The Rancher's Redemption

“You did the hardest part—getting him here so fast—so thank you.” Dr. Tio smiled at her and held the door open.

She went out into the hallway and had to steady herself against the wall as a wave of swirling black dots descended over her vision. A hand slid under her elbow.

“Hang in there, Lizzie. Come and sit down.”

She allowed Adam to take charge as he led her into a small waiting room at the side of the twenty-four-hour care unit. He unceremoniously eased her into a chair and shoved her head down between her knees.

“Breathe.”

She gulped in some air and eventually straightened up, her gaze settling on his unsmiling face as he sat opposite her. Oh God, he looked pissed, but when did he ever look pleased to see her? He was a big guy who never had to raise his voice to be heard because his mere presence was so intimidating. She set aside the past and focused on what he had done for her and Roman.

“Thank you for everything.”

“You’re welcome.” He nodded to her. “I’m glad I could help.”

“You were . . . amazing,” Lizzie said fervently.

“I was just in the right place at the right time.” He shrugged his broad shoulders. “It was stop and help you, or run you over.”

Lizzie opened her mouth to reply, and then studied him. “Was that a joke?”

“Might have been.”

“Well, whatever, I really appreciate what you did,” Lizzie said firmly. “I’m sure you have things to do so I’ll thank you again.”

He raised an eyebrow, got to his feet, and headed out toward the main office of the doctor’s practice. When the door shut behind him, Lizzie let out a shaky breath. He was just so big and unapproachable that he made her act like an idiot. He always had even when they were kids. As a scared newcomer to the town and school, it had taken her a while to realize that behind his impenetrable front, he was the kindest, sweetest, guy you would ever meet. Not that there was much evidence of that these days. After Louisa died. the joy had drained right out of him, and from what she’d seen in the intervening years, it had never returned.

She went to take out her phone to call Gabby and realized it wasn’t in her pocket. With a silent wail, she searched around the floor, peeked into Roman’s room, but couldn’t see it anywhere. She reluctantly concluded she’d have to retrace her steps to Adam’s truck.

Of course, when she got to the parking lot, Adam was already standing by the passenger side of his truck. He saw her and silently held up her phone.

“Thank you,” Lizzie said for what felt like the twenty millionth time. “It must have fallen out of my pocket when I got in the truck.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I’m not normally this klutzy,” Lizzie blurted out.

“That’s not what I remember,” Adam said as he relocked the truck. “You were always losing stuff when we were at school.”

“I’ve changed.” For some reason, Lizzie wasn’t prepared to let it go. “I have a child now. I’m a responsible adult.”

He nodded and started back toward the building.

“Where are you going?” Lizzie asked.

He swung around and looked down at her from his considerable height. “I offered to pick up Carlos’s prescriptions for Ines. I’m just going to turn them in at the pharmacy and wait.”

He didn’t say if that’s okay by you, but Lizzie heard it regardless.

“How are they doing?” Lizzie asked.

“Not great.” He half turned away. “You should visit them.”

“I do.” Lizzie said the words quietly to herself once he’d moved out of earshot. He’d done her a huge favor today. She really didn’t want to get into an argument with him about her best friend Louisa’s parents. They had been very good to her after Roman was born, and her son loved going up to the ranch to see them.

Clutching her phone to her chest, she went back into Dr. Tio’s, and set about texting Gabby to let her know that Roman was going to be okay. She also texted Yvonne to give her a heads-up about maybe not being in the café tomorrow. Both women replied and offered their help, which made her want to cry again. Despite having to bring Roman up by herself, she’d never felt alone in Morgantown.