Shade nodded.

“Because I know you’re responsible for Rachel staying, and you’ve made sure one of the men is always at the hospital. You’re a nice guy, Shade.”

“No, I’m not.”

Shade’s sharp reply had her shaking her head at him, turning back to the kitchen. “Yes, you are.”

“No, I’m fucking not!” Shade went out the door, slamming the door to prove it.

The drive to the hospital didn’t take long. Shade pulled up to the hospital door, expecting Lily to come out. When she did, he threw the truck in park and jumped out.

“What the fuck is wrong with her.”

“Help me get her in the truck.” Lily struggled to push the wheelchair Rachel was sitting in, looking deathly pale.

Shade took the handles of the wheelchair, pushing it toward the truck, then lifted her inside. Lily climbed inside the driver’s side, scooting over toward Rachel.

Shade took the wheelchair back inside the lobby, angrily coming back to the truck and climbing in.

He pulled out, driving to Cash’s grandmother Mag’s house, where Rachel was staying.

“What’s wrong with her?” Shade snapped out.

“She saved Cash,” Lily spoke breathlessly. “I still don’t believe it. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes … Her blood pressure dropped too low.”

Lily went on to explain Cash was awake, and his vital signs were better. Her jumbled words were filled with excitement, relief, and worry over Rachel.

Shade packed her inside Mag’s house with the old woman staring at him from her wheelchair as he carried Rachel to the room she was staying in.

Lily took off Rachel’s shoes. “I’m going to stay with her for a while. I’ll call when I need you to pick me up.”

“All right. I’ll go back to the hospital and stay with Cash until you call.” Shade kissed Lily briefly.

Rachel caught his hand as he was about to leave. “I want your promise not to tell him I was there.”

“Why?” he asked curiously.

“Because,” she said stubbornly, unwilling to explain.

“I’m not going to make a promise I can’t keep.” Shade raised his hand when she would have interrupted. “I won’t say anything unless he asks, but that’s the best I can do.”

Rachel reluctantly nodded as she began shaking so hard Lily had to cover her with a blanket.

Shade left the two women alone, going through the house and outside to the porch where Mag was sitting in her wheelchair.

“I want to go see Cash.”

Shade stared silently at the old woman then went down to the truck and opened the passenger door before walking back up to the porch. Leaning down, he lifted her, carrying her to the truck then gently placing her into the seat. Reaching up, he buckled her in.

“I could have done that,” she snapped.

He didn’t respond, closing the truck door before going back to get her wheelchair. Shade expertly folded it before placing it in the back of the truck.

Once behind the steering wheel, he drove out of her driveway and then turned toward town.

“You don’t talk much, do you?”

“Not when I don’t have anything to say,” Shade replied.

“Had to do some talking to catch that pretty wife of yours.” Mag snorted. “She must like the strong, silent, asshole type.”

“You talk to Cash this way?”

“Hell no, Cash is my grandson. I don’t have to pretend to be nice to him.” She laughed, hitting him on the arm.

Shade’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. Maybe Cash would have been better off in the coma.

* * *

Fat Louise was sitting on a bale of hay as she watched her friends lead Sex Piston’s kids through the field to pick out pumpkins. She didn’t look much happier since the last time he had seen her on the helicopter, and back then, she had been crying on Killyama’s shoulder.

Shade knew something had happened since she had returned, but Lily refused to tell him. Truthfully, he hadn’t been interested enough to badger her for the information. He would remedy that when they went back home, though.

The smile on Fat Louise’s face disappeared as Lily came into view. She was holding Chance, one of Beth’s twins, looking beautiful. She was just beginning to show her pregnancy, and she glowed with health and happiness.

T.A. came up to her, snagging the child away and Lily laughed, brushing her windswept black hair away from her face. Then Shade watched her go inside the store attached to the pumpkin patch.

His attention returned to Fat Louise who was digging her boot in the dirt, casting furtive looks at Cade sitting on his motorcycle. Shade had been surprised when they had parked and he had seen Cade ride in on his bike with her at his back.

The man was watching Fat Louise the way he had just been watching Lily. The only difference was the sadness in his eyes. Fat Louise might be doing him, but she wasn’t a sure thing. That kind of longing look only came from being tortured about whether feelings were returned. Shade remembered when he had suffered from the same problem. Thank fuck those days are over.

Lily came out of the store, carrying two cups. Smiling, she headed toward Fat Louise, who scooted over on the hay bale to make room.

Shade was leaning against a tree not too far way, so their voices easily carried over to him.

“You looked like you were cold. I thought this would warm us up.”

When Lily handed Fat Louise one of the cups she was holding, she took a sip. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. The kids are all growing so fast,” Lily said sadly.

“Thank goodness. I’m on everyone’s speed dial for babysitting. How is Cash recovering from his accident?”

“He’s been moved to a rehabilitation center. He’s doing better. Shade says he’s getting stronger every day.”

“It won’t be long before he gets out and makes up for lost time with the women in Treepoint,” Fat Louise wisecracked.

Lily laughed, tilting her head toward Cade. “Your boyfriend seems nice.”

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

“Does he know that?” Lily teased. “He reminds me of Shade. He never lets me out of his sight, either.”

Shade let a smile touch his lips at Lily’s words.

“He’s nothing like Shade. Shade loves you. Everyone knew how he felt about you before you did. Cade doesn’t care about me. He just feels guilty and trapped.” Fat Louise’s voice was filled with hurt.

Lily went quiet, her eyes gazing back at her in compassion, before she said, “I didn’t see it, and maybe you don’t, either. Sex Piston told me about your loss. I’m really sorry.”

Fat Louise turned away from Lily. When she did, she was facing him, and he could see the tears in her eyes.

“I didn’t mean to bring up something so painful,” Lily apologized.

“It’s all right.”

“No, it’s not. You looked so sad sitting here, and I wanted to cheer you up, not make it worse.” Lily started to get to her feet.

“Don’t go. It really wasn’t anything you said. It’s me.” Fat Louise licked her lips. “I was sitting here, watching you, and I’m so jealous I can’t stand it. I see you looking absolutely beautiful and healthy, pregnant with your baby while I lost mine.” Tears slid down her cheeks.