Caught Up in a Cowboy, page 22
She’d taken the skates off him and left them in Monty’s car. Her brain was muddled with all of the information and everything that happened, and she had no idea where Max’s shoes even were. She knew Rock had grabbed her purse, so she was thankful for that, and she assumed he would have picked up all of their things.
Rock.
He’d looked so forlorn and miserable when he’d been in here earlier. She knew he was blaming himself for Max getting hurt. She’d wanted to comfort him, to tell him that it wasn’t his fault. But all of her focus had been on her son, and she hadn’t had time to try to offer him comfort too.
Truthfully, she could use his broad shoulders to comfort her right now. Being a single mom was hard, especially on days like today, when she had to keep it together and appear strong for her boy.
But inside, she didn’t feel strong—didn’t feel strong at all.
Rock wanted to be her friend. Well, she could use a friend right now. And she was anxious to get out to the waiting room to find Rock and let him know that she still needed him—to tell him that this wasn’t his fault, and neither she nor Max blamed him.
She finished filling out and signing the rest of the paperwork. Then they were told they were free to go and gathered their things.
She held out her arms, and Max scrambled into them, snuggling against her neck but still mindful of his injured chin. The doctor had put in two small stitches and covered it with a cartoon Band-Aid.
Quinn pressed a kiss to her son’s forehead. He smelled like shampoo and little-boy sweat and the faint, coppery scent of blood. The nurse had washed the majority of it from his face, but it still dotted his clothes, forming speckles of hard, crusted, brown stains.
Her own shirt was smudged with dried blood as well, and she just wanted to get home and get them both cleaned up and into fresh clothes that didn’t reek of injury and pain.
“Let’s go home, buddy.”
“You want me to carry him?” Monty offered.
She shook her head. “I’ve got him.”
Monty had been surprisingly helpful, and she was shocked that he’d stayed with them this whole time, only leaving Max’s side when he was taken in for the X-ray.
He hadn’t spoken much, but he’d offered his silent support just by being there, and she’d noticed.
Still, as nice as it was for Max to have his dad there, Monty wasn’t the one she wanted. He wasn’t the one she needed by her side, and he wasn’t the one she wanted to have wrap her in his big arms and tell her everything was going to be okay.
She held her breath as they pushed through the emergency-room doors, praying Rock would know what she needed.
Her eyes scanned the waiting room as Ham and Vivi rushed toward them, but the rest of the waiting room was empty.
Her chest tightened when Ham took Max from her. She heard him asking about his cast, and she felt Vivi pull her into a warm hug and say something about having her purse and Max’s shoes.
“Where’s Rock?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she spoke into Vivi’s ear.
“I’m sorry, honey. He already left,” Vivienne said as she squeezed Quinn tighter.
Quinn held on to her, clutching her back, her heart breaking into a thousand tiny pieces. The heart she had thought was broken, but that Rock had been slowly knitting back together, until this moment, when he had crushed it again.
Chapter 19
It was times like these when Quinn missed having a mother, a woman to comfort and soothe her, to brush back her hair and tell her everything was going to be all right.
Vivi was the closest thing she had to a mom, but she wasn’t her mom; she was Rock’s mom. Just as Quinn’s would be to Max, Vivi’s allegiance would always be to her son.
Pulling away, Quinn took a deep breath. She was on her own here. She and Max.
Vivienne James might not be her mother, but she’d modeled the behavior of a strong woman for all the years Quinn had known her. Vivi was tough as nails on the outside, but her heart was still as soft as butter. If Vivi could run a ranch and raise three boys on her own, so could Quinn.
She had to. Because the only person she could really count on was herself.
She pushed her shoulders back and stood a little taller.
I can do this.
“They need a copy of my insurance card and ID. Let me take care of that real quick, then let’s go home,” she said.
“I can drive you,” Monty offered.
She shook her head. “You’ve done enough today. I really appreciate you being here, but you don’t have to stay with us.”
“I want to. Really.”
“I’ll bring them home,” Ham said, his tone conveying that the topic wasn’t up for discussion.
Monty’s face fell, and his shoulders slumped forward.
The guy genuinely seemed to want to still be with them.
Not like a certain other guy who had already left.
Again.
“You know what would really help, Monty? If you could pick up Max’s prescription and bring it out to the house. That way, we don’t have to make the extra stop and wait for it, and we can head straight back now and get Max settled.”
“Sure. I can do that.”
“Great. And the doctor suggested we get some children’s ibuprofen, like Motrin. Can you get that too? I’ll write down what I usually get.”
“Yeah. Sure.” His features formed into a grimace, as if he’d just tasted something sour. “Shoot. Maybe I can’t. I’m a little light on cash right now, and my debit card’s been acting up. This move back here to be with Max has really tapped my finances.”
She took her purse from Vivi and dug for her wallet. “Oh. Of course. I wouldn’t expect you to pay for it.”
Why would you pay for a couple of bottles of medicine when you haven’t paid for a single item of your son’s care yet?
Stop.
The guy’s been patiently sitting with us all afternoon, she reminded herself. He’d been kind and had even found her a cup of water from the nurse’s station.
She handed him three crumpled five-dollar bills, the last of her tip money for the week. “We use the drugstore on Main. They have Max’s information on file, and they can call me if they need my permission to release his medication to you. But you shouldn’t have any trouble.”
“I’ll head over there now.” He patted Max on the leg. “I’m gonna go pick up your medicine for you, but I’ll be out to the house in about half an hour. Okay?”
Max nodded, his eyes starting to droop as he rested his head on his granddad’s shoulder.
It took Quinn only a few minutes to furnish the receptionist with her insurance information and finish clearing up the paperwork. Ham and Vivi took Max out to the truck, and he was already asleep by the time she crawled into the back seat of the King Cab.
She rested her hand on his head as her dad put the truck in gear and headed toward the ranch.
He woke up when they pulled up to the house, but Ham still carried him inside.
“Why don’t you bring him in the bathroom, and I can get him cleaned up and into some fresh pajamas,” Quinn suggested.
“I’ll find something to make for supper for you all while you do that,” Vivi said, already on her way to the kitchen.
Quinn filled the bathroom sink with warm, soapy water, and Ham set Max gingerly on the side of the counter. They carefully peeled off his soiled T-shirt, then Ham held his casted arm up while Quinn soaked a washcloth in the water and rinsed the remains of the dried blood from his neck and chest.
She gently washed his face, keeping the area around the Band-Aid dry. Her dad stayed with him while she hurried into his bedroom and got him a pair of pajamas. She picked the softest set, and Ham helped her maneuver Max into the shorts and T-shirt set.
The three of them walked down the hall just as Vivi was setting a plate of pancakes down on the table.
“It’s simple, but it’s comfort food, and it’s quick. I made the first stack for you, Max.” She smiled up at Quinn and Ham as they helped the boy into his chair. “I’ve got some scrambled eggs frying up too. They’ll be done in a minute.”
“Thanks, Vivi,” Quinn said, dropping into a chair and picking up a fork. “Want me to help you, honey?”
“No.” Max took the fork from her. “Geez, you guys. I broke my arm, not my whole body. I can eat by myself. I have another hand.”
His comment earned a chuckle from all of them.
“You’re right,” Quinn said, leaning back in her chair with a sigh. “I’m just being a mom.”
Vivi disappeared back into the kitchen. She dished up plates for Ham and Quinn and set them on the table. “Should I make a plate for Logan?”
Ham shook his head. “Nah. He’s down in the southern part of the state, picking up some cattle and a few supplies. He won’t be back for another few days.”
She nodded. “Well, there’s enough for Monty when he shows up as well. I made a plate for him and covered it, so it should stay warm.”
Ham raised an eyebrow at her. “Aren’t you eating?”
“No. I’m gonna head home and feed my crew. Mason and Colt were working the back pasture this afternoon, and they’ll be coming in soon and hoping to be fed.”
Quinn noticed she conveniently left out Rock’s name. Although she was sure he’d be sitting at his mother’s table as well.
Ham pushed back in his chair. “Let me give you a ride home.”
“You’ll do no such thing. Sit back down. Eat that food I just made you while it’s still hot. I have two perfectly good legs, and I can find my own way home. Besides, I could use the walk.” She pressed a kiss on top of Max’s head. “You were very brave today. I’m proud of you.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist, his fork still clutched in one hand. “Thanks, Vivi. And thanks for the pancakes. They’re awesome.”
She laughed and gave Quinn a one-armed squeeze. “Hang in there, honey. Boys get into scrapes. If this one is anything like mine, it won’t be the last time you wash blood out of his clothes. But he’s a strong boy. He’ll be fine.”
“Thanks. And thanks for making supper. I really appreciate it.”
“Think nothing of it. I was happy to do it.” She offered Ham a wink and headed for the front door. “I’ll check in with you tomorrow.”
“I’ll give a call to let you know how Max is doing,” Quinn said as Vivi stepped through the door.
“Sounds good. Night.” She let the screen door shut behind her.
The rest of them quietly turned back to their plates and dug into their pancakes.
The sound of an engine drew their attention a few minutes later.
“That must be Hill. It’s about time he got here with the medicine,” Ham grumbled.
Quinn was sure it was Monty as well, but she couldn’t help secretly hoping it was Rock. She let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding when she saw Monty approach the screen door. “Come on in. We’ve got some pancakes for you.”
He pushed open the door, a plastic drugstore bag in one hand and a broad grin on his face. His jacket was zipped up and bulging out in the front. “I’ve got something for you too,” he said, his voice high with excitement.
The front of his jacket moved, as if something squirmed inside of it, and a tiny yip emitted from his collar.
Oh, hell no. He didn’t.
He wouldn’t.
Not after she’d just told him the day before that she wanted Max to wait until he was older.
“What is it?” Max said, his own voice climbing higher.
Monty unzipped the front of his jacket, letting the brown fuzzy head of a puppy poke over the top.
“A puppy!” Max shouted and scrambled off his chair to race toward Monty.
“Max, be careful of your arm,” Quinn admonished.
“Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Is he really for me?” Max peered up at Monty with disbelief and pure unadulterated joy on his face.
“He sure is, champ. He’s all for you.” He passed Max the small dog, then peered up at Quinn. “That is if your mom says it’s okay.”
Seriously? Did he really just say that?
That is just beautiful. Well played, Mr. Hill.
There wasn’t a chance in hell she was going to tell Max that he couldn’t have that puppy, and he damn well knew it. But it hadn’t stopped him from putting her in this ridiculous spot.
Max carried the wriggling puppy over to Quinn. “Oh, Mom, can we keep him? Please? I promise I’ll take care of him. I’ll feed him and walk him, and he can sleep on my bed. Please, Mom?”
She tipped her head up so Max couldn’t see her expression as she glared at Monty. “Where did you find this puppy?”
“I know a guy.” He puffed out his chest. “It cost me a pretty penny too, but it was worth every cent just to see the happiness on my boy’s face.”
Interesting. Especially because earlier he didn’t have enough money to pay for aspirin, but now he had enough to buy a dog.
Max giggled as the dog licked maple syrup from his face. “He likes me. He already likes me.”
“Of course he does,” Monty said.
“So can I pleeeaaassseee keep him, Mom?” Her son gave her the most pitifully sad eyes she’d ever witnessed.
“Having a dog is a huge responsibility. He’ll have to be fed and watered every day. And dogs have to be brushed and bathed and taken care of.”
“I will. I will take care of him. And I’ll feed him every day and change his water every single hour.”
She let out a heavy sigh. What choice did she have? Monty had put her in a terrible position. If she said no, she’d look like an unfeeling bitch. No matter what she said, he was still going to come out of this deal smelling like roses.
She glanced at her dad, who offered her one of his trademark stalwart shrugs. “It’s up to you.”
Fat lot of help he was.
“I guess we can keep him for tonight and see how he does,” she relented. Although she knew once she caved, that there was no turning back. They were getting a new puppy.
“Yes!” Max shouted for joy. The puppy wiggled in his arms.
He set it on the floor, and it toddled across the hardwood, then squatted and peed on the rug.
Which seemed an entirely fitting response to the way her day had been going.
* * *
Rock stepped out from behind the barn and studied the Rivers’s house. Disappointment filled him that Monty’s car was still in the driveway.
He’d spent the last few hours debating if he would even bring the gifts over to Max, but decided it wasn’t fair that the kid had to suffer just because he was ashamed to face his mom.
The night was still warm, and a full moon filled the sky, lighting his way as he’d walked across the pasture. He carried the books and the LEGO set under his arm.
Cautiously approaching the porch, he heard the sound of laughter coming from inside the house and crept up the stairs to peer through the big bay window in the front of the house.
The scene inside tore his heart in two.
Quinn, Max, and Monty were seated in a circle on the floor, laughing and giggling as they played with a little brown-and-white fluff ball of a puppy. The puppy clambered around on the floor, scrambling between them and sending Max into fits of hysterical giggles.
He recognized the puppy as one of the litter that had been outside of the drugstore.
But he couldn’t imagine Quinn had taken one on a whim, especially not with Max’s arm being broken. It would be too easy for the puppy to inadvertently hurt him.
No, Quinn wouldn’t take a chance on that happening. Besides, she’d been adamant about him not having a dog until he turned ten. They’d just talked about it a few days ago.
The dog had to have come from someone who had a blatant disregard for the rules of a mother and for the consistency of a child’s routine.
Which meant it had to have been Hill.
Rock stood in the shadows of the porch, and something inside him broke as he watched the three of them playing with the dog.
Despite how the puppy came to be at the house, and despite the fact that Max had a bright-blue cast binding his arm and a Band-Aid covering the stitches in his chin, they looked like they were having a great time.
They looked happy.
They looked like a family.
A terrible realization hit him. No matter how much he loved Quinn, and he did love her—he always had and he always would—it didn’t matter. Because he loved her enough to let her go.
Not let her go like the last time.
The last time, he’d walked away because he was a stupid teenager, and he was being selfish.
This time he had to walk away because he was trying to be unselfish.
Because as much as he couldn’t stand Monty freaking Hill, the guy had shown that he wanted to be in Max’s life and wanted to get to know him. He hadn’t cut and run today at the hospital, at the first sign of trouble.
And he didn’t know if he and Quinn had a chance to patch things up and work it out between them—heck, he didn’t want to think about it if they did—but he knew they didn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell if he stuck around.
If he weren’t here, then maybe they’d have a chance at creating a real family, a whole family.
And he owed that to Max, to the sweet little kid who took everything in stride, who always saw the good in everyone, even in assholes who didn’t deserve it. Like the man who had walked away from his mom, and the one who had walked away from both of them.
Hill might still be an asshole—the jury was out on that one—but Rock knew he didn’t have to be. He could do the right thing, for once in his life. He could do something that didn’t benefit him.
He could give them up. Give them a chance to build something, to build a life. Together. To let Max have a dad.
