Page 31 of Hollywood

She bent and kissed Carrie on the forehead. Ruby patted her mother’s cheek. Then Georgia backed away. Ruby strained for the bed, saying “No! Want Mama!”

My throat tightened at the sight. She didn’t understand. Couldn’t.

Georgia carried her out of the room, still crying. Liam and Kelly followed her out, the door closing softly behind them.

“Carrie, I don’t know what to say,” I said. “I’m so sorry you’re going through this.”

She blinked hard. “I could have killed Ruby.”

“No…”

“Yes. There was a deer…swerved too late.” Every word seemed to take monumental effort, but Carrie was determined. “What if she?—”

Her voice broke, and I reached for her hand, clasping it as more tears spilled down her cheeks.

Had her hand always felt so small and dainty? I wasn’t sure. I hadn’t touched her since the day I was arrested.

“Don’t do this to yourself. You need to focus on healing. Ruby is okay.”

Her eyes slipped closed. “Tired.”

“That’s okay,” I said. “You should rest.”

“Keep Ruby safe,” she mumbled. “I couldn’t.”

“I will. I swear. I’ll take care of her. I promise you, Carrie. I won’t let you down again. Either of you.”

I’d wanted to make amends for so long. Wanted to give her a proper apology.

“Pain meds…” She trailed off, voice slurring a bit.

Well, it had probably been too much to think Carrie would be up for a heart-to-heart the morning after major surgery.

I let myself out the door and went to find Ruby. I ran into Kelly in the hallway, the car seat in her arms. I glanced past her toward the waiting room, but Tex was gone.

My gut tightened. Would I see him again, or had he already headed home?

The other guys stood, casting concerned looks my way. I’d have to give them an update.

“What did she say?” Kelly asked.

“Not a lot. Just that she could have hurt Ruby.”

“She feels guilty.” Her tone sharpened. “It wasn’t her fault, though.”

“I know. I told her not to blame herself.”

She nodded. “Good.”

“Do you, uh, know why she was okay with me taking Ruby? It’s just that she wouldn’t even let me see her before…”

Kelly frowned, forehead creasing. “I think she’s punishing herself. Thinking she’s not a good enough parent, so maybe you’ll do better.” She snorted. “Fat chance of that.”

“Ouch.” I wasn’t that bad, was I? I was inexperienced, sure, but only because I hadn’t gotten the chance to try before now.

Kelly’s smile was tight. “She also doesn’t want to burden me because I’ve got a full house and she knows I’m stretched thin. She doesn’t want our parents to take Ruby far away either, though. So she’s choosing you. But hell, I don’t know. Maybe it’s the drugs. Once her mind clears, she might change her mind.”

My throat went tight. “Ruby needs consistency. We can’t yo-yo back and forth. It’s not going to be easy to take full-time custody. I’ll need to make a lot of changes.”