Love All Out - Part 4 (A Stepbrother Romance) Read Free Page A

artery pumping to his left ventricle was almost completely blocked. I took a small vessel from his left leg and bypassed the blockage. He’ll be sore and he’ll need to take it easy for a while, but his recovery time will be much shorter than traditional open heart surgery. I’d like him to rest tomorrow, but I’d like him to start taking short walks the day after. The faster he’s up on his feet, the better his outcome will be.”
    “When can we see him?” Renee and I asked simultaneously. My voice was full of relief, while hers was filled with panic.
    Dr. Gulley put a comforting hand on Renee’s shoulder. “Cole is still in recovery, but he’s been assigned a room. I’ve arranged for a nurse to take you there. When Cole’s awake, we’ll bring him up.”
    “Thank you so much, Dr. Gulley,” I said, shaking the doctor’s hand.
    “It was my pleasure,” she said. “I’ll be in to check on Cole before I leave for the night. Tomorrow, we’ll all go over the rules for his new heart healthy lifestyle. I hope you’re all ready for a brand new diet. The patient has a much higher chance of sticking to it if the whole family participates.”
    “We’ll do whatever we have to,” I quickly assured her. James nodded and I turned to Renee. She was staring at the doctor, her wide eyes twinkling with hesitant excitement.
    “So… he’s really going to be okay?” she asked.
    Dr. Gulley gave her a wide grin. “He’s going to be fine . I’m going to put him on some medication to help keep new blockages from forming. He’ll have to have regular checkups and make some lifestyle changes, but I have no reason to believe he won’t make a full recovery.”
    Tears of relief welled out of Renee’s eyes and she leaned back against James’s chest. Laughter mixed with her sobs as she tried to brush away her tears. “Oh my God, I can’t believe it. I don’t remember the last time I was so terrified. Thank you so much, Dr. Gulley.”
    “You’re more than welcome,” the doctor replied, shaking her hand. A tall, slender nurse with jet black hair appeared at Dr. Gulley’s left.
    “This is Lydia, she’s going to take you to Cole’s room. I’m afraid it’s hospital policy that only one of you will be allowed to spend the night.”
    “That’s fine, the rest of us can get a hotel,” James quickly assured her. Renee stood up straight and I knew she was steeling herself to argue with me about which one of us would stay at the hospital. All that mattered to me was that Daddy was going to be okay.
    “Renee, why don’t you stay tonight?” I suggested without looking at her. “I’m sure that’s what Daddy would want.”
    I saw her body relax out of the corner of my eye. “Thank you, Willow. What time do visiting hours start tomorrow?” she asked, turning back to the doctor.
    “Lydia will explain everything to you while she takes you to the room,” Dr. Gulley patiently replied. She looked down at her watch and up again. “I should be getting back to Cole. I’ll see you all this evening.”
    “Thanks again, Dr. Gulley,” Renee said. The doctor nodded and then turned and left the room. Lydia stepped into her place and offered us all a kind smile.
    “If you’ll follow me, I’ll lead you to Mr. Rogers’ room.”
    She turned and we silently followed her out of the waiting room.
     
    ***
     
    “You’re sure you’re okay, Daddy?” I asked again. It was early Monday morning and I was perched on the edge of Daddy’s hospital bed. He smiled back at me with more color in his cheeks than I’d seen in days.
    “I’m sore and tired,” he said. “But Dr. Gulley said that’s normal. I can’t say that I love my new diet, but it’s better than winding up here again. I’m so sorry for putting you all through this,” he finished, looking sheepish.
    “You have nothing to apologize for,” I insisted, grasping his hand. “And it’s our new diet.”
    Renee nodded from the recliner next to Daddy’s bed. She still