“He can rest after I see him.”
Rory looked to the doorway to see Nick entering. She stood and walked to him.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Nick.” She hugged him.
“I’m sorry to meet again under these circumstances—”
“I’m not dead, Nick,” Wilder snapped.
Nick chuckled. “I didn’t mean it that way.” He let go of Rory and strolled to the bed.
“How do you feel?”
“I’ll be all right—”
“You know, sometimes I could just knock you on your ass,” Nick said with a grin.
“Wouldn’t take much to do that right now.” Wilder looked at Rory. “He’s always telling me that. He doesn’t mean it. It’s just big brother talk.”
Rory laughed. “He’s not that much bigger than you.”
“Hey, I’m six five, shorty here is six four.” Nick winked.
“He needs to rest,” the doctor said.
“Yes, sir. I’m sorry to get here so late. I’ll be by tomorrow, Wild.” Nick turned to Rory. “Make sure he gets some rest. I’ll see you both soon.”
Rory watched as he touched the brim of his hat and strode from the room.
“He’s worried about you,” Rory said.
“He’s a pain in the ass, but I love him.” Wilder grinned.
“Mr. Richards, I’ll give you something for the pain,” a nurse said when he entered the room and inserted a needle into the IV.
“I’ll take it.”
“We’ll talk about this when you’re up for it,” Rory said.
“Rory…”
“When you get out of here, Wilder. We’ll discuss it. Right now, I am too worried about you.”
“I was right,” he said.
“About what?”
“You are the most stubborn woman I have ever met.”
“Yep, but you love me.”
“Yes,” he slurred as the pain medicine quickly entered his bloodstream.
Rory took a seat in the chair, held his hand, and watched him fall asleep.
****
Wilder woke up and blinked his eyes at the glaring lights overhead. He glanced around the room and remembered he was in the hospital. He swore at the pain when he moved his arm.