Page 23 of Searching for Bristol
“’Kay. Rocky?”
“Yeah, baby?” he asked, the endearment just slipping out.
“If it’s still okay, I wanna stay with you. You know…until I can walk.”
Rocky closed his eyes. The relief he felt was almost overwhelming. “You got it, Punky. Sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.”
She nodded and closed her eyes. He sat next to her, holding her hand until it went slack in his own. He didn’t move until the nurse came in an hour later to check her IV and the level of her painkillers, and to make sure her vitals were good.
Rocky moved to the cot and lay down. He had an overnight bag in his trunk, but didn’t want to leave to retrieve it. He’d be fine sleeping in his clothes. Lord knew he’d slept in a lot worse places in his lifetime. It took him a while to nod off, but as he did, the last thing he saw was Bristol’s face as she slept in the bed next to him.
* * *
It took Bristol a moment to remember where she was and what had happened when she woke up, but when she did, she opened her eyes—and the first thing she saw was Rocky, sleeping on a cot next to her bed, his feet sticking over the end of the mattress. Just knowing he’d stayed with her made butterflies kick up in her belly.
She didn’t remember anything after being wheeled away for surgery the night before. Looking down, she saw her broken leg was slightly elevated under the sheet. She wasn’t in any pain and figured that was because of the drugs flowing through the IV connected to her arm.
She felt surprisingly good for everything she’d been through. She wasn’t a big fan of hospitals—who was?— but having Rocky by her side went a long way toward keeping her calm.
She watched him sleep for a while. Light was coming in the window, letting her know it had to be morning. His mouth was open slightly and he had one arm over his head while the other rested on his belly. He was still wearing the same clothes he’d changed into before he’d driven her to Roanoke.
Bristol still couldn’t believe he’d done that. He’d definitely gone over and above what most people would’ve done for a complete stranger. But they’d bonded in the woods. She couldn’t andwouldn’tdeny that. Something had sparked between them as he’d held her gently against his chest and made the six-mile trek back to his car. There was a lot she still didn’t know about the man sleeping next to her, but what shedidknow, she liked. More than was probably smart.
A loud clang sounded from outside her room, making Bristol jump. It sounded like someone dropped a bed pan or something. The movement jostled her leg, and a small moan escaped her lips. It didn’t really hurt so much as it surprised her, making her aware that she’d just had surgery on that leg the evening before.
By the time she turned her attention back to Rocky, he was sitting on the side of his cot looking adorably mussed. His hair was sticking up and, surprisingly, even his beard looked as if it could use a good brushing.
As she watched, he ran a hand down his face, as if he was doing his best to wake up, then his brown eyes lifted and met her gaze. “Morning,” he said gruffly in a low, rumbly tone.
“Hi,” she replied, feeling somewhat shy for some reason. Maybe it was because she was wearing nothing but a hospital gown. Maybe it was because they’d kind of slept together, even if she’d been completely out of it and in a different bed. Or maybe it was because the more time she spent around this man, the more attracted to him she became.
“How do you feel?” he asked as he stood.
Bristol’s chin lifted so she could keep him in her sights. He really was tall, especially compared to her. He turned to the cot he’d slept on and began making the bed as she answered him. “I’m okay.”
Rocky chuckled and turned back to her. “You’d say that even if your leg was hanging on by a tendon, wouldn’t you?” he asked.
Bristol shrugged. “It seems silly to complain about anything, considering what the alternative could’ve been.”
“Right, I get that, but at the same time, there’s no need for you to be in pain or uncomfortable. If you’re hurting, I’ll get a nurse in here to give you something, or up the drugs being delivered through your IV.”
He was very thoughtful. “Honestly, I’m all right. I don’t particularly like the way I feel when I’m completely doped up. My leg throbs a bit, but nothing I can’t handle. I’m okay. Promise.”
Rocky nodded. “All right. Let me know if that changes.” He wandered over to the chair and pulled it closer before sitting. He reached for her hand, and the contentment that swept over her when he brushed his thumb over the back of it was heady…and confusing.
“I talked to the nurse last night, and she said the doctor thinks you should be ready to be discharged tomorrow or the day after…depending on how you feel, of course. He’s gonna talk to Doc Snow about getting the stitches out shortly after, and changing your cast. I’m gonna call Ethan, my brother, in a bit, maybe when the nurse comes in to get you ready for the day. He and Lilly will drive up here and bring you some clean clothes and some toiletries. I’ll get Zeke to go by my apartment and see what he can do to set up the guest room for you, so you can get around more easily once you’re able to be up on crutches. Anything you like to eat? I’m sure Drew or one of the other guys would be happy to go to the store to stock up for us.”
Bristol stared at him in confusion. “Um…your guest room?” she asked quietly.
Rocky froze. There was no other word for it. He had been fairly relaxed a second ago, but now he was stiff as he stared at her. “What do you remember from last night?” he asked.
“Nothing. I mean, I remember everything up until the surgery. Seeing the doctor and being wheeled away. But I don’t recall going into the operating room or anything afterward until waking up this morning.”
Rocky sighed.
“Why? Did something happen?” she asked, suddenly nervous.
“No, nothing happened,” he said soothingly. He squeezed her hand, then stood suddenly and headed for the small bathroom in the corner.
