Page 127 of Hollywood

“It’s okay,” Carrie said. “I’m mostly healed from the surgery now.”

Ruby slammed into her legs and tried to climb up. Agrimace crossed Carrie’s face. Well, she might be healed, but she wasn’t fully recovered.

I grabbed Ruby and lifted her onto Carrie’s lap, settling her gently. “Remember. Soft hands with mommy.”

“Soft,” Ruby repeated. “I member.”

Carrie kissed Ruby’s forehead and gave her a squeeze. “Missed you, baby.”

“Miss you too.”

Carrie glanced up at me. “I guess I’m not as healed as I want to be. It’s easy to forget how demanding a two-year-old is. Sometimes I wonder if I’ll even remember how to be a mom when I get out of here.”

“Oh, of course you will, Care. If I could figure out how to be a dad with zero practice, then you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

She looked down, a hint of pink coming into her cheeks. “I feel so awful about that. I should have been letting you see her. It would have made all this a lot easier on you and Ruby.”

“Maybe. But you don’t need to worry about us. We’re good now.”

Ruby patted Carrie’s cheek. “Mama feel better?”

“Lots better,” Carrie agreed with a smile. “How’s Ruby?”

“Good. Want you to come home.”

“I want that too,” Carrie said. “Mommy has to stay with the doctors a little longer, though. Your dad is taking good care of you, isn’t he?”

“Da and Teck!”

Carrie smirked over Ruby’s head. “Tex is still there, huh?”

“We, uh, made things official.” I took a seat on the firm sofa to the side of Carrie. “We’re dating. I hope that’s, uh, okay.”

“Of course it is!” She laughed. “That’s great, Hendrix. I’m happy for you.”

I gave her a searching look. “Yeah? You really think I deserve that? I put you through hell.”

She smoothed Ruby’s hair and kissed her forehead. “We all make mistakes. That car accident haunts me.”

“I’m sure it was traumatic.”

“I have nightmares,” she admitted. “Not about me getting hurt. About Ruby. That mistake could have cost me my daughter.”

“That’s an accident, though. You didn’t intend any harm. It’s different. My mistake…it was a choice.”

She nodded. “I realize that. But you didn’t know how much fallout there would be. Even if you did…” She shook her head. “I think I’ve punished you enough. Every day you take care of Ruby, you’re making it up to me. We’re good, Hendrix, okay? I don’t want to be angry anymore.”

“Okay. I’m sorry for what it’s worth. I should have considered the risk I was taking with your life, not just mine. I never meant to hurt you.”

“Then you’re forgiven,” she said simply.

My throat went tight. Damn. I’d really needed to hear those words.

“Thank you.” I pressed my fingers to my eyes, pushing back the burn of tears. It would be silly to cry now, when the worst was behind me. I took a breath. “So, how is therapy going?”

Carrie let me change the subject.

“Well, we’re just starting to get into the intense stuff. I was too fragile before.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s torturous, but it’s a good pain. Like I know it’s taking me closer to getting my life back, and that keeps me going.”