The Texan's Secret (15 page)

She looked up. “Did you forget something, Mr. Hardin?”

“No, actually, an employee of Shilah Oil, Brad Coulson, was brought in a little earlier. His family is here and they’d like to know how he’s doing.” And so would he.

She typed in something on her keyboard. “Mr. Coulson is still in surgery.” She frowned. “What’s his family doing in E.R.? They should be in the surgery waiting room.”

“No one told us where to go,” Sherry said.

Chance turned on all his charm. “Could you please get someone to show them where to go?”

“Yes, of course.” She smiled, and he felt a moment of anger. It wasn’t Shay’s smile.

He had to get her out of his mind.

He left the Coulson family in the hands of the nurse and went to find Cadde. Two double doors greeted him with the message Do Not Enter. Hospital Personnel Only. Without a thought, he pushed through them.

“Hey.” A nurse stopped him. “You’re not supposed to be in here. You have to go back to the waiting area.”

“I’m looking for my brother, Cadde Hardin,” he said as if she hadn’t spoken.

“The doctor is with him. Now please…”

“Is there a problem?” A man in blue scrubs came out of a room. He scribbled something on a chart and looked up. “Ah, Mr. Hardin. I saw you on the news—very brave rescue.”

“News?” Chance hadn’t realized he’d spoken aloud until the doctor responded.

“Yes. The rescue is on the news, national even.”

Damn! Cadde was going to hate this. This kind of PR they didn’t need. He vaguely remembered a man with a camera on his shoulder. At the time they’d been busy trying to save his brother’s life and hadn’t given it another thought. He should have. “How’s Cadde?”

“He’s lost some blood, but not enough for us to give him any. He has a concussion and right now he’s undergoing tests, mainly an MRI of his head. I don’t want to miss anything. Barring any unforeseen surprises, he should be fine. He’s strong and healthy and should recover quickly. We’re keeping him overnight for observation. I’ve already called his wife.”

Oh crap!
Cadde wasn’t going to like this, but Chance would deal with that later.

“Thanks, Doc,” he said. “Is he awake?”

“Not yet, but it shouldn’t be long.” The doctor glanced at his bruised arm. “You should let us look at that.”

Chance flexed his fingers. “I’m fine. It’s just bruised.”

“If you say so.” The doctor scribbled something else on the chart. “When your brother finishes the tests, they’ll take him up to a room. You can get the number from the nurse at the front desk.”

“Thanks, Doc.” They shook hands.

“Congratulations on a dangerous but successful rescue,” the doctor added. “You get me twelve feet off the ground and I become a wimpy little girl.”

“Sometimes you do what you have to.”

The doctor nodded and turned away. “Put some ice on that arm,” he called over his shoulder.

Chance flexed his arm and pain shot up his shoulder into his back. A reminder of the day.

He got the room number from the nurse and went upstairs. Sinking into a chair outside the door, he waited for Cadde. Nurses and other staff milled around him. People were coming and going. But he’d never felt more alone in his life.

Green eyes flashed through his mind. God, he needed her to hold him. He needed her to be here. But Shay was never going to be in his life again.

Not ever.

S
HAY WENT THROUGH
the motions of the day for Darcy. Beth had wanted her daughter to have a foundation of faith, so Shay did her best to get her to church on Sundays. Darcy loved her Bible study class and was making new friends. Separating her and Petey for a while had been a good idea. It had given her daughter the incentive—and courage—to reach out when otherwise she wouldn’t have.

A lot of that had to do with Chance. He lifted Darcy’s low self-esteem just by being in her life and with words of encouragement. He taught her that fighting wasn’t the answer and that a smile and friendship went a long way.

How did Shay tell Darcy that Chance, who she considered a giant among men, wasn’t coming back? And it was all Shay’s fault.

If she had told Chance the truth from the start, all this pain could have been avoided. But then she would never have known what a wonderful man he was. She would never have fallen in love and experienced those all-consuming, mind-blowing passionate feelings. Never again would those emotions consume
her—because she would never love anyone like she loved Chance.

The pain of hurting him was too raw for her to think much further.

The Home Health attendant was with Blanche, and Shay went to let her know she had returned. The woman left. Blanche had had a bath and looked refreshed—almost happy, staring at those damn rings.

“Do you need anything?”

“No,” Blanche replied, twisting her hand. “I have everything I need.”

Shay sighed and walked across the hall to her room to change. She slipped into denim shorts and paused. Chance had said he liked her in shorts. The warm memory floated away as she recalled what had happened next. Grabbing a sleeveless knit top, she yanked it over her head and went to find her daughter.

Darcy was sitting on the floor going through her workbook from Bible study.

“What do you want for lunch, sweetie?”

“Hot dogs,” Darcy shouted.

Hot dogs.
Oh, God, was everything going to remind Shay of Chance?

“Think healthy,” she said. “How about leftover roast?”

Darcy frowned. “No. We had that yesterday.” Her eyes suddenly brightened. “Fish sticks and mac and cheese.”

“Darcy.”

“Mom.”

They had a standoff and Shay was the first to give in. “Oh, okay. Now go change your clothes.”

Darcy skipped to her room.

Shay set about preparing lunch. While the macaroni boiled, she made Blanche a protein smoothie and carried it to her. She hurried back to the kitchen, followed by Darcy.

“Is it ready, Mom?” she asked.

“Not yet.”

“I’m gonna watch cartoons then.”

“Okay.”

Shay was setting the food on the table when Darcy screamed, “Chance!”

Shay dropped a hot pad and ran into the living room to look outside. Had Chance come back?

“Not there. Here.” Darcy pointed to the TV.

Shay walked slowly to stand in front of the screen. Breaking News—Live Coverage flashed across the screen. The shot panned to a large oil rig, the derrick reaching toward the sky. Men on one side of the structure looked toward another one hanging upside down in thin air. No. No! That couldn’t be Chance.

The camera then zoomed in on a man at the top of the derrick. “We’re told this is Chance Hardin, and his brother Cisco is below,” the reporter was saying. “The man hanging is Cadde Hardin, their brother and CEO of Shilah Oil. Our source tells us that Mr. Hardin slipped after rescuing a roughneck who may have had a heart attack. That man has been taken to Memorial Hermann. There’s no word on his condition yet. If you look closely you’ll see a single rope is holding Mr.
Hardin up there as his brothers try to save his life. This is dangerous, very dangerous, so if you have a weak stomach I suggest you not watch.”

Shay backed toward the kitchen and grabbed her purse. One thing kept running through her mind—that Chance was going to die believing she didn’t love him. No. She couldn’t let that happen. Suddenly it seemed so simple. Tell him the whole truth and let the broken pieces of their hearts fall where they may. Living a lie wasn’t acceptable anymore.

“Darcy, sweetie. I want you to do something for me.” Shay clicked off the TV. She didn’t want Darcy watching it.

“Aw, Mom,” Darcy complained.

“I have to go and check on Chance. I need you to stay here and help Blanche.”

“What?”

Shay had never asked this of her before, so Darcy was naturally confused. Nettie was at a flea market and wouldn’t be home until one. That was too long to wait.

“If Blanche calls for me, go see what she wants. If she wants water, get her a glass. She likes to suck on hard candy so if she asks for it, please get it. Tell her I’ll be back as soon as I can. If she’s rude to you, just walk out of the room. Understand?”

“Yes, Mommy, I can do it.”

Shay kissed her forehead. “I’m proud of you. Your lunch is on the table. Do not turn on the stove and do not go outside. Nettie will be here shortly.”

“I got it.” Darcy nodded and went into the kitchen to eat.

Shay put on a movie for her to watch and then removed the batteries from the remote control. She didn’t want her watching the rescue in case something went wrong. And then she was on her way to find Chance.

A
LOUD STOMPING SOUND
jerked Chance out of his somber thoughts. He looked up to see Kid running his way, his work boots pounding on the tiled floor. Chance jumped to his feet.

“Are the cops after you?”

“Hell, no.” Kid sank down beside him.

“You do know they will be. They couldn’t miss Shilah Oil written across that chopper.”

“I’ll handle it then. How’s Cadde? Is he going to make it?”

Now Chance knew what the rush was all about. Serious Kid was back. “Relax,” he said. “Cadde has a concussion and some bruises, but the doctor said he’ll be fine. He’s undergoing tests right now to make sure they didn’t miss anything.”

“Thank God.” Kid sagged in the chair as if someone had let all the air out of him. “He looked like hell. I thought…”

“Cadde’s going to be fine,” Chance assured him.

Kid sat up straight, staring at Chance’s arm. “Damn. Those are some bad bruises.” He held out his own arm. “Mine’s not that bad.”

“I was trying to keep the weight off you and to keep us from tumbling down.”

There was silence for a while. They both knew they would have suffered a lot more to save their brother’s life.

Then Kid slapped him on the back. “Dad said we were tough. I guess he was right.”

“Yeah,” Chance murmured, and he felt no bitterness at the mention of their father. He had finally put it behind him. The ache in his chest was about something entirely different. It was about a green-eyed lady who had broken his heart.

Down the hall, elevator doors opened and two nurses pushed a gurney toward them, with a doctor following. They got to their feet when they saw the patient was Cadde. He was still pale and out for the count.

They shook hands with the doctor. “How is he?” Chance asked.

“Fine. The MRI didn’t show anything, so in a few days Mr. Hardin should be back to normal—a little sore, with a bruised head, but normal. We’re keeping him overnight for observation. He can go home in the morning.”

“Thanks, Doc,” Kid said.

“No problem.” The doctor walked away, but turned back. “Whoever strapped him into that contraption strapped him in to stay. There are welts across his chest and legs from the tight leather. He’s probably going to be pissed about that, but I figure you guys can handle him.”

“You bet.” Kid grinned. “We’ve handled Cadde pissed more times than we can count.”

The doctor strolled away, smiling.

Chance and Kid walked into the room. One of the nurses was checking his IV, then straightened the sheet over Cadde. “He should wake up soon,” she said.

“Thank you, ma’am,” Kid replied, eyeing her from head to toe.

Chance poked him in the ribs. “Focus,” he whispered under his breath.

With a slight smile the nurse walked out of the room.

“Give it a rest, Kid,” Chance said, making his way to the bed.

Kid stood on the other side. “When do you think he’ll wake up?”

“When he’s ready, I guess.”

Almost on cue, Cadde’s eyelashes fluttered and his eyes opened slowly. “Where am I?” he groaned.

“In a hospital,” Kid answered.

“What…what happened?”

“You don’t remember?” Chance asked.

“Brad was hurt and I—”

“Yeah. You slipped off the derrick,” Kid interrupted. “There were ten or more roughnecks ready to climb up there to rescue Brad, but oh no, you had to do it. You had to show them you’re the big boss and still have what it takes.” It seemed as if someone had waved a green flag in front of Kid and he couldn’t stop. “You’re facing forty, and sit all day and half the night at a desk. What were you thinking? I’ve traipsed all over Texas chasing your damn dream and you pull something like this. I…” Suddenly Kid ran out of fuel.

“Did you get it off your chest?” Cadde asked.

“Hell, no,” he shouted. “When you get out of here
I’m going to kill you.” He flopped into a chair and rested his dirty boots on the bed. “You know that song that says ‘He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother’? Well, let me tell you, brother, you’re heavy as hell. Take a look at Chance’s arm.”

Cadde turned his head and stared. “What happened?”

Before Chance could answer, Kid grabbed the remote control and turned on the TV. “You want to know what happened? Take a look. They’re running it about every fifteen minutes. Must be a slow news day.”

“Kid.” Chance tried to stop him, but it was too late. The rescue blasted onto the screen.

Cadde watched in silence for a few minutes and then said, “Turn it off.”

Chance yanked the control from Kid and did so.

“Has Jessie seen it?” he asked.

“She’d have to live in a cave not to,” Kid muttered.

Cadde turned to Chance. “Make sure the hospital doesn’t call her.”

“They already have.”

“What?”

“She’s your wife, remember?” Kid reminded him. “Next of kin sort of thing.”

“Shit.” Cadde moved restlessly in the bed, then winced.

Kid got to his feet. “On that note I’m going to my apartment to crash. Hopefully I can persuade that pretty nurse to go with me. I bet she could ease my aches and pains.”

Chance just shook his head.

“I’m glad you’re gonna make it, big brother,” Kid told him, “but the next time I have to risk my life to save yours I’m—”

“Have you forgotten all the times I’ve risked mine to save yours? Remember that woman in Laredo? She forgot to tell you she was married, or you chose to ignore it. But you were very aware of it when her husband held a shotgun to your head. Who kept him from spreading your brains across that barroom? And what about those two girls in Lubbock who found out you were dating them at the same time? Who took the knife away and kept those she-devils from spreading your balls across Texas?”

Kid shuffled his feet. “So I guess we’re even.”

“Until the next crisis,” Chance interjected.

“Until the next crisis.” Kid stretched out his hand to Cadde and he took it. They held on longer than necessary. Chance knew Kid wasn’t really angry about what he’d had to do. He was angry he could have lost his sidekick, his brother, today.

Cadde turned to Chance. “How’s Brad?”

“He’s still in surgery. I’ll check on him a little later.”

“Good.” Cadde nodded and winced again. Chance knew he probably had a gigantic headache. “Have you got the rig started again?”

“No.”

“Why not?” he demanded.

“I’m easing my weary bones out the door,” Kid said. “I don’t have any fight left, so Chance, he’s all yours.”

“Why not?” Cadde demanded again as soon as Kid had left.

“Because those guys went through a harrowing experience today and they need a break. We’ll start again in the morning.”

“Like hell. You’ll start now.”

Chance was tired and his body ached. Any patience he’d possessed had completely flown the coop. He walked to the edge of the bed and stared his brother in the eye. “The rig starts in the morning,” he stated in a firm tone. “A lot of roughnecks worked together to save your hide today. To me that deserves recognition, so I gave them time off with pay. If you override my order, I’m outta here for good. What’s it going to be?”

Cadde moved restlessly and Chance saw him wince again. Clearly he was in pain, but he’d never admit it. Big, stubborn oaf!

“Okay.” Cadde sighed. “But it better start in the morning.”

Chance swung toward the door. “Get some rest—I definitely need some. See you tomorrow.”

“Chance,” Cadde called.

He looked back at his brother.

“Thanks.”

Chance nodded and walked out. Outside the door, he took a long breath. Down the hall he could see Kid talking to the nurse. Dealing with his brothers was like dealing with two petulant children. What had he gotten himself into?

A tap-tapping sound caught his attention. He looked up to see Jessie Murdock Hardin coming toward him.
She wore a burgundy print dress with a short black jacket. Her dark brown hair was coiled at her neck. Sunglasses perched on the top of her head. She was beautiful, sophisticated and a woman to be reckoned with. It showed in every line of her slim body. Why she and Cadde couldn’t make the marriage work was beyond him.

“How’s Cadde?” she asked, stopping by his side.

“He’s going to be fine.”

“Good. I didn’t think anything could penetrate that thick skull of his.” She moved to the door. “I got the paperwork on the transfer of shares into your name. Of course, Cadde told me nothing about it. The papers just arrived on my desk. I started not to sign off on them, but that would have been spiteful. You’ll be a great asset to Shilah Oil and I was happy to sign, despite Cadde’s lack of business manners.”

“Thank you, Jessie,” Chance said as she went into the room.

Cadde hadn’t told her. That boggled Chance’s mind. He’d sunk everything he had into Cadde’s oil venture and his brother hadn’t told Jessie, the woman who held all the power at Shilah Oil. Damn! He and Cadde had to have a long talk.