“No, nothing lasts forever, dear. The good Lord took my John away, called him back. But he let us have the best years of my life, and gave me three beautiful children, don’t you let anyone try to stop you two from doing the same,” she cautions me, wagging her finger at me before turning to go.
“Age is just a number. It’s what’s in here that matters,” she adds, clutching her hand to her heart.
The silver line of a tearful but happy memory making her leave suddenly.
I can hear Ben’s distinctive, deep voice from down the hall as he talks on the phone.
I wonder if he’s slept. How he’s managed to sit here for so long, I just want to be well enough again to… Well. To do all sorts of things to him.
To show him how much I love him.
But it’s when he pauses outside my room, finishing what he has to say that I feel my stomach lurch.
“…Thing is, boss. I don’t feel like explaining myself anymore. Not to you or anybody else. If you have any more lost hikers or people who need saving, maybe get off your ass and come down here yourself,” he growls, and I can tell he’s hung up.
His head shaking from side to side as he comes back in, his face lighting up once he sees I’m awake.
“Good morning, princess,” he exclaims, looking at his watch. “Afternoon, really,” he adds.
“I’ve seen your dad,” he mentions, but his eyes don’t look like he wants to talk about that just yet.
“He’ll be fine,” he adds quickly. “Just more of a chip on his shoulder than anything else wrong. You wanna go see him?” he asks, surprised when I shake my head swiftly.
“Nope.” Is all I have to say about that.
“Then, whenever you feel up to it, I can take you home. As long as you promise not to set fire to the place or take a drive through a river,” he jokes, wincing once he notices my reaction.
“Too soon? Sorry. Just trying to keep things upbeat,” he adds, blowing some air out of his cheeks.
“What did dad say about me going home with you? And I hope I didn’t hear you just quitting again,” I ask, my own curiosity getting the better of me.
“One thing I will say for your dad,” he continues, starting to smile again. “He has agreed to let you stay with me, at least until he’s feeling well enough to take another swing. But he wouldn’t agree to everything,” he adds cryptically.
“Everything?” I ask, feeling my eyes widen, wondering just what he and my dad spoke about.
“Nothing,” Ben says, letting his eyes roam enough that I can tell he’s lying. But it’s a white lie and only to protect me, I’m sure.
“I’ll tell you one day, and soon enough. For today though, let’s just get you home, shall we?”
I couldn’t agree more.
Chapter Twenty
Ben
Once I know Stacey is fine and despite wanting to take her home just now, all for myself. I have to agree with the doctors and let her rest and make a full recovery.
After a whole day in a chair though, I let myself take a wander and go to the end of the hall to visit her dad, Greg.
I’m not sure I can call him my oldest or even best friend anymore, and the look on his face when he sees me says a lot.
“What the hell do you want?” he snarls, immediately asking where Stacey is and why she hasn’t come to see him yet.
I shrug.
“Stacey’s an adult, Greg. And the doctors and nurses here aren’t gonna make her do anything she doesn’t want to, including visit you.
“I suppose you’ve come to gloat?” he huffs, pulling himself up onto his pillows.
“Christ knows how we’re gonna pay for any of this,” he adds bitterly.
“Two wrecked cars in as many days and now a hospital stay? They tell me I’m here for at least a month with this break, something about a lung infection too from all that damned river water you dragged us through,” he sniffs.
“You’re welcome,” I add dryly.
“Smartass, what the hells’ that supposed to mean?” he growls again before wincing in pain.
“I already saved your ass, and the doc reckons you’ll be fine. Probably heal quicker if you ease up on trying to hate me so much. Your bills are all paid too, so neither of you has to worry about that,” I inform him.
I can afford it, but what I really want to ask for is his permission.
I’m old fashioned I guess, and while it might not be the best time I want to ask for her hand.
After everything that’s happened, I want Stacey’s name on my insurance. As my wife and I tell him so, watching the man turn so purple I almost think about calling for the nurse.