Montana SEAL (Brotherhood Protectors #1)(39)

Finally, Sadie appeared, smiling. “Other than a few bumps, bruises and a shiner, I’m fine,” she said. “While we’re waiting for the doctor to finish with Fin, I’d like to see how your father is doing.”

“I’ll stay here and wait for Fin,” Allie said. “Tell Dad I’ll be by to see him next. Hopefully, he’ll be getting out of the hospital soon.”

A few minutes later, Hank and Sadie entered Lloyd Patterson’s room.

Hank’s father was sitting on the side of his bed, buttoning his shirt over his hospital gown.

Sadie hurried forward. “Mr. Patterson, what are you doing?”

“Getting out of this dadgum morgue. Half the county is on fire back home, and I’m stuck here.”

“The fire department is taking care of things,” Hank said. “Besides, how did you hear about it?”

“I have my sources.” Hank’s father caught Sadie’s hand. “What happened to your face, girl?”

Sadie touched the corner of her eye. “Would you believe I ran into a door?” She winked and winced.

“Hell, no.” Hank’s father’s brow drew into one of his deepest frowns. “Did my son do that to you?”

Sadie laughed out loud. “No, sir.”

Hank drew Sadie away from his father and into his arms. “I’d never hurt her.”

“Then why did you leave her to join the Navy?” his father demanded. “I never saw a sorrier face than Sadie McClain’s after you ran out on her.”

“I asked her to marry me. She said no.”

“Ladies don’t like to appear too eager. Don’t you know nothin’ ‘bout womenfolk?” Hank’s father shook his head. “When you find one as special as your mother, you hold onto her, woo her, convince her you love her more than life itself. She’s worth it.” Mr. Patterson’s frown softened as he stared at Sadie, his eyes clouding. “I loved my Maggie more than I loved to breathe. I’d give anything to have her back.” His shoulders slumped, and he seemed to get smaller.

“Mr. Patterson, you need to lie down,” Sadie said softly. “You’re not yet well enough to be out of bed.”

He let her help him back into the bed. “Maggie hung the moon, in my books.”

“I remember her. She was always so happy.” Sadie tucked the sheet around him and kissed his cheek.

“She never had a harsh word to say. Not even to me. And I was no saint.”

Hank snorted. His father had been angry for so long, he couldn’t remember when he hadn’t worn a frown.

His father lifted a hand to Sadie’s cheek and then stared across at Hank. “Make it right with Miss Sadie. She loves you and, you love her. I can’t believe you let her get away.”

Hank remembered the raw hurt he’d experienced the day Sadie had said no all those years ago. That pain had never let him.

“He didn’t let me get away. I pushed him away.” She stared down at Hank’s father. “Hank needed to follow his dreams. He’d always wanted to join the Navy and become a SEAL. If he’d married me straight out of high school, he never would have gone.”

“He’d have stayed where he belonged. Here in Montana, ranching like his ancestors.”

Hank started to say something, but Sadie beat him to it.

“He needed to go away, to do those things he’d dreamed of, so that when he came back, he’d know whether he belonged in Montana or somewhere else. Now that he’s been all over the world, he can make an informed decision.” She turned to Hank. “By now, he should have an idea of where he really wants to be, and who he wants to be with.”

“This is not the place to have this discussion.” Hank circled Sadie’s waist with his arm. “Dad, I love this woman and would do anything for her. But I need to talk with her.”

His father raised his hands. “I’m not keeping you.” He pointed his finger at his son. “But don’t screw it up this time. She’s a keeper.”

For the first time he could remember, he fully agreed with his father. “I’ll do my best.” Then he led Sadie out of the hospital room and down the hall until he found an empty room. He pulled her inside and closed the door.

The corners of Sadie’s lips quirked upward. “We have to stop meeting this way.”

Hank cupped her cheek. “If it’s the only place I can get you alone, without the house exploding, I’ll take it.” He brushed his thumb across the bruise near her eye and shook his head. “Does it hurt much?”

“Only here,” she said, and touched her hand to her chest. “Tonight, in the back of Carla’s trunk, I thought I might never see you again.”

Hank laid his hand over hers. “Sadie, Darlin’, I might not have a place in your life in LA, but I’d follow you to the ends of the earth just to be with you.”

Sadie’s eyes filled and tears slipped down her cheeks. “You belong with your SEAL team. I can’t take you away from the life you love.”

“My heart is with you.” He pulled her into his arms, molding her body to his. “If all you want from me is a bodyguard, I’ll do it.”

“I don’t want you to give up your life as a SEAL for mine.”