Roping Melanie by Melissa Ellen

29

Melanie

“And I thought I was bad at relationships,” Olivia said after hearing about both my and Nash’s fights at the reception and the following morning in my kitchen.

“And no word from him?”

I shook my head. “Not that I really blame him.”

“Why don’t you call him?”

“And say what exactly? I’m right. You said you had the same concerns.”

“I know but that’s because I’m playing the protective best friend.”

I rolled my eyes as I took a sip of my wine. “If he wanted to talk to me and work it out, he would’ve called already. Maybe it’s for the best. This way Avery doesn’t get hurt.”

“You mean, this way you don’t get hurt more.”

Before I could argue—not that I had much of an argument—my cell phone rang. I picked it up, checking the caller ID and frowned.

“Who is it? Is it him?”

I shook my head. “It’s his sister,” I said and answered the call.

Avery slept in my lap as we waited for answers. But nobody would give us any. The only thing I knew was Nash was in surgery. My worst fears were coming true.

It had been over an hour since we arrived at the hospital in Oklahoma City. As soon as Meg had called and told me Nash had been seriously injured on his final ride last night, I packed our things and borrowed my mother’s car. I drove through the night, only stopping for gas.

Meg was on her way too, having booked the first flight out. She’d texted earlier that she’d landed and I was expecting her any minute. Hopefully, by then the doctors would have some good news for us.

I continued to gently rub Avery’s back in the waiting room, watching the various individuals pass by. Nurses and hospital staff walked by without a care in the world. Some visitors were relieved to be taking their loved one home, while others were like me, trying to keep it together in the wake of a tragedy.

“Ms. Maddison?”

“Yes.” I started to stand, only to stop, not wanting to wake my daughter.

“No need to get up.” The nurse smiled softly. “You’re here for Nash Evans, correct?”

I nodded.

“The doctor said to let you know he’s now out of surgery. He’s in post-op, and you’ll be able to see him soon.”

“Is he going to be okay?”

“The doctor will answer all your questions as soon as he’s able to stop by.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

As soon as she walked away, I caught sight of Meg. She was scanning the waiting room for me. An older woman, who had to be their mother stood with her. I lifted my arm in a small wave to get her attention, not wanting to disturb the others in the room.

She rushed over to me, their mother hot on her heels. I gently slid Avery from my lap, settling her on the chair as I stood.

“How is he?” Meg asked as she pulled me in for a hug.

“He just got out of surgery. They said we could see him soon and then the doctor will tell us more.”

“But he’s okay?”

“I don’t know,” I replied with the shake of my head and a small shrug. “I’m sorry. They won’t tell me anything,” I said, the tears of frustration starting to well in my eyes.

“Oh, sweetheart.” A new set of arms wrapped around me. “Don’t cry. We gotta stay strong for our boy. My Nash is a fighter, I know he’ll be just fine,” Nash’s mom said.

I hugged her back and then broke from her embrace with a nod and a swipe of my tears. “I know. I’m sorry. I’m such a mess. What a great first impression to make. I’m Melanie by the way.”

“Patricia,” she replied with her name. “And don’t even worry about it. Trust me. I know exactly how you feel. It’s hard loving a man that voluntarily risks his life daily. Of all the stupid professions to choose.”

“Now, Mom,” Meg reprimanded. “She doesn’t need you to start ranting and raving about how much you hate bull riding. It’s not helping anyone.”

“I’m just sayin’ . . .” their mother muttered.

“We know.” Meg squeezed her arm and turned to me. “How’s Avery doing?” She glanced past me where Avery slept.

“Okay. I’m not sure she understands it all. She just knows her daddy is hurt.

Meg and her mom both nodded, then we all took a seat around Avery and waited.

Patricia’s eyes dropped to Avery. “She sure is beautiful. Nash is right. She is the spitting image of you, Meg.” Tears formed in her eyes as they gazed at my daughter. “I just want to hold her and squeeze her tight, but wouldn’t dare wake her after the long night she’s had.” She clasped her hands tightly in her lap as if to resist the urge.

“She’s going to be so excited to meet you,” I said.

“Well, at least there’s one good thing that’s come out of this, though I wished we were all meeting under better circumstances.

I gave her a half smile. I couldn’t agree more.

“But he’ll be okay?” I asked for the third time.

“He’s going to be just fine. He’s suffering from a major concussion, a lot of broken bones, including his ribs, but all things that will heal with time,” the doctor assured us all.

“I’m fine, baby,” Nash added. “It’s just a few scratches.”

“Says the man lying in the hospital bed after hours of surgery,” Meg cracked.

“If it didn’t hurt like hell to roll my eyes at you, I would,” Nash said with a painful smirk.

Meg scoffed a laugh. I wasn’t sure how they all could be so nonchalant about this. Even Nash’s mother. She’d left with Avery earlier, volunteering to take her down to the cafeteria to find something to eat. She’d wanted to spend some time getting to know her granddaughter.

“I’m glad to see you haven’t lost your sense of humor,” the doctor chimed in. “It means you’re already on the right track to a full recovery.” He smiled. “Well, unless you have any more questions for me, I have a few more rounds to make.”

“I’m good,” Nash said.

“Okay. We’ll be back to check on you later.”

I stood off to the side with my arms crossed, still unnerved seeing Nash in the hospital bed, bruised and battered. Thunder Buck had done a real number on him after Nash attempted to dismount from his eight second ride. He was lucky to still be alive. The thought only upset me more, especially with the way his family was acting. Was this normal? Should I expect calls like the ones I got all the time? At what point, does his near death become funny to me and just another day?

At the sound of Nash calling my name, I looked over at him. His expression pinched with concern, then he turned to Meg. “Can you give us a minute?”

“Sure. I was about to head to the cafeteria to meet up with Mom and Avery. Do either of you want anything?”

I shook my head.

“I’m good, thanks,” Nash said. As soon as Meg was gone, he held his hand out to me. “Come here, babe . . . please,” he added when I hadn’t made a move.

Reluctantly, I took it and sat on the edge of the hospital bed as he shifted over to make room.

“What’s going on? You okay?”

“I should be asking you that,” I said.

“That’s not an answer.”

“You almost died.”

“But I didn’t.”

This time. I looked away, staring out the single window in the room. After a moment of silence, I told him the scary truth. “I’m not sure I’m strong enough for this.”

“For what?”

“This.” I looked back at him, waving a hand at his battered body lying in the hospital. “I can’t sit here and joke with you and your family about you nearly losing your life. You almost died, Nash. And we had a fight right before you left.”

“It’s not your fault.”

I disagreed. Had I not overreacted and let my emotions get the better of me, we might not have fought and he might not have gotten hurt. Even with all that aside . . . “That’s not the point,” I said, speaking out loud my final thought.

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying I love you, Nash. But I can’t do this. I can’t lose you like this. Avery will always be your daughter, but I can’t live with knowing every time you leave, you may never come home. And I won’t ask you to choose.”

“So you’re what? Making the choice for me? You’re just going to walk away from me, from us?”

“I don’t want to, but I—” A sob caught in my throat while the tears formed in my eyes. I tried to pull away from Nash. He held on tight, not letting me go.

“I already made my choice,” he said. “I decided before I even got on that bull.”

I looked away from him, trying once again to free myself from his grasp and put space between us. I’d made the choice because not only did I not want to be that girl to make him choose, but I was afraid of what he would choose. If he chose me, I’d worry he’d regret it. If he chose the rodeo, I wasn’t sure I’d recover from the heartbreak. It was easier to break my own heart and be the one to walk away.

He gave my hand a squeeze. “I want you, Mel,” he said firmly, leaving no room for doubt. “Twenty-four seven. Seven days a week. I want to be there when you fall asleep at night and when you wake up with drool in the morning. I’m done with the circuit, baby. I’m coming home for good. And now you’re going to have to deal with me and my crap, because I’m not going anywhere. Unless you kick me out again, of course.”

I laughed through a sob and shook my head. “Does this mean you love me?”

“I think I loved you before I knew you.” He released my hand, raising his to brush the backs of his knuckles against my cheek. “Now, come here.”

I leaned down, tentatively kissing his mouth. He deepened the connection, tugging me closer.

“Are you sure this is what you really want? I don’t want you to regret this or resent us.”

“No regrets. Ever. I want you. I want Avery. I want us to be a family. But honestly, I could live without the drool.”

I smacked his arm without thinking.

“Ouch!” he said through a hiss.

“Oh, my gosh! I’m sorry!”

“I’m only kidding.” He winked and grinned.

“I swear to God, Nash Evans, I’m about to finish the job that bull started.”

He laughed, threading his fingers through mine and kissing the back of my hand. “I’m sorry, baby. I couldn’t help myself.”

Five Months Later . . .

A cool breeze whipped the hair around my face. Winter in Texas had arrived. I pulled my jacket tighter to my chest and crossed my arms.

“You okay?” Nash asked, folding his strong, warm arms around me and kissing my neck where we stood in my front yard. “If you’re not ready, we don’t have to do this.”

I sighed and lolled my head back against his chest. “I can’t back out now.” The truck was already loaded and papers signed. “And yeah, it’s time,” I answered his question, giving my house one final look.

I turned into him. Lifting to my toes, I gave him a peck on the lips. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Being here for me. For us. For supporting me and still allowing me to make my own decisions.”

He kissed me in response, long and slow. Then he took my hand, walking me to where my new car and his truck were loaded with boxes.

Avery and I were moving out of our little bungalow and in with Nash. He’d asked me a few months ago if I would consider moving once the construction on his house was completed, but never pressured me to. When I’d been hesitant, he told me the offer would be there indefinitely until I was ready.

Tucker finished with construction a month ago, and after spending so much time there and practically every night, it just made sense. Avery loved it there and not just because that’s where the puppy lived that Nash and I got her for an early Christmas present. She loved the bedroom he had for, exploring the property, playing by the creek, and most of all, she loved spending time with her daddy.

It’s why the decision was an easy one to make. Though I’d been ready to move, I wasn’t ready to let our first home go. I told Nash I’d like to rent it instead. Nash agreed it was a great idea. Keeping the house and leasing it would give me additional passive income. He got behind me one hundred percent, helping me fix it up and prepare it for renters with some nice inexpensive upgrades to the finishes and fixtures.

“I’ll follow you to the house,” Nash said, holding my car door open for me. He gave me another quick kiss after I slid behind the steering wheel. Then he closed my door for me. He still found constant ways to give me gentle touches and kisses. It was one of the things I loved the most about him. Even if he didn’t always say it with words, he showed me every day he loved me with the little things and sometimes even with big things. Like sacrificing his love for bull riding.

Once Nash had healed, he’d been willing to keep his word and quit the circuit all together without finishing out the season like he planned. But I didn’t want it ever to eat at him, knowing he still had a chance to win the World Championship if he kept competing. Though he said he’d never regret it, I didn’t want to take the chance. Bull riding was a major part of his life and what better way to retire than winning another gold buckle?

It’s why I forced him to finish out the season and I said my prayers to the big man upstairs that nothing else happened to Nash. I never watched him ride in that time until the World Championship in Vegas. I surprised him by showing up in the hotel bar where we first met. Much like that very first night, he took me back to his room and had his way with me. This time though, I didn’t sneak out as the sun rose, and he slept. Instead, I stayed and watched his last few rides on bated breath.

Nash took home the gold that weekend. And I took home the hotel key.