"Fuck, I'm so sorry, darlin'." I continue to rub her back, her sobs startin' to quiet down. "I never meant to hurt you. I'd do anythin' not to ever hurt you." She nods against my chest, snifflin'. She moves back and gives me a small smile, puttin' her hand flat over my heart.
"You go get a good night's sleep. Go home in the morning." My eyes widen, my heart beatin' faster. "I'm gonna take another day, pack up some more of my things, and spend a little time with Leslie, George, and Barb. They may not be my parents but they've treated me like it, gave me the only love I had." She smiles, wipin' away a tear.
"I don't want to leave you, darlin'," I whisper, leanin' into kiss her but she covers her mouth and shakes her head frantically. I let out a laugh and kiss her nose.
She reaches up and cups my face. I close my eyes at the feel of her touch. "It's not for long, darling. I promise. You need to get back to the ranch, and I need to sever ties from here. Trust me?" Openin' my eyes, I nod, although reluctantly. She smiles and this time, I have hope. She leans up and kisses my cheek, then moves back, still smilin'. I watch her open the door and step outside, never takin' my eyes off her until she walks inside her house. My heart just left again but is fuller knowin' she'll be comin' home soon. I need to give her the time she needs. I owe her that.
I drive back to the hotel, eat some dinner, and return to my room, tryin' to go to sleep. But sleep evades me when all I can see every time I close my eyes is her.
The next mornin' comes too early. You'd think I'd be used to gettin' up before the sun even thinks 'bout risin'. I get I feel more tired than normal. It's been a long couple of days and emotions were high. Guess that can knock the energy outta anyone. I texted Tina before I left, tellin' her how much I love her and how I can't wait for her to come home. Home. I won't stand idle and wait for her to move in when she has time. This time, I'll take the guys and get her things, just as soon as she comes back to town.
I drove all day and into the night, wantin' to get home. Called Manuel about half an hour ago, lettin' him know what happened and that I was 'bout an hour away from town. Still a ways to drive to get there but the anxiousness of gettin' home will make the drive seem shorter. The sky decides to open up, givin' us the rain we need desperately. About another fifteen minutes and it's pourin' so hard it becomes difficult to see the road, the darkness of night not helpin'. The wipers on my truck are movin' fast as I squint, lookin' out the window, so I start to slow down a bit as I climb a hill. Town should be just up ahead, no need to hurry now. Nearin' the top of the hill, I speed up a little so my truck will get over it, when I slam into somethin' hard. I grip the steerin' wheel harder when my truck goes out of control and the world starts spinnin'. I'm jostled all around, pain sears through my chest and ribs as the seatbelt digs into me and the airbag deploys. More tumbles and my head hits the side window hard and everythin' goes dark.
Chapter Twenty
Tina
I spent the day nursing one helluva hangover while I packed up things and loaded them in my car. Mom and Dad tried talking me out of going back to the country, the only place that's ever felt like a real home, by demanding I stay here. Yeah, they're great convincers. Of course, they didn't stick around and headed to the country club. Mom saying it's bridge day – which means more of the gentlemen's room for Dad. But I had a great time with Leslie and Barb, who helped me pack with reluctance. We laughed and told stories, happy times I'd forgotten about, of course, all with them and George.
I laid in bed, staring up at the ceiling, thinking about Nash. He'd called me right before I climbed into bed, letting me know that he was still a few hours away from town but that he was thinking about tomorrow and how he couldn't wait to hold me in his arms again. He told me to drive safe and to call him several times along the way, worried about me already. God! How could I have been so stupid, thinking he didn't care for me, didn't love me, and that he wanted to be with Barbie? I'm an idiot! As I close my eyes, all I can think about is Nash's face, his strong arms around me, holding me tightly, and whispering words of love.
The shrill of my phone wakes me. I turn my head and look at the clock. "Who the hell is calling me at four thirty in the morning?" I yawn. I reach for my phone, unplugging it from the charger, and see Sadie's name. Well, that makes sense. She's probably already making breakfast for Memphis. I smile. "You better have a damn good reason for waking me, bestie." I yawn again.
"Tina. Oh God, Tina." I blink several times. The sound of her voice gives me chills as I sit up and lean back against the headboard. "Nash – he's been in an accident." My heart lodges in my throat, and I can't seem to swallow.
"Wha – what? No." My breathing becomes labored and I feel ill. "He just texted me before I went to bed."
"He hit a cow coming over a hill. It was raining really hard and he didn't see it through the storm and darkness." Her voice quivers and I sit up straight. "His truck rolled several times, landed in a ditch off the side of the road." No! No! No! "They air lifted him to Pilates Medical Center because they're better equipped with their trauma unit." I jump out of bed, putting her on speaker and run to the bathroom, setting the phone down on the counter. I brush my teeth as she continues. "He's in critical condition. Broke several ribs, concussion, and one of his ribs punctured his lung." I hear words of not breathing on his own. His truck totaled. It was a miracle he's still alive and that someone coming from the opposite direction saw it happen. I throw all my bathroom things in my small bag and get dressed in a hurry.
"You shouldn't be driving home, Tina. You're not in a stable mindset right now."
I stop, tears threatening to spill. "I have to go to him," I whisper.
"I know, sweetie. But you're not going to do him any good if you get into an accident yourself. It's still raining really hard here." I nod, understanding what she is trying to tell me.
"Okay. I'll call you as soon as I get to the hospital."
I end our call with promises that I know will be difficult to keep. Grabbing my bag, I run down the stairs, my hand on the front door.
"Miss Tina!" I turn my head and see George, Leslie, and Barb running toward me.
"Nash. He's been in an accident." My hand shakes on the doorknob. "I have to go." I start to open the door when George gently pushes it shut. He takes my arms and turns me to face him.
"Leslie? Call the airport and get her on the first flight. Barb, call Henry Wilke and talk to him about driving Miss Tina's car to her home." He winks as he smiles. "Where is the closet airport from where you live?"
"Pilates, Montana," I whisper, my entire body shaking now.
"Got that, Leslie?" He doesn't take his eyes from mine.
"I'm on it!" I hear her run into the next room.
An hour and a half later, I'm telling them goodbye, standing by my gate. I hug George. "Thank you for taking care of me. I'll never forget you." I kiss his cheek, feeling the wetness of his tears. I pull back and walk into Leslie's open arms.
"Oh, dear child. Please keep in contact with us this time." She moves back and smiles, tears brimming in her eyes. "You have our email addresses and phone numbers now." I nod. Turning, I walk over to Barb. She grabs my arms, looking at me like she's trying to memorize my face then pulls me into her arms.
"You've always been like a daughter to me," she whispers holding me tightly.
"You and Leslie have always been like the mother I never had." I hug her tight, not wanting to let go.
"Go, Miss Tina. Nash needs you now. Your flight is boarding."
I nod at George and wipe away the tears on my face. Picking up my small bag, I walk to the gate, holding out my boarding pass. I'm eternally grateful they could get me on this flight, getting me to my love so much quicker. Perks being the daughter of wealthy parents. Guess my parents will find out soon they paid for my first class seat and the driver who will pick me up at the airport and take me to the hospital. I board, sitting down in the wide seat and fasten my seatbelt, praying they will take off quickly and pray even harder that Nash will be okay. I skip all the food and drinks they offer during the little over three hour flight. Leaning my head against the window, I watch when the bright clear sky darkens and rain splatters against the window.
My heart races as the plane touches down. Anxiety begins to take its toll as we reach the gate. I can feel my heart beating against my chest, the sound filling my ears as I walk into the large room, gathered with tons of people greeting their loved ones. Standing on my toes, I look for someone in search of me and finally see a man, holding a sign with my name on it, dressed in a dark suit. I walk over to him and smile.
"Miss Tina Brogdon?" I nod eagerly, wanting to hurry and get to the hospital. "Let me take your bag." I raise my bag and he takes it then turns and I follow him. As we walk outside, he stops, opens an umbrella and holds it over me as we jog to the black limo SUV at the curb. I get in quickly and scoot over as he places my bag on the floor. Taking my phone from my pocket, I send a text to Sadie, letting her know I'm on my way to see Nash and get an instant reply.