The Cowboy and the Cougar (The Cougar Chronicles 1)

An hour passed, and then another. The nurse at the reception desk told Holly, very nicely, to please stop asking for an update. She’d tell her something when she knew.

Holly resisted the urge to smack her.

Just as Holly picked up her fifth magazine, Jack, looking like he’d aged a decade, walked into the waiting room.

She rose from her chair, her purse and magazine flopping to the floor. "Jack?"

He sighed. "He’s okay."

She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him close. "Thank God. Come sit with me and tell me what happened."

"I don’t know yet. I haven’t gotten a straight story out of Sam. But he did wake up for a little while. He has a concussion."

Holly nodded. He looked so sad, so forlorn, and yet so relieved. She shared his sentiment.

"His femur’s cracked. The doc was amazed he didn’t have more broken bones. He won’t need surgery, but he’ll wear a cast for a few months. They did an MRI and a CT scan." Jack sighed. "No internal bleeding, thank God."

Holly let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.

"He’s resting now. They have him pretty doped up. He’s gonna be in a lot of pain. The bruises are already forming all over his little body..."

Jack’s voice trailed off and he stared at the white wall of the waiting room. Holly gently cupped his cheek and turned his face to her.

"Will he stay the night?"

"Yeah. I’m stayin’ with him. I can’t leave him alone."

"I understand."

"Could you...?" He sighed. "This is a lot to ask, Holly.

"You can ask me anything."

"Would you mind driving back to the ranch and getting some stuff for me? A change of clothes, my toothbrush, you know."

"Not at all. I’d do anything for you and Sam. I hope you know that."

"I appreciate it."

"Are you hungry? I can get you something."

"No." He rested his elbows on his thighs and cupped his face in his hands. "I can’t eat."

"You should eat something. You probably haven’t eaten since breakfast." She checked her watch. "It’s nearly five."

"Can’t. Not hungry."

"All right." She’d bring him something anyway. "It’s a long drive to your place. I won’t be back for a few hours. Have you called Luisa?"

"No. Would you?"

"Sure."

Holly quickly programmed the number Jack gave her into her cell. "I’ll call her on the way home."

Home? When had she started thinking of Jack’s place as home? He hadn’t said he loved her. She hadn’t told him yet. Now wasn’t the time.

She grabbed her purse and gave the top of his head a kiss. "I’ll be back as soon as I can."