Unstoppable (A Country Roads Novel) (24 page)

“You are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me,” he whispered against her hair. “And I know you’re the greatest thing that
will
ever happen to me.
Ever.
” He pressed his lips to her temple. “I love you, Melanie O’Bryan. More than anything.”

He loved her. Mel had heard the words come out of Bennett’s mouth.

I love you, Melanie O’Bryan. More than anything.

She’d been dozing, just on the brink of sleep. Bennett had been playing with her hair and she hadn’t wanted to miss it. She hadn’t been ready for sleep to claim her, so she’d fought it for as long as possible.

She’d been there just on the edge of losing consciousness when he’d started talking. When he’d whispered the sweetest words she’d ever heard.

He loved her.

She wanted more than anything to be able to say it back to him, but she couldn’t. He’d told her when he thought she couldn’t hear him. She wanted him to tell her when he
knew
she could hear him. When he was looking her straight in the eye.

It wasn’t so much to ask for…was it?

No, it wasn’t. So Mel would have to wait until Bennett was ready to say it. She could do that because she knew the truth, so she would just have to be patient to hear those words again.

So, patient she would be.

And besides, even though he’d said he loved her when he thought she couldn’t hear the words, he’d still said them. Those words had meant something to him. She meant something to him.

Sunday morning brought warm and sunny weather. It was in the high sixties as opposed to the low forties that had come and stayed for the past couple of weeks. Bennett had the brilliant idea to borrow Tripp’s motorcycle, and he took Mel on a ride down the coast.

“We can cross another thing off that list of yours,” he said, as they cleaned up from their pancake breakfast. Both of them had been ravenous when they’d woken up that morning, which wasn’t all that surprising given the events of the night before.

Mel looked at Bennett stunned for just a moment. The fact that he was just as determined as she was to get things crossed off of her “I Didn’t Kick the Bucket List” meant more to her than she could accurately express in words.

God, she loved him.

She grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him close so she could kiss him and he had her backed up against the counter in a second.

He grinned down at her. “What was that for?”

“For just being you,” she said before she kissed him again.

They were on the road less than an hour later. The cold air slapped around them but it wasn’t all that bad. Mel had many things going for her to keep her comfortable. One, she was bundled up in a warm jacket. Two, she had Bennett as a pretty solid buffer. Three, and most important, she was wrapped around him, and the man radiated heat.

They packed a picnic and had a very secluded lunch on the beach, where they made out for a good long while. The night was spent at Mel’s house, where they made beer bread, one of Bennett’s special recipes, and clam chowder, which they made from ingredients bought during their expedition along the coast.

On Monday after school, Bennett spent the afternoon with Dale and Hamilton at the gym. Mel was glad that he was continuing to work with the boys. There was a noticeable difference in both of them physically, which went along nicely with Dale’s emotional transformation. Dale needed that time, and she knew Bennett enjoyed it as well. Bennett had a soft spot for both boys, but she knew he felt a certain responsibility to make sure Dale was okay.

“You think Virginia is ready to date?” Bennett asked Mel, as they lay in bed on Monday night.

Mel was running her hand back and forth across his chest. “Why? Are you interested in her?” she asked raising an eyebrow. “Do I need to be jealous?”

“No.” He laughed, putting his hand at the small of her back and pulling her closer to him. Neither of them were wearing an article of clothing, so her body was flush against his. “I only want you. But I think Dale needs a male figure in his life. A stable one, and Virginia’s still young enough and she’s a good woman. And very pretty.”

“Did you have someone in mind?”

“Not at the moment. Do you?”

“No, but I’ll get back to you if I have any sudden inspiration.”

“Sounds like a plan,” he said.

It was just after five o’clock on Tuesday, and Bennett was loading his truck. It was his last day on the Lancing job so he had to make sure he got all of his tools. Eric Lancing was a football player for the Orlando Force, and he’d decided he wanted a summer beach house in Mirabelle. So he’d built one. Or, more accurate, had one built.

Bennett had met Eric on a handful of consultations over the summer. Even though Eric was rich and famous, he seemed like a pretty decent guy. He was from a small town in south Alabama that wasn’t too far from Mirabelle, and he was a good old Southern boy through and through. The guy was in his late twenties, and he’d been a star running back even before he’d made it pro. He’d been the Heisman Trophy winner during his junior year of college at the University of Alabama, and he’d been a pretty big reason they’d gone on to win the championship that year.

Eric had spared no expenses when it came to his three-story mansion. It had six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a state-of-the-art kitchen with appliances to rival a five-star restaurant, and a living room that would comfortably seat twenty. There was a Jacuzzi on the back porch and hardwood floors throughout. About sixty percent of the back of the house was comprised entirely of windows.

He’d spent millions, and part of that money had gone to Bennett’s custom woodwork, which was evident in every room of the house. And after months spent working on the place, Bennett was finally done.

“Bennett,” someone said as they clapped him hard on the shoulder. He turned around to find his boss, Marlin Yance.

“I just took a look around. I see you’re all finished up.”

“Yes, sir,” Bennett said as he shut the hitch of his truck.

“Now what have I told you about calling me sir?” Marlin asked, raising his eyebrows.

Bennett grinned. “It’s just habit.”

“And good manners. That’s one of the things that will help you keep that young woman of yours around.”

“God, I hope so. I’m not exactly sure what else I’ve got going for me.”

Marlin just laughed. “Anyway, you did a great job up there. If I didn’t know any better I’d say you were going to start your own construction company. Give me a run for my money.”

“Nah,” Bennett said, shaking his head. “I like the custom work too much. I wouldn’t want to deal with all the other stuff.”

“Well, when you start your own company for that wood work of yours, don’t jack your prices up so much that I can’t hire you.”

“That won’t happen, sir.”

Marlin just shook his head. “Did Annette tell you your next job?”

“Yes, I’m at the Henderson farm for the rest of the week.”

“Let me know if you need anything,” Marlin said before he turned to leave.

Marlin was a great guy in his late fifties. His hair was thin and graying, and he had a slight beer belly working its way over the top of his jeans, but he was still doing pretty good for himself. He’d gotten divorced about ten years ago when his wife had had an affair. Bennett had seen him dating here and there, but Marlin was too gun-shy to start anything serious. Once burned and all that.

“Hey Marlin,” Bennett called out. “You seeing anybody lately?”

Marlin turned back, his forehead wrinkled in confusion. “You asking me out?”

“No, I’m quite happy with Mel.” Bennett laughed. Really, that was a huge understatement. He was more than
quite
happy with her. He was
beyond
happy. “Do you know Virginia Rigels?”

Marlin’s expression went from confusion to intrigue in seconds. “Yes I do. She’s a bit young for me.”

“Can’t be more than ten years.”

“Yeah…” Marlin nodded. Bennett could tell he was thinking about it.

“I’ve spent a lot of time with her son lately. They’re both pretty great. But it was just a suggestion.”

“One that I’ll keep in mind. Have a good night with that girl of yours,” Marlin said before he headed off.

Bennett found himself grinning as he got into his truck. Mel sure as hell had changed him, and for the better. He’d never in his life played matchmaker, and it surprised the hell out of him that he was playing it now.

Bennett was just pulling into Mel’s driveway when his cell phone rang. He put his truck in park and looked at the display. It was Danny. “Hey man, what’s going on?” Bennett asked.

“Bennett,” Cindy sobbed. “Danny was in an accident.”

M
el was just pulling the chicken out of the oven when the front door opened. Teddy got up from the floor and bolted for the door.

“Hey babe,” she called out as she pulled the oven mitts off and threw them on the counter.

Bennett didn’t respond as he crossed the room. When he walked into the kitchen, Mel’s smile disappeared from her face in an instant.

Bennett was white as a ghost and he looked like he was going to be sick.

“What’s wrong?” She crossed the room to him and put her palms flat on his chest.

Bennett’s hands came up to cover hers. He swallowed hard, like he was trying to remember to talk. “Danny was in an accident at work.”

Danny was a forklift operator for a massive warehouse, so Mel knew that any job-related accident was going to be serious.

“What happened?”

“Some new guy wasn’t paying attention and dropped a crate on him.”

“Oh, God.” Mel’s hands tightened and she fisted Bennett’s shirt.

“He’s in surgery. It’s going to be awhile. I have to get up there.”

“Do you want me to go with you?”

“No,” he said almost immediately. She couldn’t help but flinch at how quickly he said it. His eyes focused on her face and some of the panic in his eyes cleared for a second. “Melanie, I don’t know what’s going on yet, and you have tons of stuff you have to take care of here.”

Shit. He was right. She was in the middle of finals week, and the awards ceremony was in two days. That project had been her baby from the beginning, and it had meant the world to her and, more important, to the kids. She really couldn’t miss it.

“Bennett, he’s your best friend. I want to be there for you.”

“I know, and I appreciate it. But let me get up there and figure out what’s going on. I need to go home and pack. I need to get on the road. If I leave now I’ll still probably make it there before he’s out of surgery. The lift crushed almost half of his body,” his voice cracked.

“Bennett.” She pulled her hand out from under his and reached for his face, running her thumb across the stubble on his jaw.

He leaned down and pressed his mouth to hers. His lips were soft as they moved over hers and she tasted his tongue for just a second before he pulled back and rested his forehead against hers.

“Call me when you get there.”

“It’s going to be late,” he said, shaking his head.

“I don’t care. Call me.”

He kissed her again, and Mel walked him to the door. She stood in the doorway, Teddy sitting at her feet. He seemed to sense the somber mood so he sat quietly with her, the two of them watching as Bennett pulled out of the driveway and drove away.

The drive to Athens, Georgia, should’ve taken Bennett six hours. He made it there in just over five.

It was almost midnight when he got to the hospital. He found Cindy and the kids in the nearly empty waiting room. June was asleep on her mother’s lap, while the boys slept on a couch across from her. Cindy was awake and staring at the TV in the corner. She might’ve been looking at the screen, but she wasn’t watching. Her eyes were bloodshot and unfocused.

“Cindy,” Bennett whispered her name as he came into the room.

She looked over at him and some clarity came into her eyes. “Bennett,” she said, sounding a little relieved. “You’re here.”

She stood up, and June stirred only a little as Cindy laid the child down on the chair. Bennett wrapped his arms around Cindy, and she seemed so much smaller than normal as she broke down into sobs.

“He’s still in surgery,” she said when she managed to talk. “He went into cardiac arrest from the blood loss.”

Bennett looked into her tear-stained face. “He’s going to be fine. Your husband is the strongest man I know, and he’s not going to let anyone or anything keep him from you or those kids. Do you hear me?”

Cindy just nodded as she reached up and wiped at her face. “Thank you for coming.”

“Where else would I be?”

Cindy’s little brother, Cory, had joined the air force, too. He was currently stationed in Germany, and their parents had gone over there to spend some time with him during the holidays. They were trying to get back, but as a significant portion of Europe was being plagued by a snowstorm, they weren’t going anywhere anytime soon. As for Danny’s family, his mother had died when he’d been in high school, and his father was in a nursing home battling Alzheimer’s. Bennett was the closest family they had.

They didn’t even have a strong network of friends in Athens. They’d only just moved there a couple of months ago when Danny had gotten the supervising job at the warehouse.

“What do you need me to do?” he asked her.

“For now? Just sit with me.”

“That I can do.” He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. He needed to calm his own fears for the time being, needed to be her rock. But who the hell was going to be his?

Mel had been dozing fitfully. Every time she’d start to nod off, she’d jerk awake and look at the alarm clock. It was after midnight and Bennett still hadn’t called. She wanted to call him, but he’d said he would call her. So she waited.

But she wasn’t waiting very well. She hadn’t spent a night away from him since that first time they’d slept together, and she hated being alone. It had taken her about two minutes before she’d invited Teddy up onto the bed with her.

The puppy hadn’t needed a second invitation. He was currently curled up next to her side, his head resting on her stomach. She was on the brink of sleep again when her phone finally rang, vibrating the bed. She grabbed for it eagerly, making Teddy jump.

“Hey,” she said relieved. “How’s Danny?”

“Still in surgery.”

“And Cindy?”

“She’s holding it together.”

“And you?”

“I’m fine, Mel.” He paused for a second before he continued. “You need to go to bed. You’re going to be exhausted tomorrow.”

“I wasn’t going to fall asleep until you called me. I’m glad you’re safe.”

“At least somebody is safe,” he said not keeping the contempt out of his voice.

“Bennett, don’t.”

“He might not make it, Mel.” There was so much pain and anger in his voice that it made Mel’s heart break.

She sat up in bed, clutching her chest. “Bennett, there are too many what-ifs in life. It’s impossible to know how everything is going to play out, so all you can do is pray that it’s the one you want, and not focus on the rest.”

“But that’s not how I do things. I’ve always had to prepare myself for the worst-case scenario.”

“Not this time, baby. This time you focus on the best; it’s the only way to survive it. Danny is going to pull through this.”

“Mel I…I have to go.” There was something about the way he said it that led her to believe that wasn’t what he’d planned on saying.

“Will you please promise me that you’ll call me if anything happens, or if you just need to talk? I don’t care what time it is.”

He sighed heavily into the phone.

“Promise me,” she demanded.

“I promise.” He didn’t sound too pleased about it at all.

“I’ll be here.” But she wished more than anything that she was
there
with him.

“Okay,” he agreed. “Now please go get some sleep.”

“’Night.”

“’Night.” And with that the phone disconnected.

Danny’s surgery had been a long and extensive one. The forklift had broken his left leg, left arm, and more than a few ribs. He had multiple internal injuries, including a collapsed lung, and a ruptured spleen that they’d had to remove. And then there was the matter of his head injury. He’d fallen backward when he’d been hit and cracked his head on the cement, and now he was comatose. He might’ve been out of surgery but he was nowhere near out of the woods.

Bennett hadn’t been prepared for what he saw when he walked into that hospital room. The man in the bed only had a vague resemblance to Danny. The top of his head was bandaged, and his eyes were black and blue. His arm and leg were in casts, and the rest of his body was wrapped in bandages. He looked like he was being held together by the white cloth.

Danny might’ve been short, but he definitely wasn’t a small man. That wasn’t the case now. He looked diminished somehow in that little bed, diminished and vulnerable.

It took everything in Bennett to not go running from the room screaming and crying. He was back in the desert, next to that burning wreckage of a helicopter, watching his friends die before his eyes and unable to do a damn thing to stop it. Bennett didn’t do helpless. He couldn’t do it, couldn’t handle it.

This wasn’t happening to him again. Danny had been the strong one. Danny had been the one to save Bennett’s life.

Bennett couldn’t do what Mel had told him to do. He couldn’t only focus on the best possible scenario. No, because all he could think about as he looked at his best friend, who saved his life, was that he was keeping watch at Danny’s deathbed.

Bennett was exhausted, so he headed over to the hotel around three to get a few hours of sleep before he took over the night shift. He hoped Cindy would actually be able to pull herself away when he got back. She was going to make herself sick if she kept up the pace she was at. She hadn’t slept in over thirty-two hours.

Bennett had left the kids in the waiting room, huddled around a small DVD player. Alex might’ve been only ten, but Bennett was impressed at how well he was looking after his little brother and sister. He was going to be a big help in the next couple of days, especially for his mother.

Bennett pulled out his cell phone and called Mel. He’d talked to her that morning and given her an update on Danny’s post surgery status, but he needed to hear her voice again.

“Hey,” she said almost immediately. The phone had barely gotten through the first ring.

He closed his eyes and let that one little word wrap around him. Her voice was like a light in the darkness.

“Hi.”

“How is he?”

“Still hasn’t woken up. But there was a lot of swelling in his brain, so it’s going to take some time. Tell me about your day.”

“All right,” she said and proceeded to talk to him about everything and about nothing. When he got back to the hotel room the only thing he bothered to do before he lay down on the bed was take off his shoes. After that, he listened to the sound of Mel’s voice until he passed out.

Mel was barely able to focus on anything. Her thoughts were consumed by what was happening 350 miles north of her. She’d talked to Bennett multiple times over the last two days, and there hadn’t been any real progress since Danny had gotten out of surgery.

Mel really wanted to be there for Bennett and the whole Provo family. But she was hesitant after Bennett had said
no
so quickly the first time she’d suggested it, that and the fact that he hadn’t mentioned anything about her going up there.

Mel tried her hardest to hold it together, but the fact that Bennett wasn’t going to be at the ceremony after he’d put so much of himself into the project was killing her. And it was more than just Mel who felt Bennett’s absence. The kids were asking about him constantly.

At six o’clock on Thursday night, everything was ready to go. The bookshelves were all up, and filled with books. Grace and Lula Mae made more than enough finger foods laid out on the back tables. A massive bowl had been filled with green punch which had red berries floating on the top.

Families were filing into the library, laughing and talking about the upcoming Christmas vacation. It all made Mel feel hollow. People’s lives were going on, while this tragedy had happened. It was all
wrong
.

Hamilton came up to her. “I know this sucks for you.”

“He should be here,” Mel said softly.

“I know.” Hamilton frowned. “He helped with a lot more than just the bookshelves.”

“I know. Dale’s an entirely different kid.”

“Right?” Hamilton grinned. “You know he asked Kylee out.”

“Really?” Mel asked, intrigued.

“Yup, and his mom has a date with Marlin Yance this weekend.”

“Seriously?”

“No joke. Mrs. Rigels took us to get pizza last night and Mr. Yance was there. And before he asked her out he asked for Dale’s permission.”

“What did Dale say?”

“Yes. I think he was too shocked to say anything else. It completely made Mrs. Rigels’s night.”

This time Mel couldn’t help smiling. It was Bennett. She just knew he was behind that one.

“You heard anything new about Mr. Provo?”

“I talked to Bennett earlier today. There hasn’t been a change. I just wish I was up there with him.”

“You going to be able to get through this?” Hamilton asked, nodding toward the podium.

“What other choice do I have?”

“You’ve got a lot of choices. You could run for the hills. But I don’t see you doing that.”

“Is that right?”

“Nope, not my sister. She’s the bravest person I know.”

Mel was at a complete loss for words as Hamilton pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. It probably wasn’t the best time for Mel to forget how to talk as Principal Bolinder was making his way to the podium to start the ceremony, because she would be speaking soon.

Hopefully she’d be able to pull herself together by then.

Only a few chairs were lined up against the back wall, because there were so many people and they needed as much space as they could get. The room was packed, but everyone quieted down as Principal Bolinder began to speak.

Since the bookshelves were the big part of the ceremony, they were saved for the very end. Mel thought she’d been okay, but when Principal Bolinder called her name, she wasn’t sure how she was going to do it.

“You got this,” Hamilton said next to her, squeezing her hand tight before he let go.

Mel made her way to the podium to a room full of applause. She looked out at the crowd seeing her parents, friends, and colleagues, her students, and so many people from the town that it was ridiculous. They were all beaming at her.

It took everything in her not to lose it. How was it that in a room filled with people she felt so freaking alone? This wasn’t where she was supposed to be. She was supposed to be with Bennett.