CH. 2 Hospital

Everything after that was a blur. I don’t even remember boarding the plane. I ended up having a 2 hour delay which made my anxiety levels go through the roof. I should have just taken my jet but I wasn’t thinking straight. By the time I remembered it was too late. I called Steven and let him know I wouldn’t be able to make it to dinner. I felt relieved to be getting away from him. Steven is a nice guy, he’s a businessman, lives for the city life and is very handsome. Any girl would be lucky to have him if they could handle the fact that he is married to his job. Which is what I like most about him. But lately, he was getting clingy wanting to spend more time together. I don’t know why he has to go and ruin a good thing. I made it clear from day one that I wasn’t interested in a serious relationship, I was only looking for someone to accompany me to social functions and maybe dinner every now and then. In return, I accompany him to his business parties. Plus it kept my father and brother off my back about relationships. I’m not looking for true love or to start another family, been there and done that and I Won’t, NO, I CAN’T do that again…. 

“You’ve been running 10 minutes” the voice in my ear brought me out of my thoughts for a moment. Suddenly the hoodie felt too restricting. I quickly pulled it off not losing a step and threw it to the side of the road. I started running faster, pushing myself harder, the burning in my lungs returning as I started up a steep incline. Doing my best to stay on the path. One wrong step in these mountains could be a serious mistake. My calves were burning as I tried to push the nightmare, the memories, just everything out of my mind. I’ve been doing so well this last year just working hard, and running more, I even started kickboxing and sparring at the gym to help release my anger. I was really finally feeling like I had my feet underneath me and now my whole world was falling apart again. I tried to focus on my run, and the pain, but my mind kept drifting back to the hospital…..

Randle was waiting for me trying to sugarcoat everything that was going on. I’m a big girl I don’t need his protection. I need him to tell me the truth. “Hey sis, you okay?” His eyes searched my face for any signs of a breakdown I’m sure. “I’m fine how’s Dad? What’s going on?” I hardly recognized my own voice. Randle hugged me and didn’t say anything. Instead, he just stared at me. I could practically see the wheels turning in his head,” Randle you need to tell me what’s going on now before I lose it. I promise I can handle it.” this big brother routine was getting old,” I just don’t want you to worry is all, I’m not sure what to do. The doctors said they’ve done all they can and now we just need to wait. I guess he had some swelling on his brain so they have him in a medically induced coma. We won’t know anything for the next 48 hours.” he was fidgeting as he said it and I knew he wasn’t telling me something. I tried to calm my nerves feeling more irritated by the second. “Okay Randle what else!” He was watching me closely trying to see how I was handling all the news he just gave me.” For Pete's Sake Randle, What Is It!” I yelled a little louder than I meant to causing him to jump. He looked down at the floor,” It is just that um….” he ran his fingers through his hair in frustration finally looking up at me.” I just got a call from Sarah, they’ve put her on bed rest at the hospital. I really need to get back to her but with Dad….” My stomach was in knots. 

Sarah, my sister-in-law is pregnant with twins. They live in Florida and have been trying for years to get pregnant. I could see the fear in his eyes. For my dad, for Sarah, and for his unborn babies. I could see how torn he was over it. I took a deep breath, trying my best to remove the emotions from my mind I wrapped my arms around him.” Randle, go home, I can handle this!” I lied I really wasn’t sure if I could handle this but I needed him to go to Sarah. I do better on my own anyways,” Dad will be so upset if he finds out you’re here when Sarah needs you at home. Besides, there is nothing you can do for him here that you can’t do at home. I promise to let you know when he wakes because he will wake up!” I pulled away from his embrace looking into his eyes to make sure he understood,” but….” “No BUTS, go now! This is not up for debate Dad is going to be fine!” He finally relaxed and I knew I had won.  

“Fine, let me book my flight and I’ll go.” 

The doctors had Dad in the ICU for constant monitoring, aside from the brain swelling he had a broken arm and leg. They were optimistic he’d make a full recovery but there was no way of knowing until the swelling came down, my Dad is a fighter and that gave me hope. Suddenly the room started to spin and I couldn’t breathe I needed to leave but I didn’t have a car, I took an Uber from the airport but didn’t schedule a ride home. My throat started to tighten making it harder to breathe. I could feel a full panic attack starting when His eyes caught mine, they were the deepest blue I had ever seen. My legs felt a little wobbly and I grabbed the chair to steady myself. My heart racing loudly I’m sure everyone could hear it.

The man looked to be about 6’5, I could tell he was muscular not overly but just enough that his arms had definition in them. I could see the veins on his forearms that were crossed over his chest. The wranglers fit snug to his body paired nicely with a white short-sleeved t-shirt. He looked like he had just been working on the ranch. A baseball cap covered his hair so I couldn’t tell what color it was. I couldn’t look away from him. No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t look away. Heat started to creep up my neck to the top of my head when I realized he was staring back at me. Finally, he turned to Randle and nodded his head as they shook hands. I used the opportunity to turn away hoping he didn’t notice me gawking but sure that he did. 

What the crap was that all about? I turned back around just as this man and my brother started walking over to me. 

“Reagan this is Riggin, he is going to give you a ride home, I’m not leaving here unless you let him drive you home. Aunt Linda already has your room ready and she should be back in the morning.” Oh no I’m not riding with this man no, no, no I tried to protest but he shut me down. I could tell there was no arguing with him this was a battle I wasn’t going to win.” Fine!” I said,” But I’m not happy about it!” He smiled and kissed my cheek before walking out the door. 

As soon as he was gone I was very aware that my stomach was doing somersaults.” Ma’am, I’m ready to leave when you are” I recognized Riggin's voice from the phone call. I looked at him without thinking. He had a drop-dead gorgeous grin on his face and I was suddenly very hot. His voice was even deeper in person. All my composure was gone and I couldn’t think straight, I didn’t know what to say to him. Instead, I just stood there staring at him.

Come on, get it together Reagan form words,” To be honest I’m ready to leave now!” I said in the most stuck-up voice I could muster and forced myself to rush past him outside. I needed distance from this boy.