Chapter 14
Landon
WE’RE BACK AFTER A WEEK away, and all I want to do is take her out of town again. Each night after fucking her and then making sweet love, I hold her in my arms and watch her sleep. My beautiful Ashley is back for good. I don’t need her to continue reassuring me, because when I’m with her, the feeling of home comes over us, and we’re where we belong.
With each other.
I hated leaving her this morning. Before I left, I looked at her again, seeing her hair fanned over the pillows and the peaceful look on her face made me hard again. I’m never going to get enough of her.
I forced myself to leave the house and started work quickly. Being gone pushed me back a little so I had twice as much work to complete.
The hot sun beats down on me, so I take off my white tee shirt and wipe it over my face, tossing it to the side. I’ve been working since five this morning and now it’s almost noon. I reach for my phone and realize it’s at home.
“Shit,” I mutter, and drop the shovel so I could go get it and check on Ashley.
“Landon!”
I turn to see Memphis walking toward me.
“What’s going on?” I ask him.
“You don’t have your phone with you?”
“I left it at home. Why? What’s going on?”
Memphis sighs and takes off his hat before he speaks again. “Ashley’s at the hospital . . .”
I don’t let him finish because I’m running toward my truck and driving like hell to get to her.
When I park my truck, I run inside, and nearly take down an orderly. The reception booth is a few feet away so I sprint until I’m there.
“Ashley . . .” I say breathlessly, “Ashley Monroe. Please.”
The receptionist smiles and types on the computer. “Are you family?”
“No. I’m her boyfriend.”
“I’m sorry. Family only. I can’t let you back there.”
“Ma’am. I am begging you to please let me back there. That woman is the love of my life and we’ve been apart for seven years. We’re finally back together and I need to see her. Please. She’s my world. My life. My all. I need to be there for her. Please. I am begging you.”
She wipes a tear from her cheek and nods. “Okay. But, if anyone asks, you’re her husband. Got it?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“It looks like she’s still in the emergency room.” She writes on a label and hands it to me. “Follow the red signs and then the receptionist there will help you.”
“Thank you.”
I run down the hall, following the red signs, and when I get to the next receptionist, she immediately takes me to Ashley. My heart drops when I hear the machines from her room. I’m terrified to walk in and see her.
I’m shifting my weight from foot to foot, staring at the cream-colored curtains that are between us. If I take a few steps forward, then I’ll be in her room and we’ll be facing each other. I’ll see the wires hooked up on her and I’ll see her in pain.
“Be a man,” I mutter and walk in to see her staring at me.
“Took you long enough to come in.”
“You knew I was here. Standing outside the door?”
“Yes.” That’s all she says before turning her head away. “I’m fine. Just got a little dizzy and nauseous. The doctor wants to keep me here overnight for observation, so I’m waiting for a room on a different floor.”
“I’ll stay with you.”
“I tried calling you, but you didn’t answer so I had to call Memphis. He got ahold of Kemper.”
“I’m sorry, baby. I left my phone home. As soon as Memphis told me you were here, I rushed over. I’m so fucking sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
“Where’s Kemper?”
“He left to get Mama. I promise you I’m fine.”
“Well, I’ll feel better once I hear that from the doctors,” I tell her and sit down on the chair beside her.
I can tell she’s about to cry from the way her eyes glaze over and she refuses to look at me. Her hands are gripping the blanket and when I look back at her face, I see the tears rolling down her cheek. Immediately, my hand reaches for hers, and I’m holding it tightly, letting her know I’m here and I’ll be her rock. Her everything. Whatever she needs.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“I know,” she whispers.
“Then why are you crying?”
“I’m so scared, Landon.”
I lean over and kiss her forehead, whispering how much I love her and that she’s going to be fine.
Once she’s in her own room, away from the ER, I run back to the house and grab everything I can think of to ensure she’s comfortable. Mama Monroe, Kemper, Leigh, and Shelby are with her now so she’s not alone.
Before I left, the nurse took her vitals and informed us her blood pressure was still low, so they were going to monitor that and run more tests.
The silence meets me when I rush into our bedroom. Every little trace of Ashley is around me. Her hair ties scattered across the vanity I have for her and there’s some on the nightstand on her side of the bed. The pink slippers she loves so much are by the door, so I reach down to pick them up and hug them to my chest.
If only I had my fucking cell phone then she wouldn’t have worried and it would’ve been me taking care of her. It would’ve been me putting her in the car, comforting her, and holding her fucking hand. I shake my head and wipe the tears from my face. I’ll do anything it takes to make sure she gets the best care. I don’t give a shit if it’s a cold or the flu. Whatever’s wrong with her, she’ll have the best doctors and nurses.
I pull myself together and remember I need to hurry so I can get back to her. I find her bag in the closet and careful place her things inside. I’m opening all the drawers, rushing in and out of the bathroom, and rummaging through the closet to get her things. My mind’s racing and I check my phone to make sure I didn’t miss a text or call. I check to see that my phone’s on ring and it’s on the highest volume.
A picture of us on the nightstand grabs my attention. Slowly, I turn around, and grab the frame, staring at her beautiful smile. I’m clinging onto the picture and praying she’s going to be okay.
In this moment, I make myself a promise that Ashley will never cry or feel pain again. She’ll always be happy with me and I’ll give her the best life. I’ll put the plan in motion for the bed and breakfast she wants, and one day I’ll put a ring on her finger and give her my last name.