She’d waited so long to hear those words, yet somehow they didn’t have the impact on her she’d expected. They sounded hollow. It didn’t matter much anymore what anyone else thought about her. She’d finally seen herself as everyone else saw her. A screwup. She’d caused this. All of it. She was like a computer virus. Everything she touched went haywire.
Rick was the strong one, the one still fighting. The only thing that mattered was for him to be okay.
“We’ll see you later.” Her dad kissed the top of her head, then was gone.
Swinging doors separated her from ICU, but she could see through the windows to the nurses’ station and beyond to Rick’s room. It was comforting to stand there and watch, knowing he was close. Was he in pain? Aware of his surroundings? Could he hear her sincere apologies each time she was allowed to go in?
She watched for a long time. Anything was better than sitting in the waiting room, flipping through magazine pages that couldn’t hold her attention.
“Thought you might like some coffee.”
Luke held out a paper cup containing a caramel-colored liquid.
“Thanks.” Summer took it, cupping both hands around it for warmth. “They’re getting their money’s worth out of the air conditioner.”
“You want a jacket? I have one in the car.”
It was exactly what Rick would’ve said. Summer’s throat tightened and she took a sip. The heat burned her bottom lip, which she’d chewed raw. She could feel the hot, sweet liquid moving down through her chest. “I think this might do the trick, but thanks for the offer.”
“I wasn’t sure how you liked your coffee.” Luke gave her a lopsided grin. “But I figured you could use a pick-me-up, so I added a little of everything on the bar. Sugar, cream, a squirt of chocolate syrup and a dash of cinnamon.”
“I usually drink it black.” Summer smiled when he winced. “But this is delicious. And you’re right about me needing a pick-me-up.” The clock on the wall indicated visitation was in twenty-five minutes. Nineteen hours she’d been here. It felt like nineteen days. “Shouldn’t he have regained consciousness by now? I’d give anything to see his eyes open when we go back in there.”
“Sleep’s good for him. It lets his body do its healing work. Keeps him still.” Luke’s chin buckled as he pressed his lips together. “I hope he’s having good dreams this time.”
“Me, too.”
“It’d be a bitch to have nightmares while you were in a coma.”
Summer shivered, remembering Rick’s nightmares. She took a quick sip of coffee, seeking its warmth to offset the chill running through her.
One of the nurses walked over to Rick’s door, took the file out of the holder and scribbled something on it.
“He and Dunk had been best friends since the seventh grade. That’s when Dad retired and we moved to Little Rock.”
“I didn’t realize they went that far back.” Summer’s lip stung, and she flicked her tongue over it. “Rick wouldn’t talk about him too much. He explained to me about the tattoo over his heart. And he told me about Dunk dying in his arms...and trying to save him. That’s about all.”
Luke leaned against the wall, angling himself so he could see his brother’s door. “They were inseparable. Dunk wasn’t very big, so Rick always protected him from the bullies. It was Rick who talked him into joining the marines...they did it together. Rick thought he’d be able to protect him like he’d always done. That’s why he took his death so hard.”
“I see.” Another shudder ran up Summer’s spine.
“Luke.”
Summer jumped at Babbs Warren’s voice so close behind her. Some of the coffee sloshed onto her hand. She wiped the drops on the jeans Kate had brought her this morning.
“Why don’t you go get Summer a jacket out of the car?”
“Oh, that’s okay,” Summer protested, but Luke nodded and started toward the elevator.
“I’ll be right back.”
“Men don’t wait well.” Babbs’s smile turned a little sad. “It’s always the women who are left waiting.”
Summer looked her in the eye. “How do you stand it? The waiting, I mean. When your husband was gone...when Rick was in Afghanistan? With Jack in Lebanon and Luke headed to Syria in a couple of months? How do you stay so strong?”
“It’s not easy, I can tell you that. And don’t ever let anyone tell you any different.” Babbs took Summer’s hand. Her grip was strong and warm...more comforting than the sweet coffee.
“But I’m a military wife and mom, and I know in