Fearless (24 page)

“Hey, Lexi, what’s wrong?” he shouted, jogging toward her. Once he got closer, he realized she’d been crying.

“Thank God you’re here,” she cried, bracing her hands on his forearms. “Trey called from the hospital. They’ve taken Sierra in.”

His stomach pitched and rolled. He had been at the hospital the day Trey and Sierra lost their first daughter. He couldn’t stand the thought of what it would do to them if they had to live through every parent’s worst nightmare twice in one lifetime.

“Let me take you to the hospital,” he said, running around to open the passenger’s door for her.

“Thanks,” she whispered. She held her hand out. “My hands are shaking so bad I’m not sure I could trust myself to shift gears.” She stopped and looked up at him before climbing into the truck. “What are they gonna do if the baby doesn’t make it, Josh?”

He heard the fear in her voice and he wished there was something he could do to put her mind at ease, but he knew he didn’t have to power to affect the outcome in this situation. “You just have to think positive thoughts, sweetheart.” He kissed her forehead. “And a prayer or two wouldn’t hurt, either.”

Her bottom lip trembled and her eyes filled with unshed tears. “I just hope He’s listenin’.”

“Me too, honey.” He made sure she was safely tucked inside before sprinting around the front of the truck. His mind raced ahead to the scene at the hospital if the press got wind of this news. Sierra and Trey would be bombarded with reporters clamouring to get the scoop, and that was the last thing they needed to deal with right now. He turned toward Lexi. “Do you know if Luc or Marisa are at the hospital right now?” 

She twisted her purse strap between her hands. “I don’t know. I only talked to Trey for a minute. Why?” 

“I’d like to know what’s in store before we get there, ya know?”

“You mean reporters?”

He gripped the steering wheel. It was bad enough Trey and Sierra had to face this, but they certainly didn’t need to worry about vultures circling to feed off their tragedy. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”

She reached across the gearshift to grasp his thigh. “I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t shown up when you did.”

He stole a glance at her as they waited at a stop sign. She looked more scared and vulnerable than he had ever seen her. It proved to him that Lexi’s loyalty to those she loved ran deep. He only hoped after tonight he would be able to count himself among that select group.

“You’re the strongest woman I know, Lex. You would have pulled it together and stayed strong for your sister. I have no doubt about that.”

She bit her bottom lip. “I’m just so scared for them. I don’t know what they’ll do if...”

“Sssh, don’t even think that.”

She flattened her fist against her mouth and cried. “I can’t help it. I just keep thinking about the last time...”

“Don’t let yourself go there, honey.”

“I can’t imagine what it must be like to lose a child,” she whispered.

He cleared his throat. The thought of it made him feel physically ill. He couldn’t even fathom what it would be like to live through it, how any parent would find the strength to move on. “Being a parent is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. If something happened to one of my kids...” He couldn’t even finish the thought. It was too painful to even think about it.

“Is that why you want to have another baby?” she asked.

He looked over at her. “I thought having another baby was a deal breaker, Lexi. I was wrong.”

She shifted in her seat to face him. “What do you mean? You’re having second thoughts about what you want?”

He pulled to a stop in front of the hospital emergency. They would have to table this discussion until they knew Sierra and her baby were safe. “You go on in. I’ll park the truck and meet you inside, okay?”

She reached across the front seat to give him a hug. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.” She reached back and cupped his cheek in her hand. “I love you, Josh.”

He smiled, feeling the weight slide off his shoulders. “I love you too, sweetheart. Now you get in there and check on your sister.”

He watched her walk through the glass doors as his heart pummelled his chest. She finally said the words he’d been aching to hear. No matter what happened, no matter the sacrifice, he intended to spend the rest of his life making her feel safe.

Lexi ran up to the admissions desk. “Excuse me. I’m looking for my sister, Sierra Turner. Can you tell me which room she’s in, please?” Lexi waited while the gray-haired nurse typed the name into her computer.

“We’re not able to disclose her room number, miss. If you go up to the 4
^th
floor, they may be able to help you.”

“Thank you.” She ran down the hall toward a bank of elevators and punched the button. She waited a few seconds and punched the button again. She heard deep male laughter rumbling behind her and turned around to see a face she hadn’t seen in fifteen years. 

“As impatient as ever, I see.”

“Oh my God, Doug Lang? Is that really you?” She and Doug had dated their senior year in high school, but parted amicably when she went away to school. She reached up to give him a hug. “It’s so good to see you.”

He bent down to draw her into his arms. “It’s good to see you too, Lexi. It’s been a long time.”

She drew back to look at him. He wore a white coat with a nametag that identified him as a doctor. “I see you followed in your father’s footsteps? Your parents must be so proud.”

His parents had never cared for Lexi. Most of her teachers and friends knew about her situation at home and were sympathetic, but there were those, like Doug’s parents, who didn’t approve of their son associating with a girl from the wrong kind of family.

“They are, but I learned a long time ago that their opinion is not the be all to end all.”

A look passed between them and she knew he was feeling guilty about the way his parents had treated her. The elevator door opened and they both stepped inside. She reached across him to select the correct number and a shock of electricity passed between them. She laughed. “Sorry about that.”

He looked down at her and smiled. “Don’t be. There always were sparks between us. Nice to see some things never change.”

She felt the blush creep up her neck and stain her cheeks. Doug had been her first lover, and their last summer together, they would sneak away to make love every chance they got. “What’s new with you, Doug? Wife, kids?”

He chuckled. “No, I’m afraid the job leaves little time for a social life. How ‘bout you?”

She shook her head. “Still single.” Her mind rallied against her claim. Even though she and Josh hadn’t labeled their relationship, she knew she didn’t want anyone else.

He stepped off the elevator and turned toward her. “Maybe we could have dinner sometime, catch up, talk about the old days?”

She smiled. “I’d like that, Doug.” She reached into her purse to extract a business card. “Give me a call sometime.”

He reached down to brush his lips over her cheek. “You can count on it.”

She was about to define the dinner, explain that she wanted to get out as friends, when she saw Josh stalking toward them.

He stopped just behind Doug. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend, Lexi?”

She flushed and stammered, feeling like she had been caught doing something she should be ashamed of, even though she knew her exchange with Doug had been perfectly innocent. “Ah, yeah, Doug Lang, this is Josh Cooper.”

Doug turned toward Josh and extended his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Josh accepted his hand and glanced back at Lexi. “So, how do you two know each other?”

“We went to high school together,” Lexi said, quickly.

Doug chuckled and put his arm around her shoulders. “Yeah, Lexi was the girl who broke my heart my senior year. I thought we’d get married someday...” He looked down at Lexi. “I guess one never knows what the future might hold, right, Lex?”

Lexi saw the fury in Josh’s eyes and stepped out of Doug’s embrace. She extended her hand awkwardly. “Uh, it was nice seeing you again, Doug. Take care.”

He laughed and took her hand in his, turning it over to surround it with both of his. “About that dinner...” 

She glanced over her shoulder at Josh, who was glaring down at her. “Uh, I’m sorry I have to go, Doug. My sister has just been admitted, and I have to check on her.”

He frowned. “Is your sister’s married name Turner by chance?”

Lexi nodded. “Why do you ask?”

“I just got a call from her doctor. She’s out of town, so she asked me to take over Sierra’s case.” He laughed. “Small world, isn’t it?”

“Too small, if you ask me,” Josh muttered.

Josh may be upset about the turn of events, but Lexi couldn’t help but feel relieved that her sister was being treated by a friend, instead of a busy doctor who wouldn’t give her the time and attention she deserved. “Can you tell me about her condition, Doug?”

He shook his head. “I haven’t even had a chance to examine her yet. I was just heading in to her room now. Why don’t you sit tight and I’ll give you an update as soon as I know her status?”

She placed her hand on his forearm. “Please, promise me you’ll take good care of her? She can’t lose this baby,” she whispered.

He folded his hand over hers. “I’ll do everything I can to help her. Don’t worry. She’s in good hands, I promise.”

She watched him walk down the hall and through a door marked 406.

“What the hell was that about?” Josh whispered, looking down the corridor.

“We dated in high school, end of story.” She started walking toward the small waiting area.

He grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. “It looks like he’d like to pick up where you left off.”

She rolled her eyes. “Can we have this conversation another time? My sister is my only concern right now.” She shook her arm free and claimed a seat across from a man and young child. She smiled at the little girl whose face was streaked with tears. “Hi,” she said quietly.

The little girl looked up at her daddy, who gave her a reassuring smile. “Hi,” she whispered.

“My name’s Lexi. What’s your name?”

“Madison,” she said quietly, turning into her daddy’s side.

Lexi smiled. The little girl was beautiful. She had long, curly brown hair and dark, innocent eyes.

“That’s a pretty name. Do your friends call you Maddie?”

She straightened the dress on the doll she had clutched in her chubby little hands. “Sometimes.”

“My best friend in elementary school was named Madison, but we all called her Maddie.”

The little girl looked up. “Was she pretty?”

“Oh, very pretty.” Lexi smiled. “She looked a lot like you, in fact.”

Maddie’s cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink. “You think I’m as pretty as your friend?”

Lexi smiled at the man with his arm around his daughter. “Maybe even prettier. What’s your doll’s name?”

“Freckles.” She held the doll up so Lexi could have a closer look. “I drew the freckles on her face with a marker, see?”

Lexi leaned forward for a better look. “Very creative. I bet no else has a doll that looks quite like yours.” 

The little girl thought about that for a minute. “I bet you’re right.” She looked closely at Lexi. “You don’t look sick. How come you’re in a hospital?”

“I’m here to see my sister. She’s having a baby.”

Her face lit up with excitement. “Hey, so is my mommy.”

“Really? That’s exciting.” Lexi leaned forward, looking to her left and her right. “Do you know if you’re going to have a brother or sister? Or is it a secret?” she whispered.

Maddie giggled and kicked her legs out in front of her. “A brother. His name’s gonna be Liam, right, Daddy?” she asked, looking up for confirmation.

The man ruffled the top of his daughter’s head and smiled. “That’s right, honey.” He smiled at Lexi. “I’m supposed to be in there with my wife, but my mother-in-law came down with the flu and couldn’t watch Madison.”

Lexi looked at the little girl. She had never baby-sat before in her life, but how hard could it be to entertain a little girl for a while? “If you’d like to go in and spend some time with your wife, I’d be happy to hang out with Maddie. That is, if you’re okay with it,” she said quickly.

He frowned. “Are you sure it wouldn’t be an imposition?”

She shook her head and extracted a business card from her bag. “Here’s my card.” She inclined her head toward Josh who was standing a few feet away checking his messages. “My friend over there was a police detective, so I can promise you she’ll be safe with us, Mr...”

The man extended his hand and smiled. “Rick Edwards. I can’t thank you enough for doing this, Lexi. I tried to take Maddie in a little while ago, but she got so upset when she saw that her mom was in pain.” He shrugged. “I tried to explain, but it’s kind of hard to explain this kind of thing to a five-year-old.”

“I understand. Go on. Be with your wife. Maddie and I will have a little girl time, right, cutie?” Lexi said with a wink.

Madison giggled and kicked her feet. “Right.”

Rick stood up. “It’s way past her bedtime, so she may just wanna stretch out on the couch over there and fall asleep. If you need to leave, just come get me.” 

“Don’t worry, we’ll be fine.”

Josh watched the interaction between Lexi and the little girl and he felt a strong stab of regret for the children they would never have together. He had no doubt she would be an excellent mother, but the wounds from her childhood prevented her from believing that. It seemed there was nothing he could do to change her mind.

He had already decided he would accept a relationship with Lexi on her terms. Because even having only the small part of her that she was willing to share was better than having the whole package with anyone else. The little voice in his head told him he was settling for less than he deserved and he would live to regret the sacrifices he would have to make to have Lexi in his life. But he chose to believe that any sacrifice would be worth it if he could wake up beside her every morning and fall asleep with her in his arms every night.