Sweet and Salty (Marshall My Heart #1)

49. Chapter Forty-Nine

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

L aura

“Where the fuck were you?” I hit Rory hard in the deltoid, and he wrinkles his nose in consternation. We stand outside the heavy glass doors leading into the operating room, where my mom and Dr. Sieber had rushed Jesse on a gurney only moments before.

“We were a little busy,” Rory replies, sighing. “We were arresting the entire Mack family before they stormed in and caused even more problems. It’s a good thing Frank had the foresight to lock down the hospital when he did. That man deserves a medal.”

It isn’t enough. They weren’t fast enough. I shift from foot to foot, my gaze fixed on the opaque windows leading to the operating suite.

“If it makes you feel better, you can join the Rory Anti-Fan Group that Bobby started.”

“He didn’t really do that. He just said it to make you mad.” I lift my thumb to my mouth and chew on the nail. I haven’t chewed my nails in years, but I can’t think of anything else to quiet the humming anxiety inside me. “I can’t believe Chris did all this.”

“He’s probably going to try for some sort of insanity plea.” Cracking his neck, Rory groans. “I think Travis Mack sprained my wrist. Seriously, those three were like characters ordered from a goon squad catalog.”

Somehow this information filters through the anxious haze in my brain. “So they’re arrested? Is Jesse free?”

“I mean, it would have been better if one of them had shot him,” Rory says, oblivious to my rising wrath. “They’d have more jail time. But crossing state lines, intent to murder, possession of more firearms than anyone can claim for deer hunting…Especially this time of year.”

“I don’t see how this is relevant.”

Rory shrugs. “Might not be, but whatever we can do to put them all behind bars. We’re searching their hotel room now. If we find anything to connect them to the fire at the cabin, then we also have them on arson.”

“You don’t think that was Chris?”

“That fucker is a piece of work.” Rory yawns and stretches backward. “He started crying when we were loading him into the squad car, and confessed to everything, but said he didn’t start the fire. You know we had to call in additional cars? I’ve never even had to contemplate calling SWAT here. For Cripes’ sake.”

“I could care less.” Behind the window, I swear I hear the sound of feet shuffling. My heart rises somewhere around the back of my soft palate.

Mom steps out from the space between the doors and immediately envelops me in a hug. “Don’t worry, Doc’s working on him right now. We called the Medevac, too. He’s young, he’s strong. He’ll pull through.”

The weight sitting on my shoulders lessens as the tears flow, soaking my mom’s scrub top. She wouldn’t lie to me, or toss around false hope.

“He’s a brave man,” Mom says, kissing the top of my head. “He loves you so much. I’m glad you have each other.”

“We almost lost you.” Saying it aloud unleashes another deeply held, secret fear. All the people who depend on Mom…we were so close to losing her. Davey, Rory, Frannie, Bobby, Dr. Sieber, Daphne, all the people in town who look to her as a surrogate parent. And it’s all my fault. I brought Chris into our lives. I did this. “If we hadn’t–”

Mom tsks. “Don’t think about that. It didn’t happen. I’m here. Right here with you.”

But I can’t shake the feeling that this is my fault. “I’m so sorry.” I hold her closer, drinking in her scent, imagining I smell Ma there, too. Like she’s watching us from up above, stroking my hair, whispering in my ear that everything will be all right. “I’m so sorry, Mom. It’s all my fault. I didn’t think Chris would ever do something like this.”

“Of course you didn’t. This isn’t your fault. You had no idea he would react this way.” Mom’s voice is a soothing susurration in my ear. “You haven’t lost anything, hon. You’re doing everything you need to be doing in this world. You stood up for me and for everyone else in that hallway today. I’m so grateful that nothing worse happened.”

Rory pats my shoulder. “For what it’s worth, Harbor Stryke, the US Marshal? He told me Jesse’s one of the good guys. He literally took a bullet for you. I almost feel comfortable leaving Davey with him. I mean, as long as you’re there, too.”

“Um. Thanks?” I lift my head from Mom’s shoulder and she wipes away the tears from under my eyes. “When will we know if he’s okay?”

“Soon, hon.” Mom joins me at my side and we both stare at the doors to the operating room. “We should know really soon.”