No Place to Run (KGI #2)(81)

Whatever was done with it now would be Sophie’s decision. Sam wouldn’t take that away from her. She’d fought too hard and risked everything to keep it from the wrong hands. He trusted her to do what was right.

“Sam?”

He turned to see his mom standing in the door.

“Hey. Come on in.”

“I wanted to see how she was doing but didn’t want to disturb either of you.”

Sam smiled and motioned her inside. “Sophie’s sleeping. She’ll probably be out for a while.”

He got up, but she all but shoved him back into his seat.

“You sit.”

He reached for her hand. “How are you, Ma? Really.”

She sighed and then smiled. “Better now that I know my boys are okay. Ethan talked to Rachel. She’s holding up well. Sean said she’s been a rock for Frank and Rusty.”

“I talked to Sean too. He said Dad was doing better. Should be ready to go home by the time we get there.”

Marlene put her hand on Sam’s shoulder and squeezed. “How are you doing, son?”

He was silent for a moment, and he looked over at Sophie, watching the gentle rise and fall of her chest.

“I love her, Ma. I want you to love her too.”

Marlene smiled. “I already do. How could I not love someone who so fiercely loves my son? She risked her life for me. She’s a very courageous woman.”

Doubt crowded Sam’s mind. “I hope she can forgive—”

“Forgive what?” Marlene interrupted.

Sam sighed. “I didn’t trust her at first. I didn’t trust her there at the end. I thought she’d lied to me. She has to know that.”

“Before you torture yourself needlessly over something that may not be, wait and ask her. I think things will be a lot better than you think.”

He smiled and reached up to cover her hand where it lay on his shoulder. “You always have a way of simplifying things and making me feel better. Sometimes I feel six years old again, confident in the knowledge that Mom can fix everything.”

She leaned down and kissed his cheek. “I hope you never lose that, baby. I don’t know a mother alive who won’t always try to make things better for her children, no matter how old they are.”

“There are going to be changes, Ma. You need to realize that. This . . . what all that’s happened . . . has changed everything. I need to know that you and Dad are safe. That the family is safe.”

Her smile was achingly sad as she stared down at him. “I know, Sam. And I want you to know something. I want you to know how proud your father and I are of you. Even with everything that has happened, I wouldn’t change who you are and what you do for anything. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made in order to make the world a better place. Your father has always believed that, and he’s passed that ideal on to each and every one of his sons. Yes, your father will grumble and make noises over change, but he’ll accept it with the same grace that he’s always accepted knowing that each of his sons risks his life every day because he wants to make the world safer.”

“I love you. Do you know that?”

She enfolded him in her arms and squeezed. “I know, but it’s nice to hear.”

“I didn’t even ask about Garrett. Is he out of surgery? Is that why you’re here now?”

She nodded. “They took him to recovery a while ago. They said I could go back when he starts to come around, but they don’t expect that for another half hour or so. I wanted to come check on you and Sophie.”

“Thanks. I’m good.”

“I won’t even ask if you’re bringing her home,” Marlene said with a smile.

“Over my dead body will she go anywhere else,” he said gruffly.

Marlene glanced at the monitor with a wistful look. “I admit, I never expected you to give me my first grandchild, but in a way it’s fitting. You’re the oldest.”

Sam leaned forward. “Did I tell you? Of course I didn’t. How could I? She’s having a girl. I saw her for the first time at the hospital where Dad is.”

Marlene’s face lit up. “A girl! Oh, won’t that be so much fun. She’ll have you wrapped around her finger for sure.”

Sam’s chest expanded, and he felt such a surge of anticipation that it made his skin tingle. He imagined a blond-haired, blue-eyed little girl. The spitting image of her mama.

“They both will,” he said huskily.

His mother chuckled. “Yes, I suspect you’re right.”

She patted his cheek and cast one last look in Sophie’s direction. “I’m going to go back to Garrett. I expect he’ll be grumpier than a hungry rattlesnake when he comes around. I’ll need to make sure he doesn’t scare off the nurses with all his growling.”

Sam laughed and rose to hug her. For a long moment he just hung on to her. She felt very precious in his arms. He had a lot to be grateful for. He owed her life to Sophie.

“I can arrange to have you go home ahead of us so you can get back to Dad. He needs you.”

She hugged him fiercely. “Right now my sons need me more. I’m not going home without Garrett. Your father would have a kitten if I even thought of leaving. He’d want me to be here.”

She pulled away, gripped his arms and stared hard at him. “I know you’re worried about Sophie, but you need rest, Sam. Even a couple hours in the chair would be better than nothing. You said yourself she’d be out for a while.”