Chapter Forty-Eight
Kennedi paced the waiting area. She’d never been on the east wing of the facility. The hospital’s white floor-to-ceiling layout and antiseptic scent was in stark contrast to the plush furnishings and polished hardwood of the west wing. “Why is it taking so long?”
“Try to relax.” Evie took her hand and guided her to a chair. “I’m sure we’ll hear something soon.”
“Hey, any news?”
They turned to see Tabitha quickly approaching. Kennedi stood. “Not yet.” Tears spilled over. “Tab, I’m sorry about what I said.” She hugged her friend tight.
“I’m sorry too. I care about you and don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“I know.” Kennedi kept hold of Tabitha’s hand and reached out the other to Evie. “I don’t know what I’d do without you two. Thank you for always being there for me.”
“You do so much for us. We got you, girlfriend.” Evie hugged her.
“Kenni, you should know, I stopped by Trenton’s on the way here to tell him about your father’s condition. I figured you’d want him to know.”
Accepting the travel pack of Kleenex Tabitha handed her, she dried her eyes with clear understanding that her friend was looking out for her well-being. But she suspected the visit to Trenton had been with a purpose that went beyond the kind gesture. There was an undercurrent—to make a point that Kennedi wasn’t at the top of Trenton’s priority list today.
“Kennedi?”
Hearing that familiar deep voice, she turned, and her heart practically leaped from her chest. Dressed in another of his perfectly fitted suits, Trenton headed straight for her in all his stalking grace. He pulled her into the comfort of his arms with a kiss upon her forehead.
“Tabitha told me about your father.” He and Kennedi met her stark stare, then looked back at one another. “How is he?”
“He’s still in surgery. They think the tumor may have ruptured. The doctor had been reluctant to do the surgery because the tumor is practically wrapped around the brain stem and could also cause a hemorrhage. They’d been administering medication to try to shrink it before attempting to operate. Now they have no choice.” Kennedi had stopped trying to halt the tears. “It’s been over an hour.”
“Try not to worry.” They sat together on the double-cushioned seat, his arm encircling her shoulders, drawing her close.
“Can I get you guys some coffee?” Tabitha asked.
Looking up at her friend, whose stare was severe and darkly penetrating, Kennedi shook her head. “No, thanks.”
“None for me, thanks,” Trenton replied.
Evie came to her feet. “I’ll go with you to stretch my legs.”
They started off, but Tabitha twirled back, her attention centering on Trenton. “I’m glad you’re here for her.” She pivoted and walked on.
Eyes wide, Trenton turned his head to Kennedi. “She smiled at me.” He chuckled. “Wow, I didn’t think I’d ever see that.”
“You shouldn’t be here. You’re supposed to be at your counseling appointment. You should go.” She attempted to pull away from his embrace, but he held on.
“I’m right where I need to be.”
Staring back at him, aware of what he was sacrificing to merely sit and wait out the surgery, her heart drummed wildly with love for him as she settled into the warmth and comfort of his shoulder, letting his closeness seep into her frantic being like a lulling wave.
A caressing stroke on her arm woke Kennedi from her doze. She lifted her head from the pillow of Trenton’s lap and looked up into Dr. Marek’s expressionless face. Tabitha and Evie stood beside him.
Kennedi’s frame became an instant curl of tension as she checked her watch and sat up. A good four hours had gone by. She and Trenton came to their feet. “How’s my father?”
“He’s been in recovery without complications for about an hour and has been moved to a private room where he’ll be monitored for the next twenty-four hours. I managed to get a good bit of the tumor but not all. To do so might result in a stroke or worse.”
She exhaled slowly and let go of the anxiety along the way. “Can I see him?”
“Yes, but he’s heavily sedated and likely will be under for a few hours.”
Taking Trenton’s hand in hers, with Tabitha and Evie in tow, she led the way.
Kennedi watched the slow, even pulse of Pop’s breathing, afraid to take her eyes off him, worried how much longer she had with him.
Tabitha and Evie had hung around for hours until Kennedi had insisted they go home and get some rest.
Across the room, Trenton spoke on his phone in a voice too low for her to hear. She tried to read his profile, the way he rubbed the back of his neck. It’d been his second phone call. The first had gone unanswered. Just then, he turned his gaze on her before abruptly disconnecting, then strode over and sat next to her on the couch.
“He’s been asleep for hours,” she whispered.
“Dr. Marek said it’s expected.” He brought her legs upon his lap and stroked her calves, his expression distant as he focused on the muted television screen on the wall in front of him.
“You missed your appointment.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Did you reschedule?”
“I tried, but before she hung up on me she let me know by the use of a few choice words what she thought of me.”
Stiffening, Kennedi swung her legs down and looked at him. “You shouldn’t have come here. My goodness, Trenton—”
He pressed a light finger over her lips. “She knows about you. I told her I had to be with my lady to tend to a sick relative. That, I believe, is what royally set her off. I can be here for you at the drop of a hat, as she put it, but never would I ever have done it for her when we were together. I’ll let things cool, then try calling her again later to reschedule.”
Kennedi leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. “Trent, I’m sorry.”
He pulled her up into his lap and tenderly cupped her cheek. “I know you could be with someone whose life is far less complicated. But I want you. I want us.” His arms circled her waist, drawing her close to his chest in a possessive curl. “Every part of your world that is important to you is important to me. I see you, Kennedi. I see the strong, beautiful, passionate woman you are. I want to build a future with you. I hope you continue to give me a chance to show you just how much.”
Pop stirred.
She tensed, jumped to her feet and rushed to the bedside. Trenton hurried out of the room to get the doctor. Seconds later, he returned with Dr. Marek. Kennedi held her breath as he checked Pop’s vitals.
His eyes fluttered open.
“There you are, Mr. Chase.” Dr. Marek smiled. “You did really well.” He explained briefly to Pop what took place during the surgery.
Pop opened his hand to Kennedi and she almost wept as she latched hold. He recognized her. Too soon, his eyes shuttered closed again, then his breathing fell back into an even rhythm.
Once Dr. Marek left the room, she turned to Trenton who’d been right by her side. There were so many unknowns. But what was certain was her love for this man who held her within his protective arms, who’d been there for her and who she trusted with her heart.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she offered up a light peck on the lips and saw a world of promise in those steel-blue eyes.
“I see you too, Trenton Shaw. You’re here with me. I need no more proof than that.”