Brokenhearted Beauty(Divine Creek Ranch 19)(71)

The heat of a blush filled her cheeks hoping he didn’t think she was ogling Kendry, or wonder why she was confessing things she normally kept private to someone she barely knew. Seeming to read her mind, James said, “It’s okay, honey. None of us ever thought we’d be in this position today. A little weirdness is to be expected, I think.”

She pointed at Kendry’s chest. “You seem like a reasonably healthy person. How did you come to need a transplant?”

Kendry said, “I had a congenital birth defect, one of those things my pediatrician told my parents I might outgrow, only I didn’t. A couple of years ago, I collapsed while at work and woke up in the hospital. I was there for two months. I was placed on the transplant list and we waited and prayed. Since the transplant in April, I’ve been making up for lost time.”

Jared snorted. “You should’ve seen him when he finally left the hospital. Pale and thin and ready to hit the ground running. It’s just a damn good thing…”

Kendry smiled at his brother but waited him out.

Jared finally continued. “It’s a damn good thing he was at the station house cleaning a truck when he collapsed and not in a burning building, otherwise…There were also EMTs there when it happened so he got speedy treatment. Anyway, the fire department welcomed him back on desk duty until his surgeon gives him the final clearance to go back to active duty.” He took in a deep breath. “I should’ve brought pictures from when he got the call that a heart was available. Pretty scary stuff to go through with your brother.”

Sitting forward, Kendry said, “And it was never far from my mind that in order for the transplant to happen, someone else was dying. Before they put me under, I prayed that there might be a way to someday thank you for the gift.”

Leah saw sincerity in his eyes and wondered how she would react in similar circumstances. “What do you like to do?”

“I’ve always been into old cars and trucks, since my dad first taught us how to handle tools. I’ve always been a runner, for fitness. No marathons or anything like that. Jared and I recently went on our first hike together since before the diagnosis.”

“Where’d you go?” Vincent asked.

Jared grinned as he rubbed at the reddish blonde scruff on his jaw. “I started him out on a baby hike out at Enchanted Rock.”

Kendry chuckled. “Didn’t feel like a baby hike to me, especially not in this heat. We camped out that night. We’re planning the next trip out in Big Bend this December when it’s a little cooler.”

Listening to them talk, Leah could tell he and his brother were close, and she thought that if Patterson had met Kendry, he would’ve approved of him getting his heart.

Kendry turned his attention back to Leah. “I hope that puts you at ease, Leah. I promise I’ll take good care of it.”

Her throat clicked when she tried to swallow, and she nodded because she couldn’t speak.

Kendry cleared his own throat and said, “Would you like to listen?”

The tears spilled from her eyes and she hummed softly, doing her best to keep the welling sob inside her. Her face grew warm as she looked down at her knees which she had in a white-knuckle grip. She felt comforting hands on her shoulders and found the strength to nod.

She looked up at Kendry and his expression crumbled a little. “Sweetie, the last thing I wanted to do was make you cry. I’m so sorry.”

Sniffling, she swallowed back her tears and patted him on the arm. “I think it was sweet of you to offer. It’s just hard, you know?”

He nodded and settled his weight back on his hands. “Listen for as long as you need to. I’m wash and wear so the waterworks won’t bother me.”

She smiled at him, thinking he needed to tell that to his face because he looked terrified of her getting any more upset. She glanced at Vincent and James and they both nodded their approval. She clasped her left hand with Vincent and her right hand with James, behind Kendry. He angled toward her on the dock so she’d be comfortable, but their height differential made it awkward.

Vincent lifted her onto his lap as he scooted toward Kendry. Once she was settled and secure in his arms, she leaned toward Kendry.

She let out a soft breath as she laid the side of her head against his chest. His scent, a not unpleasant mix of fresh laundry and sunshine filled her nose as she closed her eyes and listened.

The sound of bird calls and the river rushing past them faded away. A tremor rippled through her as she listened to the heart beating steadily under her ear. James and Vincent squeezed her hands as she was transported back to the morning she lay on Patterson’s chest, held in thrall by each beat remaining to him.