Her Rancher, Her Protector

Chapter 16 - Tyler

I got to the hospital and everything seemed to move in slow motion. I went to the desk to ask for her, they told me she was in surgery and to wait in the waiting room. The next few hours were the longest of my life. I hated not knowing what was going on. I hated to be in limbo. As I waited, I called Gretchen, “Hey, you still working?”

“No, home now.” Than she asked, “Is Angel okay? She seemed shook up when I told her that her friend stop by.”

“That is why I am calling. Gretchen, Angel has been shot. That man was her ex husband. He has been after Angel for sometime. He held Cory at gun point and Angel got him to trade herself for her son. He went to shoot at me and she pushed his hand away. He slapped her and I took the opportunity to fight him away. He was unconscious but woke up. He went to shoot me again and she pushed me out of the way.” I told her as my heart broke.

“Oh, god.” I heard the horror in her voice. “I thought she was acting weird. I should have knew something was wrong.” I heard her voice shake. “Is she okay?”

I licked my lips. “I don’t know yet. She is at the hospital in surgery. I am waiting to hear something from the doctors. Just let everyone in the diner know what is up and that we could use some prayers. That both of them make it out okay.”

“Both of them?” She asked.

“Angel is pregnant. She was shot in the stomach.” I told her sadly.

“Oh, god. This is horrible. I am so sorry. This is all my fault. I told that man where Angel was. I didn’t think anything would happen like this.” Her voice broke.

“This is a small town, no one ever thinks anything could happen like this here.” I told her. “Don’t blame yourself.”

“You will keep me updated, right?” She asked.

“Of course, Gretchen.”

“I will pray for her and your baby. Pray they both pull through.” She said, softly.

I had a small smile on my face as this warmed my heart. “Thanks, Gretchen. I appreciate that. I will call you when I have more news.”

“Okay, Tyler. Take care.”

“You too, Gretchen.” I said, softly, than hung up the call. I sat back in my chair as I waited for anything. Anything at all that would tell me that she and my baby was going to be okay.

After a few hours of waiting, the doctor finally came out. I stood up. “How is she?” I quickly asked.

“Well, the worst is over. We got the bleeding under control but the rest is up to her.” He told me.

I was confused by this. “What do you mean?”

He looked at me with a serious tone. “We did everything we could. We just have to see if she is strong enough to pull through. If she doesn’t awaken in the next twenty four hours, than her chances of survival go down. I’m sorry.”

This hit me hard. I needed her to pull through. I couldn’t lose her. She was the first person in a long time to make me happy again. I didn’t think I would get that again, but she did that and now I might lose her too. I couldn’t bear that. “And the baby? I mean, she was hit in the stomach, did she lose the baby?”

“The bullet missed the baby and her uterus, luckily she is in her early stages of pregnancy so her uterus is still small. So as of right now, the baby is okay.” He told me.

“As of right now?” I asked.

He licked his lips as he seemed sorrow. “I will not lie to you. The baby is way to small, he or she needs their mother right now to survive, so if she doesn’t, than the baby won’t.”

I teared up and looked down. I just nodded as I understood. “Can I see her?” I asked, softly.

“Yeah, come on back.”

I followed him back and walked in sorrow. Not knowing what I would see. But I had to see her. I had to hold her hand and talk to her. Maybe, just maybe, I could talk to her and bring her back to me. It was worth a shot. I would do anything to bring her back to me. I would gladly take her place if I could. We finally got to the room and the doctor opened the door. I walked in, slowly. I heard the machines and saw her face. She looked to be asleep. She looked so peaceful. The doctor closed the door and left me alone with her. I walked over to a chair and moved it beside her bed. I quickly sat in it as I took her hand. I just looked at her. I kissed her hand gently. Once I moved it from my lips, I teared up. “Baby, don’t leave me. Don’t leave me or Cory. We need you. Cory needs his mama and I need you. I need my woman forever by my side. I never thought I would be able to love again after Maggie left me, but I have.” Tears started to spill. “I can’t lose you too. I can’t lose someone else I love. I don’t think I could move past it this time. I don’t think I could be without you. Without you or our child. So, please, please, pull through. Come back to me. For all of us, so we can be a family. Please.”

I just watched her as the tears kept flowing as I moved her hand to my cheek and held it close. I feared I would lose her and I didn’t know what I would do if I did. More so, what would Cory do without his mother. We both needed her.

After a phone call to my mother and Gretchen to update them on how she was, I settled into the chair for the night. I was so exhausted. The day had been trying. I decided I needed her next to me. So I put down arm bar and laid my head next to her as I held her hand. Slowly, my eyes drifted closed. Sleep took me as everything weighed on me. I could only hope that tomorrow will be a better day.