“I’m not so sure Pop will feel that way,” Gray said. “But whether I work for him or do something else, I can’t leave Faith.”
“I hear you. It’ll work out.”
Gray hoped so. He still had to face Faith. He was just thankful she was alive and well, and he had the opportunity to make her see how much he loved her.
CHAPTER 39
Faith woke feeling like she had a mouth full of cotton. She blinked, trying to remember where she was, but it was dark. She was really starting to hate the dark. A whimper worked its way out of her throat as she shifted, trying to get her bearings.
“Faith, are you okay?” Connor asked.
“Light,” she rasped out. “Turn it on, please.”
She heard him fumble around in the dark, and then soft light flooded the room. She winced and blinked, covering her eyes with her hand.
The bed dipped, and when she moved her hand, she saw Connor leaning over her, concern etched on his face. “How are you, honey?”
She licked her lips and pondered that question for a while. “I think I’m okay. Connor…is Gray…is he dead?” she asked fearfully.
“Oh God, no, honey. He’s fine. We sent him home because he took a bullet in the shoulder, and he’s been running around like mad. Left the hospital against medical advice and has been generally raising hell.”
She sagged against the bed in relief. “I saw him go down. That man shot him. I thought he was dead.” A tear slid down her cheek, and she closed her eyes to the horrible memory.
Connor laid a hand over her forehead. “Don’t get yourself worked up, Faith. He’s fine. I’m more worried about you.”
So much had happened. Even without the head injury, her head would be spinning.
“What the hell is the light doing on?” Pop demanded from the doorway.
She looked up to see him holding two cups of coffee. He looked tired and haggard. Worry had carved deep lines on his face, and she felt terrible that she had been the cause of it.
It hit her like a ton of bricks. Everything that had happened had been because of her. She closed her eyes, and in that moment wished she could just go to sleep and wake up somewhere else.
Pop’s rough hand curled around hers. She opened tear-filled eyes to see him standing by the bed.
“You scared ten years off me, girl,” he said gruffly. “And I don’t know what’s currently going through that pretty head of yours, but I assure you I won’t like or agree with it.”
“Everything’s such a mess,” she whispered. “I just want to go home.”
“And you will,” Pop said gently as he rubbed her hand. “The doctor said if you’re doing okay that you can go home today. I reckon he’ll be around to see you in a bit.”
“Can I get you anything?” Connor spoke up.
“Water,” she croaked.
He hurried to pour her a cup of water and then held it to her lips so she could sip at it.
“Gray was here to see you last night, but I made him go home,” Pop said. “That boy was hurting pretty bad. He should still be in the hospital.”
Faith closed her eyes. “I don’t want to talk about him right now.”
“Faith, honey…”
“Please,” she whispered.
“Pop, let it alone,” Connor said firmly. “She needs to rest and get better.”
Pop sighed and nodded.
A knock sounded at the door. When no one immediately came in, Pop frowned and walked to the door. He returned a moment later, a peculiar expression on his face.
“Who was it?” she asked.
He cleared his throat. “It’s your mother, Faith. She’s here to see you. She asked if you would mind her coming in for a minute.”
Her heart seized, and dread filled her chest.
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want,” Pop said soothingly.
Tears filled her eyes again then slid down both cheeks. A sob caught in her throat. How bad was it when the mere mention of her mother reduced her to tears?
Connor picked up her hand and squeezed. “Don’t let her upset you, Faith. If you want her to go away, I’ll make it happen. You don’t have to see her if you don’t want.”
“Let her come in,” she said tiredly.
Connor squeezed her hand again. “I’ll be right here, honey.”
Pop walked back to the door and opened it. A few seconds later, Celia Martin walked hesitantly in. She paused several feet from the bed before finally approaching.
For the first time, Faith got a good look at the mother she hadn’t seen in three years. Time hadn’t been good to her. She looked tired, worn, old. Not at all the vibrant young woman Faith remembered from her childhood. She had the regrets of a lifetime reflected in her dull eyes.
Faith waited, not knowing what to say. Thank you? For rescuing her from a situation Celia was responsible for? She swallowed against the rising anger and clenched her jaw until her teeth ached.
Connor stroked his fingers repeatedly over her hands, and she curled her fingers around his, holding on for dear life.
Celia looked up at Pop and Connor first. “I’ll always be grateful to you for all you’ve done for Faith. I failed her. I’m just glad she had you to turn to.”
Faith bit her lip to keep from crying more.
Celia moved closer to Faith and looked as though she too was battling to keep from crying. “I messed up, baby. But then that’s nothing new. I just wanted to come by and tell you how sorry I am. And to thank you for what you said to the police. They aren’t going to press charges against me as long as I testify against Eric.”
“I’m glad,” Faith whispered.
“I hoped…I hoped maybe we could get together sometime. Maybe when you’re better.”
Faith tensed, and again, Connor stroked his thumb over her hand in an effort to calm her.
“I’m s-sorry. I just can’t do this right now,” Faith said. The knot grew so big in her throat that it was hard to breathe around. More tears slipped down her cheeks, and she damned them. “I need you to go away.” It was hard to keep the hurt from her voice. Her utter sense of betrayal. At the moment, she felt let down by everyone she’d ever loved.
She shut her eyes and turned her face into the pillow as the sobs mounted in her throat.
“That’s enough,” Pop said tersely. “She’s had enough.”
“Of course. I’m sorry,” Celia said. “I’ll go now.”