Wounded Love (A Rocky Harbor Novel Book 3) Read online

  “I’d like to talk to you about Colton.”

  Of course she did. While the girls at her private school in Pennsylvania had been nosey to fuel their gossip, Rachael’s nosiness came from the heart. She loved her brother and her family and didn’t seem to mind if asking probing questions made Ellie uncomfortable.

  “I don’t really have anything to say. I haven’t seen him in almost a week.”

  Most likely he told his family about her supposed betrayal. Or maybe he didn’t. Rachael had yet to confront her about CJ’s parentage. It could be possible that the stubborn ass hadn’t told his family about his son.

  That made her even more angry. CJ would not be seen as an embarrassment or a mistake. He was conceived from love and was the most perfect son a mom could ask for. If only he didn’t have to endure so many medical issues.

  Although, what if what he had was hereditary? Had the doctors ever hinted that CJ’s medical issues could be genetic, she would have had her brother and parents tested in a heartbeat. And would have tracked down Colton. Her pride wasn’t more important than her son.

  “I guess I’m an aunt then?”

  That answered that. “What did Colton say?”

  “Not much.” Rachael took another éclair off the plate and handed it to Ellie. “Just that he’s a dad. Mom assumed he’d had a baby recently. He corrected her. Said he was nine.”

  Ellie couldn’t make eye contact with Rachael. She licked the creamy filling off her fingers and distracted her mouth with another gulp of coffee.

  “I kinda figured CJ was Colton’s a while back and hoped things would fall into place for you two. Well, you three.”

  “I don’t see that happening.”

  “He’ll come around. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but he’s a tad stubborn.” Ellie didn’t hide her grin and neither did Rachael. “And while I’m not happy about his behavior, I’m saddened that we didn’t learn about this news earlier.”

  So she wasn’t going to let Ellie get off scot-free. “It’s complicated.”

  “I can only imagine. Which is why you two need to talk it out.”

  “I know. Maybe this weekend.”

  “Why keep putting it off? It’s only going to get harder.”

  “I can’t tomorrow. I’ve got…” Ellie didn’t mean to tear up. Rachael already wasn’t happy with her for keeping her nephew a secret. Dumping on her about CJ’s medical issues was not part of her plan.

  “Hey, I didn’t mean to make you cry.” Rachael tore a paper towel from the roll and handed it to Ellie. “There’s more to this story, isn’t there?”

  Ellie nodded. “That’s not why I’m crying. This isn’t about Colton, it’s about CJ.”

  “I’d say anything about CJ is about Colton. He’s his father, after all.” Rachael tore off another towel when Ellie blew her nose into the wadded white shredded mess.

  “No, this has nothing to do with him. I have a meeting with CJ’s specialist tomorrow. I have a feeling…the nurse didn’t make it sound good. She told me…” Ellie swallowed the lump in her throat and sucked in her lips in an attempt to regain her composure.

  “She told you what?” Rachael asked soothingly, rubbing her back in support.

  “She told me not to bring CJ. I can only imagine why. They have horrible news and don’t want me to break down like a basket case in front of him.” Her shoulders shook as she could no longer hold back the waves of worry and sorrow she’d suppressed all morning.

  “Oh, sweetie.” Rachael gathered her into her arms and hugged her, rocking their bodies rhythmically like Ellie did with CJ when he was sick, until the shakes had left Ellie’s body.

  “You shouldn’t go alone. You need someone there for support.”

  “I don’t have anyone. My parents and I have just started talking again and Max is…Max is young and single. And a guy. He isn’t good in situations like this.”

  “Can I come with you?” Rachael handed Ellie yet another paper towel, taking the crumpled one from her hands and tossing it in the trash.

  “Really? You’d do that?”

  “Of course. You’re my friend. And CJ is my nephew. It’s a no-brainer.”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Say yes.”

  ***

  The following morning Ellie put on a wonderful performance for CJ. She toasted his favorite waffles, put cute little notes in his lunch box, and even packed him extra cookies. Somehow she managed to get him on the bus without shedding a tear.

  Taking a shower was the last thing on her mind, but she did her morning routine regardless, forgoing the shaving since no one would be seeing her legs anyway. At nine fifteen she heard the front door open and gathered her phone and keys and purse.

  Ellie had her head down as she made her way down the hallway, rifling through her purse to make sure she had everything. “Can I bug you for a cup of coffee before we—” A familiar wall of muscle stopped her in her tracks. “Colton?”

  He scrutinized her, not saying a word, not moving a muscle. And lordy did he have big muscles. She spent enough time fantasizing about them while he worked for her and then last week she had the privilege of seeing them up close. Touching. Kissing. Holding. Those powerful arms could make anyone feel safe and protected.

  Except he’d abandoned her. A long time ago when she was pregnant and again when he’d discovered he had a son. “You’re in my way and I’m in a hurry.”

  Still, he didn’t budge. His breathing was slow and steady, unlike her heartbeat. His nearness shouldn’t cause so much anxiety within. Especially when she had enough on her plate already. “I need to leave.”

  “Where?”

  “It’s none of your business. Now move.” Not waiting for him to step aside, she drove her shoulder into his bicep and pushed her way past him into the safety of the kitchen. Rachael was right, she could make a decent cup of coffee if she really wanted to. Today she just wanted to get away from Colton. She dumped some grounds into a liner, poured water into the base, and tapped her fingers restlessly on the counter as she stared down the machine, willing it to hurry up.

  Colton had moved into the kitchen, his presence too big, too much to hide from and she shivered in anticipation of…of what, she hadn’t a clue. When the coffee finished dripping she found a travel mug in the cabinet and filled it. Her favorite creamer was in the fridge, which Colton stood too close to.

  She hated black coffee. But was it worth it? Cursing under her breath, she kept her eyes averted from his and stomped to the fridge, yanking out the Kahlua creamer. She kept the door open while she poured the creamer into her coffee, replaced the cap, and returned it to the shelf.

  Still, Colton didn’t move. Ellie glanced at the clock on the microwave. Rachael should be coming through the door any minute to save her from her misery. Making herself look busy, she stormed past him and down the hall to her desk in the entryway. She flipped open her laptop and scrolled through next month’s reservations. Anything to distract her from Colton.

  “What are you doing?” He finally spoke.

  “Working.”

  “I thought you needed a ride.”

  “I never said that.” Ellie minimized one screen and opened another, not reading a single word on her laptop.

  “Rachael said—”

  Ellie’s head snapped up, and she must have had a wretched look on her face to make Colton jump back as far as he did. “Rachael said what?”

  “That you needed a ride.”

  “That traitor.” Oh, she’d never trust her so-called friend again.

  “What’s going on?”

  Dear god. For the past ten minutes she hadn’t thought once about the dreadful news Dr. Duffy was sure to drop on her. Instead she’d been too caught up in her own drama.

  “Nothing. I need to leave.” She took her keys out of her purse and only then noticed her shaking hands.

  “You’re not driving.” Colton snatched the keys out of her hand.

  “Well, you
’re not coming.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “We’re not going anywhere.” She tried to grab her keys back but Colton held them over her head. “Really? You’re going to play tough guy on me? I’m in no mood to take your bullying. Give me my keys. I can’t be late for this appointment.”

  “What appointment?”

  “None of your business.”

  Colton’s face turned cold and stony. “You’ve made a lot of appointments that you didn’t think were my business. But were.”

  Did he really want to be part of his son’s life? Ellie glanced at the grandfather clock behind her. Nine twenty-nine. She needed to leave now. Maybe coming to this appointment would show him the world didn’t revolve around him.

  “Fine.” He was right about her keeping appointments from him. However, she would have loved to involve him from the start, had he not taken off and left her pregnant and alone.

  Colton followed her out the door and to her car. She slid behind the wheel and buckled up, waiting for him to hand her the keys. “Don’t pull that chauvinist crap about having to drive because you’re a man.”

  Without saying a word he dropped the keys in her palm. She turned off the music, not wanting the distraction and needing the time to compose herself before reaching Dr. Duffy’s. When she finally parked her car at the medical building, Colton spoke.

  “Are you pregnant?”

  “What? Of course not!” Ellie whipped off her seat belt and flew out of the car. Colton didn’t move as quickly, having a hard time lifting himself from the small vehicle. She wouldn’t feel bad for him. “Why would you even think that?”

  “We weren’t very careful.”

  “It’s only been a week.” She marched ahead of him into the medical building, not caring if he followed.

  He did.

  “So there’s still a possibility.”

  “No. Never.”

  “So you’d have an abortion?”

  Ellie had been rushing through the maze of hallways and she nearly passed the door to Dr. Duffy’s office. “Why would you ever say that?”

  Colton clenched his jaw and glared at her, his expression a cross between angered and confused. The man sure did know how to keep her mind off her troubles with CJ. Shaking her head, she opened the door to the office and checked in with the receptionist.

  They didn’t have to wait long before they were called in to a large office. The nurse had them sit on a love seat and told them the doctor would join them in a few minutes.

  “What’s a nephrologist?” Colton’s head barely moved as his eyes scanned the degrees on the wall, the personal pictures behind the large desk, and the door the nurse had just left through.

  “He specializes in kidneys.”

  “What’s wrong with your kidneys?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Sorry to keep you waiting, Ms. Fairfield.” Dr. Duffy extended his hand and Ellie shook it. He’d been kind to her and CJ; his bedside manner was what everyone raved about and with his lightly gray hair and kind blue eyes, she instantly felt at ease in his presence. “I’m Dr. Duffy, CJ’s nephrologist,” he said to Colton.

  Colton shifted in his seat and stood to shake the doctor’s hand. Ellie couldn’t help to notice how he favored his left side. Even though they’d made love, she had yet to see his leg and the prosthetic. He did a wonderful job getting around and it was hard to detect that he didn’t have two perfect limbs unless you paid close attention, which she did.

  “Colton Riley.”

  The doctor offered him a smile and sat across from Ellie. “I’m glad that you have a friend with you today.”

  “Is it that bad?”

  “Honestly?” He took a pen out of his pocket and flipped open the manila folder in his lap. “It definitely could be worse. CJ is young and has one fully functioning kidney. However, he has chronic renal failure.”

  “What does that mean?” Ellie barely noticed Colton’s body move closer, his hand enveloping hers.

  “In layman terms, it means CJ’s kidney has stopped functioning properly. The urinary tract infections, fatigue, pale skin, lack of growth this past year are all indicators of the disease. However, I’m not quick to blame anyone for not diagnosing it earlier. It’s tricky to detect without the blood work, X-rays, and other tests we’ve run.”

  “So what does this mean for my son?” She didn’t mean to sound so whiny, so small and pathetic, but CJ didn’t deserve any of this. He had a disease? Only one functioning kidney? Colton’s arm drew her towards him and she used his shoulder to wipe her tears.

  “We’ll start him on an IV to replace the depleted blood volume and either start diuretic therapy or medications to increase his urine output. We’ll monitor him closely for a while to see how he takes to the initial treatments.”

  “Initial? So there’s more?”

  Dr. Duffy closed the folder and set it on the table, leaning closer and looking Colton, then Ellie in the eye. “I’ve been treating renal failure for many years. In most cases if caught early the medications and a special diet are all the patient needs. However,” the doctor had used a lot of howevers today and she didn’t think she could take another one. “However, CJ’s symptoms have been going on for quite some time. According to our records, nearly a year.”

  “Is he…is…he going to…die?” She doubled over in pain; her stomach pulled in so tight she thought her organs would collapse. Just as CJ’s had.

  If she didn’t have the weight of Colton’s arm around her back, pulling her into his side, she’d fall over, her body too weak to hold itself up.

  “We’re going to give him the best care possible to make sure that doesn’t happen. If this first round doesn’t work we may have to be more aggressive.”

  “What does that mean?” She didn’t want to know. It already sounded too much for a poor nine-year-old to handle. Ellie’s body shook as she squeezed Colton’s hand.

  “We may have to do dialysis or possibly replace his kidney. We can put him on a waiting list now to look for possible donors.”

  “I’ll do it.” Colton’s deep voice reverberated through her body. Ellie tilted her head toward his. Colton’s long lashes shielded his eyes but they were locked on the doctor. “He’s my son. I’ll give him my kidney.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Colton

  Colton read between the lines. That’s what he was trained to do in the military. Listen to foreign correspondence, interpret their language, break their codes, and go in for the kill. Only an asshole of a doctor would give a mother a worst case scenario instead of alluding and sounding optimistic. Colton could read it in the doctor’s eyes. The situation was serious.

  CJ needed a new kidney. Stat.

  With Colton’s O-negative blood type he’d already had one leg up as a match. If his son’s life wasn’t on the line and the woman he’d always loved an emotional wreck, he would have laughed at the pun. At the irony. Yeah. One leg up and one leg lost. What’s a kidney compared to a leg?

  Nothing to Colton. Everything to CJ.

  Throw in the paternal connection and he had to have at least a fifty-fifty shot of being a match.

  “That’s an honorable move. If it’s okay with you, Ms. Fairfield, I’ll set up some tests for Mr. Riley to see if he’s a match. I’d like you to bring CJ in to Maine Medical Center tonight so we can start his treatment.”

  Ellie’s tiny frame collapsed against him. Pulling her tighter into his one-armed embrace, he took over where she remained stunned and speechless.

  “We’ll have him there. I’m assuming he’ll be there for a few days. Is there anything in particular we should pack, or not pack?”

  The doctor nodded and picked up the folder again, scribbling notes. Probably about the man who’d just popped out of the woodwork claiming to be CJ’s dad. Colton resented the scrutiny, even if Duffy hid it well.

  “CJ will be on a very restrictive, bland diet, so no special snacks or treats of any kind. We’ll need easy a
ccess so he’ll have to wear one of our hospital gowns. He can wear his own socks or slippers if he has a favorite pair.”

  Colton hadn’t a clue what the kid liked. When he was nine he didn’t have Legos or a bike or even a ball to play with. He’d made up a game tossing his mother’s beer bottle caps into a cup from across the room. Other than that, his imagination was all he had.

  “The hospital will provide everything he needs.”

  Unlike Colton, who’d provided his son with nothing. “Can he eat before we bring him in?” His last supper. Had Colton known his buddies would be blown to smithereens and he’d be legless for the rest of his life, they’d have indulged in the candy stash they kept in their pockets to make sure their blood sugar never got too low and their mouths never got too dry.

  “I’m assuming he’ll have some food in his system anyway from lunch, so why don’t you let him snack like he’d normally do, but nothing too heavy. I don’t want him to get sick from the medication.”

  Another reminder that Colton had no idea what normal meant in his son’s life. Did he have a sweet tooth like his mother and gulp down cookies or Rachael’s treats, or did he gravitate more toward the salty snacks like chips and popcorn like his father?

  Ellie’s body continued to shake. The slight convulsions seemed to come from her holding in her tears. The doctor handed him a few brochures and continued to talk about the initial treatments CJ would have to endure. He eyed Ellie occasionally but it was evident from her sluggish, trembling body and lowered head she couldn’t hear anything that was being said.

  The news would take a while to set in. When he’d woken up in the hospital disorientated and doped up on morphine, he’d yelled and demanded a doctor come in and get him out of the contraption they’d mummified him in. The nurses upped his sedative, pissing him off even more. By the time his doctor made his way to Colton’s room, the sedative had begun to wear off and realization set in. As soon as the doctor confirmed Colton’s leg had been severed, he’d shut down and tuned the rest out.