Love All Out - The Complete Series (A Stepbrother Romance) (41 page)

“You know why I had to get away,” he said, his tone devoid of amusement. “And I never expected a landslide to happen.”

I scanned the debris, looking for anyway to free James from the rubble. But his safe haven was blocked on all sides and the last thing I wanted to do was move the wrong rock and start another slide. I turned back to Dallas, who was waiting just at the edge of the plateau.

“We can’t get him out on our own. Radio in to Mason and tell him where we are. Tell him that the trail is stable enough for search and rescue to come up in ATVs.”

“We don’t have a signal,” Dallas interrupted, holding up the walkie talkie. “I’ll ride towards home until I can get through. Please, Willow, for the love of God don’t touch any of that mess until I get back.”

“I won’t,” I promised. “Just tell Mason to hurry.”

“Hold tight, James. We’ll get you out of there soon,” Dallas said before making his way back down the hill.

“Thanks, Dallas,” James called after him.

I stared into his eyes for a few moments, unable to speak. There were so many things I needed to say and I had no idea where to begin. The side of his mouth turned up in a sly smile and curiosity danced across his face.

“I take it the parents don’t know you came after me?” he asked.

I cringed and gave him a guilty smile. “They think I’m in my office, putting together a search party. At least, that’s what they thought when I left the house. I’m sure they’re on to me by now.”

James raised an eyebrow. “And Dallas? How did you convince him to come along? Hell, how did you convince him to let you off the ranch?”

“He didn’t even try to stop me,” I confessed as hot tears filled my eyes. “He knows about us, James. He knew I was coming after you and that nothing would stop me. He says we remind him of my parents. My mother…” I sobbed, my tears flowing freely. “My mother died almost exactly like this. I was so scared I was losing you too. I don’t care what our parents say. I love you. I love you more than anything in this world. When I thought you might be gone, I felt paralyzed. I can’t live without you, James. I won’t. And I don’t care what or who I lose because of it.”

“I love you too, Willow. And I feel the same way. I was starting to wonder if anyone would ever find me. I thought I might die under this rubble. And all I could think about was how much I regret not standing up to my mom. I choose you, Willow, over everyone and everything in my life. I choose us and our lives together.”

I ached to feel his arms around me, to bury my face in his chest and never come up for air. But I settled for staring into his eyes and waiting for help to arrive.

***

At midnight, James and I were at the Durango ER when his door flew open and Daddy and Renee stormed into the room. I’d hoped their relief that James was safe would temper their anger at me for going after him. It was clear almost immediately that it wasn’t the case.

“Good God, Willow, what in the world were you thinking?” Daddy demanded. He flailed his arms in wild anger as he paced a small patch of the linoleum floor. I sat upright in my stiff chair, but left my hand resting on James’s forearm. I cleared my throat and prepared myself for the worst.

“I’m sorry, Daddy. I’m so sorry I lied to you. But James was in danger and I knew where to find him. I couldn’t sit by and do nothing. You should understand that better than anyone.” I slid my hand down James’s arm and looped my fingers through his. Daddy stared down at us, a look of shock on his face.

“What? But… I don’t… are you trying to tell me something, Willow?” he stammered.

James answered for me. “Cole, I’m in love with your daughter,” he confessed. “I have been for a long time now. And I consider her loving me back to be the greatest accomplishment of my life. I’m sorry to tell you like this. I should have come to you, man to man, and told you the truth as soon as I realized my feelings.”

Daddy furrowed his brow, but I was relieved to see his face remain a calm tan instead of raging bright red. “When the hell did this happen?” he asked, his voice full of confusion. “And why am I just hearing about it?”

I met his eyes, searching for forgiveness and praying for understanding. “I’m sorry, Daddy. It’s all just been so… complicated. We all started dating around the same time, but you and Renee announced it first. James and I tried to stay away from each other. We tried to fight our feelings. But we can’t and I don’t want to try anymore. Tonight… when I thought I’d lost him… I didn’t think I’d survive it.”

Renee impatiently cleared her throat and I quit talking. Daddy gave her a puzzled look, but she ignored it and turned to James.

“Dallas said you weren’t badly hurt. Is that true? What did the doctor say?”

“I’m fine, Mom,” he assured her. “I have a very mild concussion, so they’re going to keep me overnight.”

“I’m sorry, James,” Daddy broke in. “Dallas already told us you were okay, or that would have been the first thing I asked. I hope you can understand, I’m a little thrown here.”

“Of course, Cole.”

Daddy turned to Renee. “Our children are
seeing
each other, Renee. Aren’t you going to react to that?”

I took great pleasure in answering the question. “Renee’s already reacted to it, Daddy,” I said, staring her down. She put her hand to her mouth as the color drained from her face.

That’s right. If my secrets are going to be out in the open, so are yours.

Daddy stared down at Renee while I continued. “Renee insisted that James and I end things. She said if we stayed together, or told you, she’d end her relationships with both of us. That’s why James was up on the mountain tonight. She made us feel like we didn’t have a choice, so we broke up. James was going to leave Colorado the day after the wedding.”

“I went for a ride to think,” James finished for me. “And I did think, the whole time I was trapped beneath that cliff. I love you, Mom. And I don’t mean any disrespect to either of you. But Willow and I are going to be together. I’d appreciate your blessings, but withholding them won’t change my mind.”

Daddy leaned against the wall and let out a long sigh.

“Are you okay, Daddy? Do you need to sit down?” I asked, rising from my chair.

He waved off my concern. “I’m fine… just confused. Let me see if I have this straight. You and James started dating around the same time Renee and I did?”

I nodded, just as a nurse rolled a wheelchair into the room. She introduced herself as Patty and gave us all a weary smile.

“James, we have your room upstairs all ready for you. One person’s allowed to spend the night, I’m afraid the rest of you will have to leave.”

“I’m staying,” I insisted as Patty and I helped James into the wheelchair.

Renee opened her mouth to protest, but Daddy spoke first.

“Fine,” he agreed with a reluctant sigh.

“He should be released first thing in the morning,” Patty explained as she wheeled James into the hallway. “Dr. Houston just wants to keep him tonight as a precaution. I have to say, your son fared much better than most of the other people who got trapped in that mess tonight. Someone upstairs is smiling down on him.”

“And I’m thankful for it,” Daddy told her with a charming smile. “Could we have just a moment of privacy before you take James upstairs?”

“Of course,” she quickly agreed. She wheeled James over to a small sitting area and walked a few yards down the hallway. I gripped the handles of James’s chair while Daddy stared down at us. Renee stood next to him with her lips pursed, refusing to meet anyone’s eye.

“James, I’m glad you’re safe. Willow, I’m still not happy that you risked your life to go after him, but I understand your motivation. As for the rest of it, we’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Daddy, for understanding. We’ll come home as soon as James is discharged.” I gave my father a tense hug while Renee bent over and kissed the top of James’s head.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” she told him. “Call me if you need anything.”

She pulled away and Patty reappeared beside us. Daddy and Renee said a final goodbye and then disappeared through the emergency room’s swinging double doors. I held James’s hand and walked beside the wheelchair as Patty pushed him to the elevator. I pushed the call button and smiled down at James as we waited for the car.

“Are you happy?” he asked, squeezing my hand.

Was I happy? The man I loved was safe and we didn’t have to hide anymore. I was deliriously happy. “I’m blissful,” I said, returning his squeeze. The elevator doors opened and Patty wheeled him inside. I followed, eager to get to the room and be alone with James. It was our first night as an official, out in the open couple and, hospital or not, I intended to celebrate.

***

“All right, everything looks good,” Dr. Houston said as he shined his penlight in James’s eyes. “As long as you take it easy, I think you’ll make a full recovery. Do you have any questions before I get you out of here?”

“Just one,” James said anxiously. “Is it safe for me to fly tomorrow?”

“Ah yes, the big race,” the doctor replied with a smile. “Your lung capacity is good. You’re lucky, you’re the only patient from the slides who doesn’t have inhalation pneumonia. I have no problem with you flying to New York. Just don’t overdo it on the cocktails and you should be fine.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. Now that our relationship was out in the open, there was nothing I wanted more than to go to Belmont Stakes on James’s arm. I squeezed his James’s hand and smiled up at Dr. Houston.

“So, we’re free to leave?” I asked hopefully. I was ready to get our talk with Daddy and Renee over with. From there, James and I could figure out how to move on with our lives together.

“As soon as the paperwork’s in order,” he explained. “I know the two of you came in in an ambulance. Would you like me to have a nurse call you a taxi?”

I shook my head just as the door to James’s room pushed open. “We have a ride,” I said as Matt and Lucas stepped into the room.

“Fantastic,” Dr. Miller replied. He nodded at our friends as he shut James’s chart. “Hold tight. You should be out of here in about half an hour.”

“Thanks for everything, Dr. Houston,” James called after him as he stepped out of the room.

“You’re more than welcome,” the doctor replied over his shoulder. “And good luck on Saturday.”

Lucas crossed the room and greeted James with a high five. They pulled each other in for a quick half hug before Lucas backed away with a teasing smile.

“You’ve got to quit ending up in this place, man.”

“I know,” James groaned. “Believe me, I didn’t do it on purpose.”

“But you’re okay?” Matt asked nervously. “Both of you?” He looked me up and down and I realized that I was still wearing my muddy yoga pants, t-shirt, and riding boots. I didn’t need to look in a mirror to know that my hair was caked with dirt.

“I’m fine,” I quickly assured him. “And so is James. We may be homeless in a few hours, but physically we’re fine.”

Matt’s eyes narrowed with confusion. “Homeless? Why in the world… you
didn’t
,” he gasped and brought his hands to his mouth.

I smiled back at him and nodded. “It wasn’t like we had a choice. Being honest was the easiest way to make Daddy understand why I went after James last night.”

“And Willow and I both decided that we don’t care what it takes. We can’t stay apart,” James finished.

“How did Cole react?” Lucas asked.

“Was Renee supremely pissed that you told him?” Matt said almost simultaneously.

“Cole was surprised,” James admitted. “And he understandably had plenty of questions. But we didn’t really have a chance to get in to it. We were in the ER. A nurse came to bring me up here and politely kicked them out. Cole said we’d talk about it when Willow and I get home.”

“And Renee is definitely pissed,” I continued. “Because I told Daddy what she did when she found out about us. He didn’t seem happy, so I doubt he’s as opposed to our relationship as she is. But that doesn’t mean he’s going to accept it.”

“Well, I’m proud of you,” Matt said, wrapping me in a hug. He beamed down at James. “Does this mean you’re coming with us this weekend?”

“Yes, it does,” James answered, returning his smile.

Matt let out a squeal of delight. “This is going to be fantastic. Finally, we get a weekend with just the four of us. No one’s keeping secrets, Bradley won’t be showing up to ruin anything… it’s just going to be perfect! And we leave in less than twenty-four hours!”

“Yes,” I sighed, thinking of how those hours will be filled. “But it may be a really long twenty-four hours.” I couldn’t get my mind off of our upcoming talk with Daddy and Renee. “If we need to, can we come crash at your place tonight?”

“Of course you can,” Matt agreed. “Lucas is staying, so he doesn’t have to drive in the morning. We’ll just start our celebrations early. But I don’t think it will come to that, Willow. Cole loves you. Renee does too. Now that you’ve shown them you’re serious about each other, they’ll find a way to accept it.”

“From your lips to God’s ears,” James said with a sigh. He looked up at the wall clock and back at Matt. “The doctor said half an hour. In hospital time, that’s at least an hour and fifteen minutes. Would you mind doing me a favor?”