“What did you say?”
“If she dies, Ryan dies. He killed her. I’ll make sure he never sees another day, and then, I will follow her because there’s no point in living without her.”
Sandy cleared her throat, drawing their attention. “Am I interrupting, or do you want to keep measuring your dicks between young and old?” she asked.
“Is Tabby…” He couldn’t bring himself to say it.
“She is fine. Stable. There were a few complications because of her other injuries but she’s going to make a full recovery. I don’t even see her being in the hospital all that long. I would advise she not step in front of a knife again. It’s not good for her.”
Simon stepped back, collapsing into his chair. He didn’t care who saw as he wept tears of happiness.Chapter NineteenTabitha sat up in bed as Darcy took a seat.
“I’ve been a horrible friend,” she said.
“Oh, please, you’ve been an awesome friend.”
“I don’t even know what’s going on in your life anymore.”
Tabitha smiled and touched the ring around her neck, and then she glanced at her friend. She and Darcy had always been close, not as close as she was to Daisy. The other woman was older than her, but they were able to share secrets.
She lifted the ring out of her nightgown. She hated being in the hospital, but her parents had somehow been able to wrangle her to stay until she was fully recovered. No doubt talking to Sandy and a nice big donation to the hospital to get what they wanted. They always had been able to get away with that.
“I’m married,” she said.
“Holy shit. No one else knows?”
“Daisy, Anthony, Miles, my sister.”
Darcy looked at the ring. “To Simon?”
“Yep.” She chuckled. “Who else could you possibly think?”
“I don’t know.”
“Anyway. We’re married.” Simon had been able to visit her sparingly and her dad was always around.
“I don’t know if I want to be anywhere near that revelation.”
They both smiled. “I don’t mind. After the summer, I’m heading to Piston County to be with him. It is going to be a permanent feature.”
“You’ve made your decision?” she asked.
“Yeah, I have. I decided to pick love.”
“That’s good.” Darcy sat on the edge of the bed.
She enjoyed her friend’s company, but Tiny was there to take over and Darcy hugged her tight, leaving her alone and promising to visit again real soon.
Her dad entered the room and took a seat. This time, he didn’t have a book and she stared right at him, waiting.
He ran a hand down his face. “We could have lost you.”
“You didn’t lose me.”
“What were you thinking?” he asked.
“I wasn’t thinking anything other than not to get stabbed.” She offered him a smile.
“That’s not funny.”
“I’m not trying to be funny. You want an explanation for why I tried to protect the love of my life.”
“We can’t lose you.”
“Dad, you’re not going to lose me.”
“Do you think I don’t know what has been going on?” he asked. “I see the way you look at Simon. I always hoped that this infatuation you had with him would fade.”
“Dad, please.”
“I … when you’re in Piston County, I can’t protect you and right now, I don’t think he can.”
“Do you believe that? I know Simon, and he’s already dying inside that I got stabbed. Believe me, he can take care of me and protect me. I love him. Don’t ruin that. Don’t destroy what we have.”
“I always promised I’d keep you safe.”
“I’m sure Grandpa Ned felt the same way about Mom.”
Tiny chuckled. “Damn, one moment you’re this sweet little girl. The next, you’re getting into fights and taking a knife. Getting beat up. Where did the time go? Did I miss it all?”
She shook her head. “You didn’t miss a moment. You were always there.”
Tiny moved to the bed and sat close to her.
She put her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes. “I love you, Dad.”
“Oh, honey, I love you too. I can’t stand the thought of anything bad happening to you. It kills me.”
“Nothing bad will happen. I’m fine. I’m safe.”
She took comfort in her father’s arms. She would always be his little girl.
“There’s someone who’d like to see you. Lash agreed to the meeting as it’s only him.”
She frowned as Tiny got up off the bed and went to the door. Luke stood with a bouquet of flowers.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for him to be here,” she said.
“I come as a peace offering,” Luke said.
She looked toward her dad, shocked he would agree to this. “Dad, this isn’t right.”
“He’s spoken to Lash, honey. His dad has, and well, as you can see, we’re not kicking his ass. His dad is down in the main reception. I’ll be right outside the door.”
She opened her mouth to tell him to stop, but it was too late.