Hunter (Stud Ranch 2)

“Doing nothing is making a choice.”

She clutched her dad’s hands.

“I’m scared.”

“I know.”

Her eyes moved from her still form on the bed to Hunter, fighting against the orderly, trying to get back to her.

I want a future with you. I want it all. I want to wake up with you every morning and have babies with you and grow old together.

Was she still running? Even now?

Wasn’t Hunter and the life they might have worth facing her worst fears?

It was then that she knew what she had to do. She just hoped she wasn’t too late.

“I love you, Daddy.” She squeezed his hand.

He smiled and it was full of the morning sunlight. “I know that, too. Love you, baby.”

And then she started running.

Toward Hunter.

Toward a future.

Toward life.

Chapter 28

HUNTER

“I’ve got a pulse!”

“Eye movement.”

The orderly holding Hunter back released him and Hunter ran toward the bed.

“Isobel!” he called out. He stayed several feet behind the doctor and nurses, not wanting to get in their way.

Especially when he saw that they were right, Isobel was blinking and coughing and moving her head like she was trying to get her bearings.

“Bel!” he called, laughing and crying at the same time. One of the nurses moved aside and Hunter couldn’t help himself. He fit himself into the empty spot at Isobel’s side and grabbed her hand that didn’t have the IV in it.

“I’m here,” he said, lifting her hand and kissing it. “Bel, I’m here.”

Isobel’s eyes had been flickering wildly around but at his touch and voice, they settled on his face.

Her mouth opened up and it seemed like she was trying to say something.

She winced, dragging her hand to her throat.

“Water,” Hunter called out. “We need some water over here.”

Hunter had no idea who he was barking orders to or if any second they were going to try to boot him from the room again.

Screw that. His Isobel was alive and awake and nothing was going to drag him away from her side except the goddamned reaper himself.