Even when everyone kept telling her she didn’t need to keep the baby, she’d been determined to do exactly that. She had fought against everyone, and yet, she’d lost the baby. Then, too soon, he’d lost her. He didn’t need to keep remembering those first few days. The helpless feeling had never gone away. This was one of the reasons why he’d never allowed himself to fall for a woman. The control they had was too great, but he couldn’t stop his feelings for Robin. From the moment he let her in, there was no letting go.
****
The days turned to weeks and then into a month. Preacher divided his time between his club, his businesses, and Robin. It was hard not to put her first. The club, they shared in keeping an eye on her. Bear was at the hospital constantly, and so was he. He only picked the men he trusted to keep her safe.
The bruises began to fade on her face, and one day as he sat there, Randall stood over her, lifting up her wrist, staring at his watch.
Preacher watched her, waiting.
All of a sudden, she opened her eyes.
It was like magic.
One moment, they were closed and the machines were doing their merry little show of keeping everything intact and in place. The next, they were beeping. Going crazy as her heart rate sped up.
She sat up in bed and started clawing at her face, trying to yank her breathing tube out.
“I need some help in here,” Randall said, calling out to be heard. Nurses and doctors rushed into the room.
Preacher stood up, wanting to help. He saw the panic in her eyes. The fear.
Anyone would be able to see it if they only took a few minutes to stare at her. She was trying to claw at her face, but with one hand bandaged, she struggled.
His heart was pounding.
What should he do? There was nothing he could do to help her. He wasn’t a doctor and seeing her like this, it broke his heart. The panic, the fear, it was tangible.
“What’s going on?” Bishop asked. He held a small bouquet of flowers, tulips and Preacher smelled the other women on his body.
Not caring about his son’s selfish ways, he stared at his woman, amazed that she had woken up. He’d seen her eyes open and it was beautiful to witness. He never thought he’d ever been so freaking happy than he was at that moment.
“Robin, I need you to calm down. I’m going to take the breathing tube out. You’re going to be in pain. You’ve been in an accident.”
As Randall took charge, making her listen to him, she stopped trying to fight the machine. Preacher struggled to watch as they removed the tube and she gasped, taking in deep breaths.
“Water?”
Her voice was croaky but just hearing the sound of her voice was sweet bliss to his ears.
Randall handed her a glass. “Okay, Robin. It’s good to see you. This is good news.”
The nurses and fellow doctors were all nodding and confirming their agreement. It was fucking brilliant news.
Robin kept on drinking until she finally stopped and turned to look at Randall.
“Who’s Robin?” She frowned.
“Robin?”
She nodded.
Randall looked toward him.
“Do you know who I am?” Randall asked.
“You’re a doctor.”
“Yes, but who am I?” He hid his nametag and she kept on frowning.
“I don’t know who you are.”
“What’s your name?”
Robin opened her mouth and closed it. “I don’t know.”
“Do you know who these men are?” Randall asked, pointing toward him and Bishop.
“No. I don’t. I don’t remember.”
“Do you remember where you were a month ago?” Randall asked.
She looked down at the bed, and he watched her try to come up with an answer, but nothing was there. “I don’t remember.”
One of the monitors started to beep erratically again.
“I don’t remember. What does that mean? I don’t understand. Why can’t I remember?” she screamed, starting to cry.
Preacher wanted to comfort her. But how do you comfort a woman when she didn’t know who he was? He couldn’t just go and take her into his arms.
Randall cleared the room. Nurses and doctors left, and finally he and Bishop stood at the door.
“She doesn’t remember anything?” Preacher asked.
“I need to have a few minutes with her. I need to understand the extent of her amnesia. If it’s everything she knows or just facts,” Randall said.
“Wait. What does this mean?” Bishop asked.
“It means she’s very sick and is going to need a lot of help. I will know more soon, but for now, you’re going to have to wait.” Randall closed the door.
Preacher looked through the window and saw her staring right back at him. Her head was tilted to the side and he watched her.
He’d never been so fucking nervous in all his life.
“What the fuck does this mean? What does any of this mean?” Bishop asked.