“Come with me.” The doctor looked around. “The rest of you, unless you’re his family, can visit him tomorrow.”
Rory sat back in the chair and folded her arms.
“I’m not going anywhere until I see him.”
“Ma’am—”
“I don’t care if I have to sit here all night. I am not leaving.”
“She can see him after we do,” Rona said, then smiled at Rory.
“Thank you.”
“Doctor, I’m sure he’d rather see her than us, but we get to go in first,” Stephen said as he winked at Rory, making her smile.
“Reece?” Rory said.
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m going to head to the office. Please call me and let me know how he’s doing.” Reece handed her his card, touched the brim of his hat, and strode to the elevator.
Rory watched him step inside of it, and the doors closed. She sat there in the waiting room for what seemed like hours when Wilder’s parents stopped at the elevator. Stephen pushed the button, and Rona looked at her.
“He’s all yours now, Rory.” She smiled and stepped into the elevator when the doors whooshed open. She gave Rory a wave right before the doors closed.
Rory took a deep breath, stood, and paced until a nurse came to take her back to Wilder’s room.
When she entered the room, she almost passed out to see him lying on that bed, looking pale. He had IVs hooked to him, and his eyes were closed.
She quietly made her way to a chair beside the bed, took a seat, and reached out for his hand.
“Wilder? I’m here. Stay with me. I don’t know what to do if you leave me.” She leaned closer to him. “I love you,” she whispered.
He squeezed her hand. She gazed into his face to see his eyes open.
“You love me, huh?”
“So much. I’m so sorry for not listening to you about suspecting everyone.”
“It’s all right. They had everyone fooled.”
“Yes, but I should have known better.”
“Yeah, you should have.” He smiled.
“I do love you so much.”
“I love you too,” he said softly.
“I’m going to take care of you, Wilder. I’ll help you get better,” she said.
“I know, darlin’. I’ll be fine. It’s just a shot to the arm.”
“Just a shot to the arm, he says.” She smiled when he grinned.
“Mr. Richards, you need to get some rest,” the doctor said as he entered the room.