He gave her another penetrating stare, then nodded. "Okay, good. Glad to hear it. But don't forget that there are people who have your back now. You're not out there anymore. You're here, with us."
Her gaze traced over the letters spelling out PRESIDENT on a patch on Dare's chest because it was suddenly too hard to meet his eyes. If she did, she was afraid she might tear up. "Got it," she managed.
"Good, then let's settle in," he said.
They did. All that afternoon, and well into the evening. Dare sat with Cora awaiting any news Slider might be able to share about Ben. Doc, Bunny, and Bear-Dare's grandfather, great-aunt, and great-uncle-joined for a while, as did Haven, Alexa, and Phoenix when they returned from their shopping expedition. And a variety of other Ravens dropped by one by one until they'd taken over nearly a whole corner of the waiting room.
The group alternated between small talk, long periods of silence imbued with a sense of togetherness, and bouts of talkative joking around. The guys told story after story-of Slider wiping his bike out and earning his club nickname in a round-robin fashion, each of them offering a new detail on what'd happened. Of how proud Slider was the first time he introduced his boys to the club. Of how he once brought infant Sam to one of the club's Church meetings because Kim was sick, and the baby burped so loudly after finishing a bottle of milk that the whole club erupted into laughter and someone immediately proposed making Sam an honorary member. Dinnertime came and went, and while some of the others went down to the cafeteria, Cora stayed right where she was. In case she was needed.
Around nine o'clock, Slider and Sam came out to give everyone an update.
"Uh, hey," Slider said, uneasily surveying the group as they rose to meet him. He appeared surprised to find so many people waiting for news. "So, uh, Ben's doing pretty good. Doc thinks he'll make a full recovery. His head scans looked clear. The elbow break was a clean one and, given his age, should heal up without any complications." It was possibly more words than she'd heard Slider say at one time since she'd known him. And judging by the expressions the others wore, they might've been thinking the same thing.
But that surprise didn't last long, because soon everyone celebrated the news with hugs and handshakes, laughter, and even a few prayers. And even though Slider still seemed a little uncomfortable with all the attention and interaction, Cora could've sworn she'd seen his mouth flirt with a smile. More than once. And that made her even happier that so many people had come out to show their support for him. She suspected he really needed to see that, whether he knew it or not.
"Mav's covering your shift tonight," Dare said, squeezing Slider's shoulder. "So don't worry about a thing."
"Shit. Really? I was just gonna call out, but that's . . . wow." He nodded and raked a hand over his hair. "Okay, well, I'm going to spend the night with Ben, so can someone stay the night with Sam?"
Even as a half-dozen people volunteered, Sam interrupted. "No, Dad, I want to stay at the hospital tonight. I'll just wait out here. It'll be fine."
"I thought two people could be in the room," Cora said, knowing Sam would hate to be parted from his brother.
Sam gave a little shrug. "They can, but Ben would really like to see you."
Cora's mouth dropped open and her heart kicked into double time. Because how cute was that little boy? "What? I mean, that's so sweet, but it should be you, Sam."
He shook his head. "I'll be right here. Ben's hurt and tired, and you know how he likes to be with you when he's not feeling good. He needs you, Cora. It's okay. Really."
"He's right," Slider said, those strange pale eyes peering into hers, asking her to be there. "Ben asked for you. Please come back with me."
Suddenly, Cora became very aware that everyone was watching their conversation unfold. Heat filtered into her cheeks. "Okay, sure. Of course," she said, even though the Evans men were kinda blowing her away with their sweetness.
And they really were. Every single one of them.
Chapter 4
She brought Blue Bear.
In the hours after they'd arrived at the hospital, Slider kept coming back to that thought. Cora had brought Ben his favorite toy. The one he always had to have when he was scared or upset. The one he couldn't sleep without. The one that had become a lifeline of sorts in the months after Kim had died.
Slider had been concerned about getting to his son as fast as humanly possible. And Cora had been right there with him. But, still, she'd remembered Blue Bear.
And that little proof of her caring and thoughtfulness had put its hooks into him. Put them in, deep.
It made him feel like, for the first time in years, he had someone as invested in his kids' well-being as he was. And to take care of his sons was to take care of him, too. Because they were the only things he valued anymore. Even more than himself.
So when Ben had asked for Cora to come back to his room while he fell asleep, Slider hadn't minded. Not one bit. And the fact that Sam hadn't, either, revealed a whole lot about how his sons viewed their babysitter.
Damn if that wasn't a wholly inadequate word for Cora Campbell. Not that Slider knew of a better one.
Back in Ben's room, Slider and Cora resumed the same positions as before-him on Ben's right, where his arm was now encased in a bright blue cast, and her on the boy's uninjured left side.
"Dude, that is, like, the coolest cast anybody ever had," Cora said, her expression like she was looking at the Holy Grail. Many times, Slider had tried not to notice things about Cora, but it was hard to avoid paying attention when someone made your kids feel special. Again and again. And she always did.
Ben gave a toothy grin, his voice sleepy as he spoke. "I almost picked purple."
She shook her head. "No way, blue is the awesomest. And tomorrow we'll find a marker and everyone can sign it."
His eyes went wide. "Really?"
"Oh, yeah," she said, leaning her elbows on the mattress so she could be closer. "You could get a bunch of the Ravens to sign it, and then when you go back to school, everyone will think you're the baddest dude on the block."
"Yeah!" he said, grinning wider.
Cora had such an easy way with Ben. With both of his kids, really. God, Slider admired that about her. Especially when nothing about him was easy, and hadn't been in years.
Ben yawned and peered up at Slider. "You're gonna stay with me, aren't you?"
"You better believe it, Benji. And remember what we talked about. Nurses are going to come in a couple of times throughout the night. Just to check on you. I'll be here the whole time," Slider said, leaning over the boy so he could look him in the eyes. There was nothing like the unconditional love and admiration of a kid. But that didn't mean Slider shouldn't have to earn it. And he hadn't done nearly enough these past few years, had he? He pressed a kiss to his son's cheek. "Now shut those peepers."
Ben giggled. "Your whiskers tickle, Dad." Slider ran his hand over the facial hair on his jaw. One more piece of evidence of the mess he'd become. But at least it made Ben laugh. The boy looked up at Cora next, his hand snaking into hers and tugging her closer. "You're staying too, right?"
"Wild horses couldn't tear me away," she said, squeezing his hand.
Ben made a face. "There are wild horses here?"
Cora chuckled and Slider shook his head. "Peepers. Closed. Now," he said.
The boy was asleep in an instant.
After not sleeping much today himself, Slider probably wasn't far behind him. Still, he nodded at the small sleeper sofa and quietly said to Cora, "You can take that. Nurse said there are pillows and blankets in the closet."
She shook her head. "No way. You haven't slept. And I'm kinda attached here," she said, glancing at where Ben still clutched her hand. "Seriously, Slider. Get some sleep while you can."
Frowning, he pulled out the sleeper, which was only a little wider than a twin-sized bed, found the bedding, and lowered the lights. "How 'bout this. We'll take shifts."
She smiled. "Sure."
On a bone-deep sigh, Slider sat on the bed's edge and kicked off his boots, and then he went horizontal still wearing his jeans and T-shirt. Cora laid her cheek against her arm, her face turned away from Slider toward Ben, her blond waves a soft cascade against the white hospital blankets.