“She made it. She made it,” he murmured between sips.
“Dad, when can we see her?” Tory set her coffee on the table in front of her, too edgy to drink any more caffeine.
“Not too long. The nurse will let us know.”
“Tor-ee?”
Tory glanced toward the door and smiled. Mindy hurried into the room and threw herself into Tory’s arms. She kissed the top of the child’s head and hugged her.
“Miss—you.”
“And I missed you, young lady. How are you doing?” Tory pulled back to look into the child’s face, smoothing her hair back.
“How’s—Grand-ma?”
“She’s gonna be fine. The operation was a success.”
“Not—gonna—uh—die?”
Mindy’s large eyes appealed to her, causing her chest to tighten. “No, baby. Grandma’s going to be one hundred percent better.” She hoped.
“Can—I see—her?”
“Soon.” Tory caught sight of Slade standing back watching their exchange. She offered him a smile, her exhaustion beginning to take over. Her eyelids felt heavy, her movements slow, all the nervous energy drained from her.
“I’m glad to hear your mother is okay.” Slade took the chair next to her, stretching his long legs out and crossing them at the ankle.
“Thank you,” she murmured, then hugged Mindy to her, taking solace in the feel of the child in her arms.
There was a part of her that wanted to throw herself into his comforting embrace as Mindy had her, but her trip home had raised all her doubts and fears she’d begun to put to rest. Over the last month she’d thought she had moved past her memories to forge a new future. She’d been fooling herself.
When the nurse came into the room, she directed Tory’s father to where her mother was. Time moved slowly as Tory waited her turn to see her mother. Weariness had a strong grip on her now.
Mindy scooted over to sit where Tory’s father had been. Swinging her legs, she asked, “Do you—think— Belle—misses me?”
“Gus is taking good care of her. It won’t be long before you see her again. What have you, Ashley and Jamie been doing?”
“Watch-ing—movies.” The child shrugged. “Playing—games. Not much.” She looked up at Tory. “Been—uh—uh—worried.”
“You don’t need to worry anymore. Things will be back to normal in no time,” Tory said with more conviction than she felt. She’d finally thought her life was on track, but this derailment made her wonder if she was heading in the right direction. Slade deserved more than she was afraid she could give him.
When Mindy wandered over to Ashley and Jamie and they began to play a card game, Tory shifted around to Slade. With his head back on the cushion, his eyes closed, she studied his strong features, relaxed for the moment. A lock of his hair curled on his forehead. Her fingers itched to brush it back into place. She balled her hands and refrained from touching him. She twisted around, trying to find a comfortable position in the hard chair.
When she peered at Slade again, his eyes were open and watching her. She swallowed several times, but her throat remained parched. For a few seconds she glimpsed a yearning in his gaze that nearly undid her. He cloaked his expression and straightened.
“Did you call your office this morning?”
He nodded, his gaze fixed on her.
“How’s everything in Cimarron City? Okay?”
“Fine. I’ve been informed by my secretary that I have done such a good job of hiring a great team that they can manage without me for a while.” He angled so his knees touched her leg, and he took her hands within his. “I will be here for you for as long as you need me. Everything back home will take care of itself. You only have to worry about your mother.”
The concern in his expression struck at her composure. She wanted to fall apart in his arms, to cry for her mother, for her lost innocence. But the sounds of the others held her rigid, especially the voices of the children. She pulled her hands from his and stood on shaky legs. If she stayed near him, she would fall apart, and Mindy didn’t need to see that.
Tory paced from one end of the room to the other. With his fingers steepled in front of his face and his elbows resting on the arms of the chair, Slade observed her flexing her hands then curling them into fists. He wanted to help, but every time he’d tried, she’d shut the door in his face. He wasn’t sure what to do anymore.
He shoved himself to his feet and said to Mindy, “I’ll be back in a minute, sweetheart.”
“Sure Dad-dy.” She glanced up from her cards, giving him a smile that showed her missing tooth.
When he left the waiting room, he headed straight for the chapel, not wanting to be gone long. But he needed a quiet place to talk with God, a place free of distractions.
In the small chapel Slade sat on the front pew, bowed his head and clasped his hands together. This was still so new to him. He had been out of practice for so long. Where to begin?
Suddenly the words filled his mind. Lord, please help me to be there for Tory. I don’t know what she needs anymore. I know what happened to her, but I still feel she is holding something back from me, keeping something buried deep inside her that is a barrier to any lasting relationship between us. Please show me what to do. Should I try to force the issue? Should I back off? What do I do?
* * *
Tory’s mother lay in the hospital bed, pale, the wrinkles on her face more prominent, but she was alive. Tory walked to her mother with Mindy and Slade on either side of her. Her mother’s eyes fluttered open and she smiled, a faint upturn of her mouth.
Tory cupped her mother’s hand between hers. “Mom—” The words choked
