what I would have done if I lost my little girl.” His dark eyes filled with emotion. She’d never seen her dad tear up before, much less a tear skitter down his face like one was doing now. “You really love him?”
“Yes, I do.”
“If he ever hurts you…”
“Daddy, he won’t. He values his life.” She tried to smile, though it hurt.
“All I can promise you is I’ll try.”
She sniffled and blinked back tears. “That’s all I’m asking for, Daddy.”
“Will you leave Daisy at the ranch until the spring? I need to see my sugar every day.” He tapped the end of her nose lightly with his finger. She always loved how he called her sugar. “You can bring the half-pint with you too.”
That did it for her. Her tears involuntarily fell. “That means the world to me, Daddy.”
“Aw, sugar. You mean the world to me.”
The door creaked open and Rex stopped.
“Come in.” She reached her right hand out to him.
Rex took it and kissed her forehead. “Conway.”
“Rex.” Her dad gave him a short nod. “I have a few things to say to you.”
Tori gently squeezed Rex’s hand. Leave it to her father to get right to it.
“I’m listening.”
“You’re a father. You know what it’s like to have a daughter. Never forget that when dealing with my daughter.”
“Okay.”
“If you ever hurt Tori—”
“Let me stop you there. It won’t happen. I could’ve lost Tori and my little girl today. I’m not the fool I once was, I assure you. I’d be a shell of a man without Tori. I won’t do anything to screw up what I have with her.”
“I’m glad to hear it. This is me giving you a pass for the offense you caused me because I love my little girl more than life itself. Don’t make me regret it.” Conway extended his hand over Tori’s body toward Rex.
The two most important men in her life shook hands right before her. It gave her hope for the future and made her delightfully happy.
“I couldn’t love either of you more than I do at this very moment,” she told them with tears of joy in her eyes.
Epilogue
THANKSGIVING IN THE Harts’ home was warm and inviting and beautifully chaotic. Rex had never experienced anything like it. Everybody seemed to chip in, doing their part, men and women alike.
He recalled the few Thanksgiving meals that stood out from his childhood and only remembered his mom doing everything while his dad sat in his recliner, drinking beer and watching football.
Rex preferred the Harts’ way of doing things much more.
The house was full of people he didn’t know well but hoped to form closer relationships with. Tanner and his fiancée, Bailey, were setting the large table in the dining room while Dawson and his girlfriend, Piper, were getting drinks for everyone. Dylan and his best friend, Sofie, were helping Elise in the kitchen.
And Conway? He was out on the back patio deep-frying the turkey and grilling steaks because, apparently, cattle ranchers eat beef on Turkey Day… or at least this family of cattle ranchers did.
Heck, Rex wasn’t complaining. His mouth had been watering since the moment they arrived an hour ago. There were homemade rolls, pies, and cookies. The Harts sure knew how to put together one spectacular feast, and he was thrilled to have been invited.
He gazed at Tori as she smiled and chatted with Lyla. Elise had made Tori stay on the couch because she was still recovering from her injuries, and Lyla hadn’t moved from her side. Both were doted on and catered to by everyone. Drinks and snacks were brought to them on silver trays. It cracked him up when Tori told him her family never behaved this way. He didn’t believe her for a second. It was easy to see this family took care of their own and were happy to do it.
He also enjoyed watching Tori’s family interact with Lyla. He could tell by her cautious eyes she was taking it all in, but she smiled frequently, and that pleased him as well.
“Rex,” Tori called and waved him over.
“Yes, love?”
“Can you help me up, please? It’s time to eat.” Tori’s hip had been badly bruised surrounding the gash she’d received. Any time she sat down for any length of time, her body stiffened. The doctor had told her she just needed to let it heal. Of course, Tori was going crazy because she hadn’t been able to ride Daisy. A few fractured ribs and a badly bruised hip will do that. He sure loved her fire and grit.
