Page 39 of A Burning Rage

The woman nods to Cooper. “I will.” Her neutral composure slips a bit. “I’m sorry I don’t have better news for you.”

I stare up at the doctor, wishing she could give me something positive. Anything. My eyes flood with fresh tears when she doesn’t.

As the doctor walks away, the waiting room grows quiet. There’s a heavy stillness in the air as everyone processes the news.

I stare down at my lap, at my now somewhat clean hands, unable to look at anyone. There’s a roaring sound in my head that matches my racing pulse.

Critical condition.

Internal bleeding.

They don’t know.

Someone takes hold of my hands, and I look up to see Bridget kneeling in front of me, her eyes red from crying.

“Please don’t worry, honey,” she says. “He’s strong. He’ll be okay.”

I nod, wanting desperately to believe her, and wanting to comfort her just as much as she wants to comfort me. But the truth is, the human body can only take so much before it gives out. My throat closes up on me when I say, “He saved me, Bridget. Andrew was going to shoot me, and Shane threw himself in front of me.”

Fresh tears spill from her blue eyes as she cups my cheek with a shaking hand. “Of course, he did, sweetheart. He wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Tears blind me, and my voice cracks. “It should have been me.”

She shakes her head. “No, honey. Think of Luke and Ava. They need you.”

They need their father, too!

But I don’t say the words aloud. We’re all hurting too much as it is. I can’t even bring myself to acknowledge that he might—

“Calum and I will stay,” Bridget says. “If you need to go home—”

“No!” I soften my tone. “Thank you, but I can’t leave him.”

Bridget gives me a sad smile. “I just thought—I mean, if you wanted to be with the kids.”

“They’re in good hands with Mom and Joe. My place right now is here.”

She nods. “I understand.”

Calum appears behind Bridget and helps her rise to her feet. “Come sit down, honey.”

Bridget gives my hands one last squeeze before she leans down to kiss my cheek. “He’ll be fine,” she whispers. “You just have to believe that. I do.”

I don’t know how much time has passed when someone comes through that same unmarked door—a nurse this time.

“Mrs. McIntyre?” she says, but her gaze is already directed at me. Someone probably gave her my description.

I stand, along with Sam and Cooper. “Yes?”

The nurse gives me a sympathetic smile. “I just wanted to let you know your husband is in surgery now. As soon as we know more, we’ll update you.”

“Do you know how long it will take?” Cooper asks.

The woman shakes her head. “I’m afraid not. There’s too much we don’t know at this time.”

* * *

I sit numbly in my seat, unaware of what’s going on around me. People come and go, stopping by to give me words of encouragement. I just smile and say “Thank you.”