Page 21 of Condor’s Vow

Placing her hand on her brother’s back, she looked at Todd. He had been through enough medical procedures to know the basics. “Well?”

“I don’t know, Hattie. You’re a nurse, and you have the POA. What do you think?”

Hattie fought a sigh as the decision was once again placed solely on her shoulders, tiredness beginning to take its toll. “I think he should get it done. Without it, he’ll be barely mobile, and I think twelve to eighteen months is the best case. The reality is much less. With the op, yes there are risks, but we need to try.”

“Not that anyone wants my opinion or cares, but if it were my parent, I’d get it done. But this is a family decision, not one just for Hattie to make. She may have power of attorney, but he’s everyone’s father.”

Hattie looked up at Clay, tears pricking her eyes that someone had at last given an opinion.

Martin raised his head and she tensed, wondering if he might react badly to what Clay had said, but he merely nodded. He looked ravaged by the news and the actuality she’d been dealing with alone for so long. “He’s right. This is a decision for all of us to make. We’ve put too much on Hattie, and it stops today. I agree he should have the operation.”

Martin looked at Todd, who nodded. “Then it’s agreed. He has the operation and from now on, we make these decisions as a family and don’t put it all on Hattie because we’re fucking pussies.”

Relief flooded Hattie, and a sob tore through her before she found herself in Clay’s arms. He wrapped her in a hug, his arms around her as she laid her head against his chest and let the emotion go before pulling herself together.

They spent the rest of the night talking to the surgeon and spending a little time with her father before he went for surgery the following morning. He was worried about Mr. Chester, his dog apparently, and she promised he was safe, and she’d look after him. Then they decided Martin would stay while the others went home to get some sleep and to meet back there in the morning.

Clay walked her to her car, his arms still holding her up and on one of the worst nights of her life, he had made it better. He opened her car door and stood in the open space while she buckled up.

“My truck is just up there.” He nodded just along from her, and she was surprised she didn’t recognize it when she’d finished earlier, but she’d been tired and wanted to get home. God, that seemed like a lifetime ago now. “I’m going to follow you home to make sure you get there okay and then I’ll call you in the morning, okay?”

“You don’t need to do that, Clay. You’ve done so much already. Way more than is expected of a date.”

Clay hunched down, balancing on the balls of his feet, pulling the material over his thick thighs tight, and making her body stand up and take note. His hand cupped her neck and brought her face close to his. “First, you didn’t expect it. I offered, and second, I hope you see me as more than just a date. ’Cos, I gotta tell you, I see us as way more than that already after one date. I see this being long term, and I mean like fifty-sixty years long term. I wasn’t lying when I said I liked you, Hattie. I want to be here for you through all the hardships and the joys. To get to know your family better and do all the things a boyfriend does, and that includes making sure you get home safe when you’re dead on your feet.”

“Okay, Clay.” She had no words to articulate how she felt about what he’d just said so she leaned in and let her mouth touch his in a kiss she hoped showed him instead. It turned carnal quickly and if he hadn’t pulled back when he did, her hands would’ve been stripping his shirt from his body there in the parking lot of the hospital at three am in the morning.

“Let’s go, gorgeous, before I forget I’m a gentleman.”

He let her go and closed her door before striding quickly to his own car. He followed her home and after seeing her inside, waved and drove off. Hattie leaned against her front door and smiled. Despite the trauma of the night she was happy, and she had a kickass boyfriend.