Divine Charity(Divine Creek Ranch 18)(68)

The slump of Emma’s shoulders told Val what she was unable to. It didn’t look good for Patterson Elder. He vowed to never grumble about wearing his helmet when he rode his bike from then on.

After Emma left, Justin sat down on the edge of the bed, taking Charity’s hand in his. “We’re going to get some supper, baby. Can we bring you anything?”

Charity nodded and she and Justine told him what they wanted. The three of them took off and ate at Rudy’s then brought the girls their food back, complete with dessert and Rudy’s wishes for a speedy recovery. Val chuckled when he walked in the hospital room with the food and found Charity and Justine curled up in one bed watching The Voice, with Justine’s hard cast carefully positioned between them.



* * * *



Charity sighed as her eyes landed on Val standing in the hospital room doorway. Peace flowed through her at his warm look. She hated to be a baby about staying in the hospital, but she didn’t like it there. No matter how courteous and caring the staff was, it was still the place where both of her parents had passed away.

Evidently sensing her unhappiness with staying overnight, Justine had climbed into bed with her and cuddled up with her to watch their favorite television show. They’d had a quiet running commentary between them as the contestants auditioned until Val had walked in. Happiness filled her at the sight of him, because she loved him, but also because she’d been reminded of how fragile life was.

“How’re my girls?” Val asked as he brought the yummy-smelling food to the tray table and rolled it over where they could reach it. “You both look a little sleepy.”

“A little, but hungry, too,” Charity said, gazing up at Val as he stood over them. The man was seriously tall, almost as tall as Justin and every bit as broad at the shoulders.

Justine fiddled with the Styrofoam boxes with her left hand and Val helped her as he spoke to Charity. “I think since the two of you are sharing a room that I’ll stay home tonight with the guys.”

Justine waved her good hand and said, “Val don’t stay away on my account. I promise I don’t mind if you want to camp out with us.”

Val chuckled when Charity stuck out her lip but then she nodded in acceptance and said, “We should be okay on our own tonight.”

He leaned over and kissed Justine on the forehead and she smiled at him affectionately, and then he leaned in and gave Charity a tender, loving kiss and said, “I love you both and I’m so relieved you’re okay.” The love that radiated from his eyes, for both of them, spoke volumes as well before he said good night and departed.

Justine was quiet while they ate and for the rest of the show and then shut the television off after it was over. She cuddled up to Charity with her casted right arm between them and rested her head on her mom’s shoulder. “That friend of yours may die, huh?”

Disliking to even speak of it, Charity nodded. “There’s a possibility, yes.” Recalling how hard the impact from the rear end collision had been, Charity shuddered. The memory of the accident was going to give her the heebie-jeebies for a while.

“Thinking about that makes me worry about Beau…and Noah.”

While biting her lower lip, Charity considered her answer. Justine had always been one to keep her feelings to herself but she had a good idea of how much Justine liked Noah. She hadn’t dated much and as far as Charity knew, no other boy had gotten under her skin the way Noah had. But she also didn’t believe in sugar-coating the issue.

“I don’t like the idea of them going off into the sunset either, sweetie. But I can’t begrudge them taking that trip. Physically speaking, they’re both men now, and I think they view this adventure as a rite of passage. We can’t deny them the chance to test their strength and their wits just because we’re worried they’ll get hurt. Snakes, scorpions, sunstroke, bad people…I can’t dwell on those things.”

“I’m trying not to either. I understand all of what you’re saying, and I guess I agree as well, but…sometimes I wish I hadn’t agreed to date Noah until the school year ends.”

That was news to Charity but she wasn’t going to question Justine when it was obvious she had larger worries. It wasn’t like Charity would’ve told her she couldn’t go on other dates with him besides the prom.

“Is that because you don’t want to care and worry more than you already do if you get in any deeper? Honey, maybe it’s already too late. When you give your heart to a guy, regardless of your age, he owns it, in a way, until he breaks it or gives you your fondest dream. I like Noah. I think he’s a great guy and he’s going to grow into an amazing man, if he’s allowed to do what he needs to do. It sucks to think of them leaving. I know in my heart I’m going to cry when Beau sets out, but I wouldn’t stop him no matter how terrifying my worries become. He’s still my baby. Noah’s mom probably feels the same way. He and Beau have spent a lot of time in the outdoors so I’m sure they have the skills they need. And it’s only…three months,” she said, trying to ignore the pain in her chest at the thought of not seeing Beau’s sweet face every day. “I’m shutting up now before I turn into a blubbering wuss.”