West of Forever (Heartstone Ranch #1)(95)

The anger I was so tightly holding on to explodes. I’m on my feet in an instant, staring down at my youngest sister. “If you think for one second Emmy Jo wouldn’t be happy for me, then you didn’t know her at all. She wouldn’t want me to live my life in constant pain. She never wanted me to grieve her. I loved my wife. I buried my wife and have been raising Sadie alone. Don’t you dare bring Emmy Jo into this, because you know what? She’d be happy that I found someone. She’d be over the fucking moon to know that there’s a woman who cares about Sadie as well and who Sadie likes. And for you to sit there and spew your absolute garbage, knowing how I feel about her, is so fucked up, I can’t even put it into words.”

Fallon closes her eyes and then rubs her hand down her face. “I’m sorry.”

“You should be.”

Sure, I could be gracious and just accept it, but I’m not there. To bring up Emmy Jo and try to make me think that she’d disapprove was a step over the line.

I glance at Harper and Veronica to see whether they’re going to weigh in, but they stay silent.

“I am,” Fallon says, getting to her feet. “Truly, I shouldn’t have said that, and you’re right. Emmy Jo wouldn’t have judged you.”

“But you do,” I toss back.

She sighs, her shoulders drooping. “I don’t know. I just…I hate them. It’s so much easier to hate them because I need to hate someone!”

I understand that all too well. I move around to my sister and pull her into my arms. As much as I’d like to just stay mad at her, I can’t. “Hating them won’t bring him back.”

Fallon wraps her arms around me. “I know this. I do, but I miss him.”

“I know.”

She lets go, wiping at her face. “I was really mean to Lark a week or so ago.”

“She told me.”

“I was out of line.”

I nod. “When she wakes up, you can tell her that.”

Fallon sighs heavily. “Tristan, what if she doesn’t? I’m not saying that to be mean, I swear,” she says quickly. “I heard someone talking about the swelling around her brain. I don’t want to see you hurt.”

That ship has sailed, and there’s no turning it around. I can’t even entertain that possibility. I won’t put that out into the universe, because that can’t be an option for me. She has to wake up. She has to be okay.

Surely there is no omnipotent power that would allow me to suffer losing the other woman I’ve loved.

“She’ll wake up.”

Harper clears her throat. “Tristan, I know you don’t want to contemplate it, but…”

I shake my head. “There are no buts. She’ll wake up. She’ll be fine. I’ll fix the mess I made, and then you’re all going to be nice, because I love her. Understand?”

My three sisters look at each other and then at me.

Harper first. “Sure.”

Then Veronica. “I’ll be nice.”

And lastly Fallon. “I promise to do my best.”

I glare at her.

She throws her hands up. “Fine. I’ll be nice to her and only her. The rest of the Gatlins are assholes.”

I’ll take it.

I’m about to say something when my phone rings. It’s Lark’s dad.

I quickly swipe the phone. “Hello?”

“Tristan, you need to get here—fast.”









Chapter 39





Lark




“Tristan,” I croak, looking around the room, completely confused. I had a tube down my throat when I woke, and they removed it after I started freaking out.

They explained quickly that I was okay, that I was injured and to just rest.

I have no idea how long ago that was, because I must’ve fallen back asleep before waking again.

“He’s coming, sweetheart,” my mother’s voice says.

“Momma?”

“Yes, baby, I’m right here.”

I open my eyes slowly, the light so bright it actually hurts.

There’s beeping and movement all around me.

Dear God, my head is pounding.

I move my arm up to my temple, pulling on a tube in my hand.

“Easy there, Lark,” a soft male voice says. “I’m Dr. Siesler, and I’m just going to take a look at you, make sure everything is all right.”

I let out a whimper because nothing feels all right.

The doctor shines a bright-ass light in my eyes, moves my arms, and tests my muscle movement.

Being careful since my head is throbbing, I let my lashes flutter open, taking in the scene. I’m clearly in the hospital. My parents are standing on the right side of the bed, my mother wrapped in Daddy’s arms. On the other side is who I’m assuming is the doctor, based on the lab coat.

Before I can ask my parents anything, the doctor speaks: “Now that you seem a little more awake, can you tell me what you remember?”

I close my eyes, needing the small respite from the light. “My head.”

“We’ll get you some medicine.”

Medicine would be good.

“I’d really like if you could try to tell me anything of what you recall.”