Broken Love (Broken 4)

The feel of Ryder’s hand brushing against my forehead was calming.

I felt myself slipping into sleep as the pain finally faded away.

“Never going hiking again,” I whispered as sleep took over.

I PACED ACROSS the tile floor as I waited along with everyone else in the waiting room.

“Ryder, please stop pacing and sit down next to me.”

I glanced over toward my mother and gave her a faint smile. “I can’t sit down, Mom.”

“How about a cup of coffee then?” Dani said as she placed her hand on my arm.

My eyes looked up at the clock on the white wall. It had been almost two hours since they brought Ava back for surgery.

“Nah, the doctor might come out.”

I caught a glimpse of Reed watching me. After our little talk this morning, everything had been perfect. I told him the truth, that I cared very deeply for his daughter and I was going to do everything in my power to make her happy. His only concern was me moving to Montana. A problem I had chosen to ignore for the time being.

Dani sighed. “Fine, Rich and I are going to get some coffee; will you drink it if I bring you one?”

I absentmindedly nodded my head. Before turning to leave, Dani leaned in closer to me and whispered, “Don’t get upset, but I saw Dad talking to Destiny a little bit ago.”

My head snapped over to my father who was currently talking to Layton. “What? Where?”

“She was here; you know she does charity work for the hospital. I overheard her telling dad how much she missed you and wished you would give her another chance. She brought up the two families merging.”

My heart jumped to my throat. “What did he say?” I asked in a hushed voice.

Dani’s grin spread from one side of her face to the other. “He told her it was time for her to move on … that you and Ava were together now and it would be best if Destiny accepted that the two of you were never going to work out.”

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nbsp; My eyes about popped out of my head. “No shit? Dad told her that?”

Scrunching up her nose and nodding her head quickly, my sister rubbed her swollen belly. “Yep! Looks like our father knows true love when he sees it.”

I narrowed my eyes as I searched her face. There was no way I was getting into that with her now.

“Well, that certainly makes things a hell of a lot easier on me.”

Dani patted my chest and winked. “I thought that might cheer you up some! I’m going to get that coffee now.”

Rolling my neck, I headed over to a chair and sat down as I watched my father intently. I had to admit I was stunned he wasn’t going to push the whole family merger thing with me again. Especially since he knew I was moving back here. Relief instantly flooded though my body as he glanced my way and smiled. With a smile back, I made a note to myself to talk to him about Destiny and the future of our ranches. I had an idea on how we could make a merger happen and it sure as hell didn’t involve me having to get married to Destiny.

The doors opened and a doctor dressed in surgical scrubs walked out. Reed and Courtney jumped up when the he called out Ava’s name.

“We’re her parents,” Courtney said as he walked up to them. Liza and Walker were next to them, along with Jase. I stood back with Layton, Whitley, and my parents.

“I’m Doctor Monroe. Has anyone talked to you yet since they brought her in for surgery?”

Reed shook his head. “The ER doctor just told us she had fractured the tibia and fibula. He said she would need surgery.”

The doctor shook his head. “Yes, it was a severe but clean break of both bones so everything went back together nicely and are secured with a plate and screws. She also had a small fracture of her ankle, but I’m not worried about that at all. It will be more painful than anything and should heal up fine.”

Courtney covered her mouth as Reed said, “She has a broken leg and ankle?”

“I’m afraid so. Healing for those breaks will take six to eight weeks, and I’m going to recommend physical therapy as well since she will be off that leg for a good amount of time.”