Page 55 of Waiting in Wyoming
Either their sister’s or Heather’s.
Brandt would never forget the sight of that bloody handprint and what it represented.
Alex had his hand on Brandt and Mac’s shoulders now. “We’re here to take an inventory of the damage,” Alex said. “For Mom. She doesn’t want to come back home until the house is…repaired. Down here and upstairs in Powell’s old room. Mig broke in through the balcony windows. That behemoth didn’t fit anywhere else.”
Brandt nodded. He’d met the head of the SWAT team who had helped save his family at the hospital that morning, hovering over two of Heather’s sisters. Commander Miguel Rodriguez made Brandt feeldainty,that guy.
“There’s blood up there, too. Mig…took the guy out. Guy is going to live, though,” Alex said. “I heard he’s already talking.”
Brandt just nodded, as he followed Charlotte through his parents’ home. Where he had grown up. Been lucky—he knew he had had a privileged upbringing here.
And he wanted to give his children that same kind of love someday.
They made a list of the damage and grabbed clothing for both of their parents. Then Brandt almost forced Mac to drivehim back to the hospital to spend some time with Powell. Mac had walked to their parents’ from where he had been camping at Alex’s. Mac had his own place in Hughes Heights, but he wasn’t living in it yet.
Alex said Mac was helping him watch over Heather’s family for now.
That Mac felt he owed that woman that much.
Brandt would never forget the pain on his oldest brother’s face when a tiny dark-haired girl popped her head over Alex’s fence and asked “Neighbor Alex” if he knew when her mommy was coming home. Because she really, really missed her mommy right now. And Baby Ember really needed their mommy very soon, too.
The cousin watching her had tears in her eyes when she explained to Heather’s three-year-old that they just didn’t know yet, but the doctors were taking really good care of her mommy now. Brandt would never forget the worry on that precious little girl’s face the moment she gave Neighbor Alex the hug he asked for.
He didn’t think his brothers ever would, either.
Two or three of those bastards who had hurt his family had escaped. Neither Brandt nor his brothers were taking that lightly. Not for a moment. A big part of him wanted to be out there looking for those bastards himself. For his sister, his parents, for Heather and her innocent daughters. For all of them.
Brandt left his brothers at Alex’s and then headed back to the hotel, where he’d left the woman who had his heart.
He just needed to be with her now. No matter what.
45
Powell had been coaxeddown to the cafeteria, finally. Brandt’s mother had played the “baby needs to eat, too” card to get Powell away from Gunnar’s side. It worked. But only if Brandt promised to stay with Gunnar.
Rhea and Gerald had taken Meyra back to the hotel with them. They were intending to eat in the dining room, and then she was going back toBrandt’ssuite. Gerald had been a bit of a bear when Meyra had told him exactly where she was sleeping, but Rhea had kept her husband contained.
She’d told Gerald not to be an idiot, and it wasn’t like it was a shock or anything. Everyone had known it would happen eventually.
Meyra had informed her father she was an adult, and it was none of his business. Not exactly how Brandt had intended to tell her father, but what was done was done.
He was so damned tired of wasting time.
What had happened to his family had reiterated that. He wanted that woman,loved her beyond words,and now he wanted what came next.
He texted her quickly—it was near eleven now. His little early bird was probably long in bed, but he had to check. Brandt wasn’t really that keen on letting her out of his sight. Not now.
Not considering what his sister could have lost. He had seen so muchpainin Powell’s beautiful brown eyes, he would never forget.
He checked on Gunnar and Daniel—both men were sound asleep. As was the woman in the chair next to Daniel’s bed. One of Heather’s family—they’d volunteered to sit with Daniel so he wouldn’t be alone, either. Not that Daniel actually was, but Brandt understood. Heather’s family wanted to dosomethingto help somehow.
Brandt stood; he felt so damned restless now. He’d step out—there was a small landing at the end of the fourth-floor hallway that was fully enclosed. It looked out over the city. He’d step out there, breathe, reorient himself, and check on Meyra. Tell her he’d be at least another hour or so and not to wait up for him.
It felt different having her waiting for him. Knowing he had her to go back to.
He stepped into the hall. Gunnar and Daniel were in 403. Heather was down the hall in 412. Her door was open and there was a small light on. He looked in—that woman had everyone terrified now.
There was someone in her room now. Two someones, including a woman who looked like Heather. She was asleep, as well. He looked at the other occupant. ICU had a visitor limit, but Heather’s nephew ran the hospital. Her other nephew’s father-in-law owned it. They were making exceptions for Heather’s family. And Brandt’s. Heather had stabilized, and they were letting visitors in again now.