FourteenBraxtonTwo Weeks LaterThe frantic way Rowen is rushing out of the main office and moving towards me has me stopping what I’m doing, wiping my hands on a rag, and meeting her halfway there.
“What’s wrong?” She doesn’t say a word. Instead, she face-plants into my chest, not caring about the grease and motor oil.
“It’s Mom. Dad just called to let me know they admitted her. She has a fever, and fluid has built up in her lungs again. If things don’t subside, they’re talking about putting her in the Intensive Care Unit.” She’s sobbing to the point of me not being able to understand her.
“Alright, let me go clean up, and we’ll go right now.” I don’t apologize or say anything else at this point. I’m not an idiot. No words will make her okay. She just needs me to be there for her.
“It’s okay. I’ll have Peyton come get me if you need to finish up your work,” she says even though she’s full of shit and trying to give me an out.
“Rowen, there’s nothing more important than you. If you need me, that’s where I’ll be.” I make sure she’s looking at me, giving her the words and letting her know there’s no other place I’d rather be.
“Okay. I’ll go close down the office while you change. Thank you, Braxton.” I kiss her forehead and say, “There’s nothing to thank me for. We’re in this together, no matter how good or bad it is.”
When she turns to leave, I let my two employees know they’ll have to close up shop tonight, but I’ll be here in the morning to open, and we’ll switch the phones over to the call service Rowen insisted on setting up. They have no problems with it. Hell, they’ll probably rake in the overtime tonight and tomorrow if need be. Though, I did tell them I’ll at least be here to open up the shop and get things started. But after that, my main concern will be with Rowen and her family.
Hell, Marty and Craig have opened and closed on more than one occasion when my own parents needed me. I apologize and thank them all in one fell swoop, then turn to head into the office. My clothes are in there, and I might even take a quick shower if Rowen has enough time. There’s nothing worse than being in your stink of sweet and grease.
“Do we have ten minutes? I’m gonna shower real quick if we do?” I ask Rowen. She’s still at the computer, biting at her lower lip.
“Yeah, Dad mentioned it’d be a sitting around and waiting game. Please don’t rush. When I heard the news, the only person I wanted was you.” Her eyes are watery, and I know she’s about to break down.
“Alright, hold those at bay. Let me at least get cleaned up so I can hold you properly,” I tell her, already stripping out of my coveralls.
“Only you could make me smile when I’m ready to fall apart.” Rowen wipes under her eyes.
“Damn it, give me two minutes, and you can collapse in my arms,” I say, already knowing if I go to her, it’ll delay us getting to the hospital even more because then we’ll have to swing by my place for her to change clothes. Something that she’s done the past two weeks is stay at my place more than her parents, and slowly her clothes have overtaken the house as well as all of her other stuff that she uses on a daily basis. Even some of the blankets her mom and grandmother knitted along the way are draped across the foot of the bed, and I’m not mad about it.
I make quick work of shucking off my clothes, step into the cold-as-balls shower, soap up, rinse off, and then step out with a towel wrapped around my waist. One of the smartest things old man Red did was put in a shower attached to the office.
When I step out, still slightly damp, I see Rowen’s head tipped down, looking over some kind of paperwork on the desk.
“Come on.” I walk over, pick up her hand, and lead her over to the couch.
“I’m okay, I promise. She’s going to be okay, right? Like, she has to. I can’t lose my mom, Braxton.” I no sooner sit down on the couch, pulling her to sit on my lap, before she collapses, the weight of the world firmly on her shoulders, tears pouring down her cheeks, and body shaking as she lets it out.
“Let it out, siren,” I coo to her while rubbing her back and holding her.
It doesn’t take her long to pull herself together. Something I’ve noticed about Rowen is how damn strong she is. No matter what’s thrown her way, she handles it. “Okay, I’ve got that out. Now I won’t do it at the hospital. I don’t know what I’d do without you, Brax.”