A Daring Proposal (23 page)

No, she wasn’t going to do this. The past was the past and she had to focus on the future. Hope still lived as long as Jed was still in town. He planned on leaving the hospital tomorrow. Steve had called her earlier in the evening with that news. He had not told her where Jed planned to go. She didn’t bother hoping it would be to her, but prayed he would at the very least go to Dale’s. Unfortunately, she knew Jed’s personal need for space. When he was a teen, she would often find him sitting in the middle of a pasture as far away from everyone and everything as he could get.

Remembering those times, she hoped he wouldn’t decide to barricade himself in a hotel somewhere. He needed his family around him. She just hoped he would accept it rather than try to fight through recovery on his own. Basically, she prayed he didn
’t let pride blind him to their love and concern, the way she had allowed hers to keep them apart. That thought reminded her of when she entered the hospital a little while ago.

Passing the nurses’ station, the woman had smiled at her, but it was a sad smile. Chaney knew she felt sorry for her, knowing that Jed had specifically requested his wife not see him. It had been easy to swallow her pride then and promise not to go in his room. She was thankful when the nurse nodded.

After standing here and watching him through the window for an hour, Chaney understood his request. She and Jed were more alike than he wanted to believe. He needed time to come to terms with things. He probably wasn’t even sure what he needed to come to terms with. She hadn’t until Belle had all but kicked her in the head earlier in the day.

It was hard to believe someone could love you when you’d spent the majority of your life thinking otherwise. Someone telling you, even someone you loved couldn’t change that. It was something you had to realize
on your own.

Belle deserved a lot of the credit for making Chaney believe it, but the possibility had started weeks ago. It all started when Jed forced himself into her life at the Low Down Bar and Grill. Sure, he’d had his own agenda when he had agreed to the marriage, but she knew that wasn’t why he accepted her proposal.

Jed never put him or his needs first. Even though he hated the ranch because it represented everything that had come between them, he accepted her proposal. Now she knew why. He loved her. A man wouldn’t agree to something that would cause him pain unless that was true. Her job now was to make him believe she loved him, because she did, with all her heart. If it meant giving him some time and space to realize it, she would give him that.

Still, her heart clenched in her chest with fear that even if she did as he asked, he wouldn’t believe her. The way things looked, if Jed got his way, she might never get the chance to tell him she loved him. She understood he needed time to accept things, but before she abided by his wishes, she needed to touch him one more time. Even if he didn’t know she was there, she had to tell him
.

After looking around to make sure none of the nurses were watching her, Chaney pushed the door
open.

The moment she stepped into the room an uneasy feeling came over her. That eerie, clammy skin feeling that always came over her right before something bad happened. It stole her breath and kicked her heart rate into high gear.

In quick strides, she crossed to the bed. Before her hand even touched his face, she felt the heat of his fever. Jed was on fire. Her hand cupped his cheek and his face turned to her. His eyes opened but she could see they were unfocused. Then he smiled.

“Chaney, girl,” he croaked through a dry throat.

Pressing urgently on the call button beside his bed Chaney tried to suppress the panic that threatened.

“I love you,” she said, stroking his face. She leaned forward and placed a quick kiss to his dry lips before a nurse burst into the room.

“He’s on fire,” she told the nurse.

The nurse did a quick check on Jed’s temperature then hurried to the door. “I’ll page the doctor.”

Chaney felt him drifting away from her again. No, she couldn’t lose him. She wouldn’t let fate play such a nasty trick on both of them.

“I love you, Jed,” she said again clasping his hand. “You fight this. Ash and I are waiting, you hear me? Jed, do you hear me? I love you.”

His lips smiled but his eyes remained closed. A flurry of activity pushed Chaney from his bedside, leaving her alone with her fear and insecurity. Had he heard her? Would he remember? She wouldn’t leave until she knew for sure.

The next two days passed in slow motion for Chaney. She refused to leave the hospital. The doctor tried ordering her to leave for her baby’s sake, but she couldn’t leave. If she left, it would be like giving up on Jed. She wouldn’t do that. So she ate whatever was put in front of her; changed into clean clothes Belle brought; and sle
pt with her head on Jed’s hand.

When she wasn’t beside his bed, she was pacing outside his door waiting for the doctor to check him over and give her an update. No one could console her, no one could convince her she should leave or get some rest. She was not leaving before Jed woke up and she was certain he knew she loved him.

It took twenty-four hours before the fever broke. Jed still didn’t wake up. The doctor said his immune system had been working so hard to fight the staph infection and fever he was exhausted, it was normal. He would be fine now. Still, Chaney wouldn’t leave until she saw those gorgeous blues eyes open and focused.

Chapter
Sixteen

Jed slowly opened his eyes. He blinked twice and closed them again. It was dark. He must have slept longer than he meant to. Steve must have come and gone already. It looked like the doctor would at least get his wish of Jed spending one more night in the hospital. He opened his eyes again trying to see in the dim light.

He tried to lift his hand to rub the sleep from his eyes, but felt a weight holding it down. Trying to focus he looked down and
felt his heart do a back flip.

Jed had been dreaming about Chaney. Not trusting his eyes, he moved his fingers a bit and felt her soft hair slip between them. This was no dream. It was the real thing and damn if she wasn’t beautiful.

Then he remembered telling Steve he didn’t want Chaney at the hospital.

“Chaney?” he whispered hoarsely. What was wrong with his throat? “Chaney?” he tried again. This time she stirred then opened her eyes.

“Jed!” she exclaimed jumping out of her chair.

Her hand stroked his forehead a moment before her lips brus
hed his in a whisper of a kiss.

“Chaney, what are…” he stopped to clear his throat.

“It’s okay, sweetheart. Here, have a sip of water,” Chaney told him holding a straw to his lips. “I should call the doctor,” she said pulling the straw away.

With what little energy he could muster, why was he weak as a newborn colt, Jed reached up and grabbed her wrist before she pushed the button. “No.” He swallowed again and though it hurt like hell he asked, “What are you doing here? Told Steve--”

“I know what you told Steve and I was going to abide by your wishes.”

“Shouldn’t--” he started coughing. What the hell was the deal with his throat? And his lips? They felt like chipping paint on an old barn.

He saw Chaney push the call button, but he didn’t have the strength to stop her. Maybe the doctor could give him something to help his throat. Then he could find out what Chaney was doing here when he had specifically said she shouldn’t come.

It took only a minute for the doctor to walk into the room. That caused Jed another moment’s pause. What was the doctor doing here in the middle of the night?

“Mr. Sampson, welcome back, again.” The doctor grinned as he looked over Jed’s chart. “That’s starting to become a pat phrase when it comes to your family.”

Jed was confused. At least his head wasn’t pounding like the last time he woke up. That held promise for him eventually understanding what was going on. “Why is she here?”

“You were very sick, Mr. Sampson,” the doctor said.

“I said no visitors when,” another coughing fit seized him. Chaney helped him sit up and rubbed his back until it passed. Her touch felt so good, but he didn’t deserve it. He pulled his hand from hers and lay back against the pillow effectively forcing her to remove her other hand from his back. It worked except she began stroking his forehead instead of his back.

“Chaney,” he warned, his tone even harsher than he planned with his sore throat. She pulled her hand back, a sad expression replacing the one of concern on her face. He turned away unable to bear it. “No visitors when I woke up this afternoon.”

“That was two days ago, Mr. Sampson,” the doctor informed him. “That night you spiked a very high fever. You had a staph infection and in your already weakened condition, your body had a hard time fighting it. You’re still not out of the woods.”

“Still,” he felt another cough rising as he spoke and reached for the water only to find Chaney lifting it to his lips already. Jed wanted to push it away to let her know he didn’t want her help, but he didn’t have the strength to fight or to deal with the coughing. He accepted the straw.

After several sips, he put his head back against the pillows. “Should be home,” he said closing his eyes for a moment.

“We’ll have you home soon,” Chaney said while her hand stroked his temple.

Jed’s eyes popped back open. “No. You should be home not here.”

“Jed, I--”

He stared at her so hard his eyes hurt and she must have gotten the message because she didn’t bother finishing t
he sentence. “Go home, Chaney.”

She didn’t move.

“Please,” he forced through his clenched teeth. How long was he supposed to pretend he didn’t care? How long would she keep playing this charade? He didn’t care what the damned hospital personnel thought, but obviously, Chaney did.

He turned to the doctor. “No visitors or I’m gone,” he choked out.

“Come, Mrs. Sampson. I think it would be best for now if you do as your husband requests.” The doctor led her from Jed’s room.

While the doctor was in the hallway with Chaney, Jed released the metal railing on one side of the bed and swung his legs over. He took a moment and a deep breath before allowing his feet to touch the floor. The cool solid surface felt good to his skin. With his free hand on the bedside table, he pushed himself to a standing position.

“What the hell are you doing?” the doctor demanded entering the room at the same moment Jed stood.

“Nice bedside manner, Doc,” Jed said before leaning heavily on the table as a bout of cough
ing took hold.

“I’ve found nice doesn’t work with you,” the doctor replied as he stepped up beside Jed. “Firm orders and demands seem to be the only things that get results. Get back in bed, Mr. Sampson.”

The coughing passed and Jed took in a deep lungful of air. “I don’t think so,” he said in a raspy voice. Pulling the IV with him, Jed took the few steps required to reach the closet.

“And what is it
you think you’re going to do?”

“Leave,” Jed replied. His heart raced at the slight exertion. He pressed his hand against the wall for support while he caught his breath before opening the closet and pulling his folded jeans from the shelf.

“You are in no condition to go anywhere.”

“I’m in no condition to stay here and fight with everyone that comes to visit either.”

“I don’t understand.”

Jed dragged his jeans and the IV to a nearby chair and sat down heavily. “I don’t want them here,” he said struggling to get one leg in his jeans. Underwear could wait until the next time he got dressed. “But I know they won’t listen, so I’m leaving.”

“You need medication and rest. You’re not strong enough--”

“I’m strong enough to get in a cab and go to a hotel. I can rest there. As long as it isn’t knock out drops in the medicine you give me I’ll take it with me.”

“Mr. Sampson, I cannot in good conscience approve this action.”

“I’m not asking, Doc. I’m telling.” Jed had miraculously managed to get both legs in his pants. He stood and pulled them up. Holding up his arm, he looked at the doctor. “Are you g
oing to take this out or am I?”

After a long silent moment, the doctor walked over to Jed. “Sit down, I’ll do it. Obviously, you know I can’t keep you from doing this but I wish you would reconsider. Your body is still weak.”

Jed remained silent.

“If you won’t do it for yourself, do it for your wife. She is extremely worried about you. It isn’t good for her to be under so much stress at this time in her pregnancy.”

“You said she was all right,” Jed said accusation clear in his tone.

“She is,” the doctor replied. “But, the first trimester is the most difficult and with everything she has been through recently and
the previous miscarriage. . .”

The doctor’s words trailed off as he finished removing the IV and placed a bandage over the hole. Jed rubbed awkwardly where the tape had been with his left hand while he considered what t
he doctor had and had not said.

“What you’re telling me is if she loses the baby it will be my fault.”
What else is new?

“No,” the doctor said pulling a stool closer and sitting down. “I’m trying to take care of both of my patients. You shouldn’t be alone right now. Between your injury, illness and depression, it isn’t--”

“I’m not depressed,” Jed hissed. The way the doctor cocked his head and considered Jed before replying Jed felt like an ant under a magnifying glass.

“Okay, what do you call pushing everyone that cares about you away? Refusing treatment and ignoring all attempts at dialogue?”

Jed’s eyes narrowed. How was he supposed to argue when the man was right? Worse than that, he knew it. Jed would be damned before he would admit to such a weakness out loud. “It’s called self-preservation, Doc. Don’t waste your breath asking me to talk about it. I’m not into psychobabble.”

The doctor grinned but seemed to decide not to push for more. “You still shouldn’t be left alone and the added stress your wife has been dealing with--”

“I get it, Doc,” Jed interrupted. Already worn out from arguing, he rubbed his eyes hoping the doctor got the message and didn’t continue. Jed wanted, no needed time alone to sort through all the conflicting thoughts and emotions in his head. He also needed his daughter. If nothing else, Ash would lift his spirits. However, he was in no condition to take care of a six-year old.

Then there was Chaney. He knew the doctor was right. Chaney looked exhausted and she had been through a lot, both physically and emotionally. Even if all she felt was guilt about him being shot while trying to save her ranch, it was too much. His hand moved from his eyes to the back of his neck. He didn’t massage it so much as provide more support for his tired, heavy head. When he opened his eyes, the doctor was sit
ting patiently in front of him.

Jed considered the man’s patient manner. The doctor was waiting for something, but he had to know by now Jed wasn’t staying at the hospital. Then a light bulb, dim as it was in
his weakened state, blinked on.

Chaney hadn’t left the hospital. She was waiting for the doctor’s report on this discussion.

A plan started to form in his head. Jed stood and reached behind his back for the ties to the hospital gown. He reached in the closet for the shirt folded there. When the doctor didn’t move Jed turned and looked at him.

“I’m slow, but not stupid. Chaney doesn’t listen to anyone. How far down the hall is she waiting?” he asked glancing over his shoulder. At least the doctor had the decency to look chagrined as he helped Jed pull the shirt onto his bandaged shoulder. “That’s what I figured. To be honest I was wondering how I was going to get past her without a fight.”

“I told her I would try and talk you into staying and she wanted to wait and see how it went.”

“Right,” Jed replied. Chaney wouldn’t have let him walk out of the hospital without her any more than he would have let her walk out the night she’d been thrown by Sterling. Jed didn’t make the leap in hope that it meant more than her not wanting
to feel guilty if he collapsed.

“Tell her to bring the truck around. I’ll meet her out front.”

***

Chaney glanced sideways at Jed. He had climbed in the cab of the truck in silence and remained that way. He sat with his eyes closed and his head tilted back against the headrest. The cuff of the empty sleeve that should have held his left arm was tucked into the sling cradling his arm. His good arm rested on the door, his long tapered fingers splayed easily along the rounded edge. To someone unfamiliar with him it would appear Jed was sleeping. Chaney knew better. He was waiting.

Waiting for her to ask. It didn’t matter what she asked, just that she be the one to open the conversation. Hell, she couldn’t out wait him anymore. If she wanted to know what was on Jed’s mind she would have to ask.

She decided to start with the first priority. “Which ranch am I taking you to?” Chaney hated having to ask that. Being his wife there shouldn’t be a question, but then theirs wasn’t a typical marriage.

“Yours.”

All that moved were his lips. He didn’t open his eyes, turn his head, or twitch a finger but he might as well have hit her with a two by four. It couldn’t have hurt more than his resigned and unhappy tone of his voice
.

That one word gave her a wealth of information. They still weren’t together. He hadn’t forgiven her. Which made her wonder, suspicious even. “Why?”

“You don’t want me there?”

This time he did look at her. His left eyebrow
was arrowed high above his eye.

“Yes. I mean, I’m glad, but you’ve made it clear you don’t want me around. So why would you . . . unless the doctor said something about me. Is that it? You’re coming back to the ranch out of guilt? If that’s the case, don’t bother. I’m fine and so is the baby.”

Her breathing was rapid and her pulse raced. Chaney gripped the wheel tight.
Damn him. Damn him for making me so defensive. If he weren’t--Lord, what is wrong with me? Why am I still carrying around all this damned pride?

“Don’t worry, Chaney, it isn’t about you. I’m being totally selfish.”

Now Chaney was really suspicious. Jed was one of the least selfish people she knew. Hadn’t he been running himself ragged for the past few weeks taking care of two ranches, working in his shop, and saving her ranch even though he hated it?

“Right,” she said sarcastically.