Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen

A s they drove to the care center, Delaney’s mind skipped back to the previous night. Spending time with Corbin had been so glorious that her feet had hardly touched the ground since. It was crazy that she was feeling so joyous in the face of impending danger with Hugh. Biscuits were temperamental, especially at higher elevations, but they turned out perfect, as did the sausage and gravy. Corbin ate so much she was afraid he’d make himself sick.

Afterwards, they cuddled in front of a fire, sharing long, drugging kisses until late in the evening. Delaney was eager to find out everything she could about Corbin. She asked him questions about what it was like to grow up in Birchwood Springs. As he shared memories of growing up in a comfortable, stable home, she couldn’t help but compare his upbringing with her chaotic past. She’d shared a few experiences with him … how there was never much food in the trailer … how the truancy officer was always on their case due to the large amount of school Delaney missed … how there’d always been random men coming and going until Hugh entered the picture. She let out a bitter laugh. “To think, I was actually excited when Hugh Allen and my mom started seeing each other because we no longer had to worry about scraping rent money together. Hugh threw money around like it was paper, and I could buy whatever I wanted to eat.” Corbin’s expression had gone solemn as he pulled her into his arms and held her close. Just as she drifted off to sleep, she heard him say that he loved her.

She glanced at his rugged profile, his hands on the steering wheel. Corbin had been unusually quiet since they left the cabin. “Are you okay?”

For a second, he looked surprised that she’d spoken. Then an automatic smile crossed his lips. “Yeah.”

But he wasn’t okay. Fear clutched her. Was he having second thoughts about them? Maybe he regretted telling her that he loved her. She took in a breath, willing herself to calm down. She couldn’t keep assuming the worst every second. Corbin was probably just nervous about visiting his grandmother.

He pulled into an empty parking space, taking in a deep breath. “Thanks for coming with me.” A slight smile touched his lips. She reached for his hand, which was cold. “Do you wanna talk about it?” she asked, searching his face.

His lips pulled into a taut line. “No. I just wanna get this over with.”

“When’s the last time you came here?”

“Never.”

Her eyes widened. Never? No wonder he was so keyed up. And no wonder Addie made such a big deal about him coming.

He got out of the SUV and came around to open her door. As he helped her out, she realized he was shaking. “It’ll be all right,” she said, putting a hand on his arm.

He nodded, forcing a smile. “Let’s do this.”

A middle-aged woman with a cap of shiny red hair and lipstick to match was sitting behind the reception desk. She smiled brightly in recognition as they walked through the door. “Corbin Spencer,” she boomed. “This is a nice surprise. It’s great to see you.”

“Good to see you too, Tina,” he said mechanically. She came around the desk and gave him a hug, then looked him up and down with open appreciation. “You look great, as usual. Addie and your grandpa come in all the time, but I never see you,” Tina continued. “I’m glad you were able to make it by.” She turned to Delaney. “I’m Tina Johnson.”

“Dee.” Delaney clasped Tina’s hand in a firm shake.

“Nice to meet you.” Tina smiled broadly, winking at Corbin. “Is she your girlfriend?”

“Yes,” he said matter-of-factly.

“She’s a beauty. I would’ve expected nothing less from you.” She motioned to the empty waiting room as she went back to her desk and picked up the handset of her phone. “Have a seat, and I’ll let the nurses know you’re here.”

“Addie’s meeting us,” Corbin said.

Tina nodded. “Sounds good.” No sooner had she spoken the words than Addie came through the double glass doors.

“Hey, Tina,” she said, flashing a smile. Then she saw Delaney and Corbin in the waiting room. She went to them, giving each a hug. Her eyes stopped at Corbin. “You okay?”

Delaney looked at him, realizing he’d gone pale.

He nodded, his teeth clenched so tight a marble had formed in the corner of his jaw.

“It’ll be all right,” Delaney said giving him a reassuring smile as she touched his arm. He seemed to relax a fraction at her touch.

A nurse in her early twenties opened the side door. “Hi, I’m Judy. Come on back,” she said with a brisk smile. “You came at a good time,” she said, looking back at them over her shoulder as they followed her down the hall. “Miss Lou Ella’s awake.”

When they reached the room, Addie walked right in, but Corbin paused at the threshold. Delaney could feel the inner turmoil churning inside him, almost as though it were her own. She saw the flash of panic in his eyes. “You can do this.” She willed him to look at her. “I’ll be right beside you.”

He took in a deep breath, nodding.

“Look who came to see you,” Addie said in a high-pitched voice a volume too loud.

Delaney stepped into the room practically pulling Corbin with her. Her heart sank when she saw the frail woman lying in the bed. Lou Ella was a waif, probably not weighing a hundred pounds. Her silver hair was short, but so thin on top that only a few wisps covered her scalp. She turned to look at them, a blank expression on her face.

“It’s me and Corbin, Gram,” Addie said kindly.

Lou Ella clutched her nightgown. Her splotched, leathery skin was so paper-thin that the veins under her hand looked like a blue rake. Delaney looked at Corbin who had tears running down his cheeks. Tentatively, he moved to her bedside.

“Gram,” he uttered.

Tears bubbled from Addie’s eyes as she smiled. “I think she’s happy to see you. You should talk to her.”

Delaney stayed close to Corbin’s side.

“This is my girlfriend, Delaney,” Corbin said.

Delaney caught the look of surprise on Addie’s face, realized Corbin had called her Delaney again, instead of Dee. But it was better to let that slide right now.

“Hi, Lou Ella,” Delaney said softly. “Wallace told me what a remarkable woman you are.” Her voice hitched. “I know he was right because I can see how much your grandchildren love you.”

Lou Ella’s lower lip started working as she wound a hand around her nightgown. She seemed to be concentrating, like she was trying to remember something. “Applesauce,” she croaked.

“Do you want applesauce?” Addie asked, looking at Judy who was standing in the corner, as if to give them plenty of space and yet still be close enough to offer assistance if needed.

Judy stepped up. “Miss Lou Ella had applesauce this morning for breakfast, didn’t you?” She went to the bed and adjusted the pillows behind Lou Ella’s back. “Let’s help you sit up, so you can visit.”

“No,” Lou Ella cried out in annoyance, pushing Judy.

Delaney flinched, the outburst taking her by surprise. She looked at Corbin, could tell he was trying to hold it together. She rubbed her hand up and down his arm, hoping it would help soothe him.

“Now, Lou Ella,” Judy began in a cheerful tone. “Don’t hit.” She looked around the room, meeting everyone’s eyes. “She gets excited when she has visitors. Just give her a second to adjust.” She stepped back against the wall.

“I’m sorry.” Corbin’s voice grew strangled as he gulped and tried again. “I’m sorry I haven’t been here for you.” He looked at Addie. “I’m sorry I left you holding the bag.” Long pause. His shoulders shook. “I just couldn’t stand to see her like this.”

“I know,” Addie said, tears falling freely down her cheeks. She smiled slightly. “We all just get through it the best we can.” She turned to Lou Ella. “Gram, Corbin came to see you.”

Corbin stepped forward and ever so gently placed a hand over Lou Ella’s. For a second, it looked like she might yank her hand away. But instead she peered intently into Corbin’s face like she was searching for something. For an instant, the cloudiness in her eyes parted. Her mouth formed the word, a whisper of sound issuing out. “Cor?—”

“She knows,” Addie said, putting a hand over her heart. She laughed and cried at the same time. “She knows you’re here.”

In the next second, Lou Ella’s expression changed, going to anger, then fear as she jerked her hand from underneath Corbin’s. “Go away!” she yelled, pushing his arm with surprising strength.

Judy stepped up. “Now, Miss Lou Ella. Be nice,” she said in a soothing voice, like she was speaking to a child. She offered Corbin an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, but the heavy drugs make her irritable.”

Corbin frowned. “Heavy drugs?”

“For the pain,” Judy explained. “The doctors keep Miss Lou Ella sedated most of the time.”

Fury flashed in Corbin’s eyes as he glared at Judy. “So they won’t have to deal with her outbursts?”

She gave him a funny look. “No, because of the brain cancer.”

The only sound in the room was the ragged intake of Corbin’s breath. His knees buckled as he caught hold of the metal footboard on the bed for support. He looked at Addie through crazed eyes. “Gram has brain cancer?”

“Pops and I didn’t know how to tell you,” she stammered. “That’s why we wanted you to come here … to find a way to tell her goodbye.” She looked to Delaney for help, but Delaney could only shake her head.

Corbin’s face turned a shade darker, his eyes blazing. Delaney shrank back, afraid he might punch something.

Instead he straightened his shoulders and balled his fists. “Let’s go!” he roared, turning on his heel and storming out. Delaney looked at Addie who spread her hands in defeat, then rushed to catch up with him.