Roaring Fork Rockstar (Roaring Fork Ranch Book 3), page 17
“Mommy?” Her voice trembled. “What’s happening?”
I sat on the edge of her bed, taking her small hand in mine. “Remember how the doctors said they needed to give you special medicine to make you better? They’re going to give you the first part when you wake up in the morning.”
She looked beyond me. “Are you leaving again, Mr. Holt?”
“I’m not going anywhere, Unicorn Girl,” he promised, settling into the chair beside her bed.
Holt and I spent the night in the room with Luna, giving my father a much-needed break. By morning, the nurses began preparing for her first treatment. I gripped Holt’s hand as the drugs that would hopefully save my daughter’s life began flowing through her IV. Throughout it all, Holt continued his story of brave unicorn girls and magical healing flowers—his voice steady and reassuring when mine would have failed me.
When Luna finally drifted to sleep and the first round was complete, I remained seated at her bedside, knowing if I tried to stand, I’d probably pass out.
Holt dragged the other chair beside mine and sat down, offering me a cup of terrible hospital coffee.
“You should rest,” he said quietly.
“I can’t leave her,” I replied, staring at Luna’s pale face.
He rubbed my shoulders. “I know.”
“You can go—”
“I’m not leaving your side, Keltie, so whatever you were about to say, don’t bother.”
Exhaustion pulled at me, but every time my eyes started to close, I jerked myself awake.
“Tell me about the first song you ever wrote,” I said, desperate to stay awake, to keep watch over my daughter.
Holt smiled, understanding what I needed. “It was terrible. I was fourteen and thought I knew everything about heartbreak after Berta Thompson dumped me at the spring dance.”
“Let me guess—lots of references to tears and rain?”
“And broken hearts and empty promises,” he confirmed with a self-deprecating chuckle. “I played it for Flynn once, and she laughed so hard she almost choked on her cereal.”
I smiled despite everything. “What was the first good song you wrote?”
He thought for a moment. “Probably ‘Montana Sky.’ I wrote it after a road trip with Cord and Porter when I was nineteen. It was the first time I felt like I’d captured something real.”
“I’d like to hear it sometime,” I said, my eyes heavy.
“You will,” he promised.
We talked into the night, Holt telling stories about growing up on the ranch, about his brothers and sister, about his dreams for his music. I shared memories of my sound-engineering days, the bands I’d worked with before CB Rice, the thrill of crafting the perfect mix.
At some point, I moved to his lap and my head drooped against his shoulder. The last thing I remembered before sleep claimed me was the comforting weight of his arms.
I woke to new voices in the room. Luna was still asleep while Holt spoke with Dr. Robbins and a man I didn’t recognize.
“This is Dr. Bigsby, our transplant specialist,” Dr. Robbins explained when she noticed I was awake.
He stepped forward and shook my hand. “Hello, Ms. Marquez.”
“Keltie, please.” While I was able to speak a couple of words, my mind was reeling. Any hope I’d had of keeping Remi from knowing my daughter, was gone. I had no choice, though. Her survival was all that mattered. Not my pride, not how much of an asshole he was. Nothing trumped Luna’s health. “How soon?” I managed to ask.
“Not immediately,” Dr. Bigsby assured me. “We’ll try to get her into remission with chemotherapy first. But I understand Dr. Robbins told you we’d like to start testing potential donors now, so we’re prepared if the time comes.”
“I’m ready whenever you are,” I said firmly.
Dr. Robbins put her hand on my arm like she so often did. “I understand this is difficult, but I highly recommend we test Luna’s biological father in the event you are not a full match.”
“We’ll make sure it happens,” said Holt, who stood quietly beside me.
“The testing process is like any other blood draw. We can do yours this morning if you’re ready,” Dr. Bigsby suggested.
“We’re ready,” I confirmed, grateful for the doctor’s professionalism.
After they left, I turned to Holt. “When do you have to leave?” I asked, too tired to count the hours since he’d arrived.
“About that…”
My eyes opened wide, and I gasped. Had he already been here over forty-eight hours?
He took my hands in his. “It’s good news. Buck spoke with the attorney, who, I guess, spoke with the trustee, who agreed to allow me to remain in Denver as long as necessary.”
“Holt, I don’t want you to feel as though you have to—”
“Keltie, you and Luna mean the world to me, but I couldn’t be the one responsible for my siblings losing their inheritance. Buck has it in writing if you want to see it.” He winked.
“You’re telling me the truth?”
His relaxed expression tightened. “I will always tell you the truth. That’s a promise.”
Before I could say more, Luna stirred, her eyes fluttering open. “Mommy? Mr. Holt?” Her voice was raspier than usual, an early sign of the drugs’ effects.
“We’re right here, baby,” I assured her, leaning down to kiss her forehead.
“Can you hold me?”
Her pleading voice nearly shattered me. “Of course I can.” I climbed beside her into the narrow hospital bed, careful not to disturb the IV line, and held my daughter as close as I could.
Holt kissed each of our foreheads. “I have to make a couple of phone calls, but I’m not leaving.”
“Promise?” Luna whispered.
“I promise.” He reached for her tiny hand and wrapped his pinky around hers.
20
HOLT
Istepped into the hallway outside the room, determined to make the calls I needed without disturbing Keltie or Luna. After rounding a corner, I pulled my phone from my pocket. As I’d told Keltie, Ben Rice would have more sway over Remi Gilbert than I would. Most likely, the asshole wouldn’t even take my call. I scrolled to Ben’s number, but after several rings, his voicemail picked up.
“Ben, it’s Holt. I need your help with something important involving Luna—Keltie’s daughter. Call me as soon as you can. It’s about Remi.”
I hung up and stared at the phone for a moment. This shouldn’t be so complicated. All we needed was for the guy to get tested. But given how he’d denied Luna was even his and abandoned Keltie when she was pregnant, I couldn’t imagine him agreeing that easily.
The worst part was watching Keltie wrestle with the knowledge that she’d have to reach out to the man who’d hurt her so badly. I’d seen the flash of panic in her eyes that she’d quickly masked. It was the same expression she wore the day she’d seen me talking to him in the street in front of her house.
I needed a plan B if Ben couldn’t help. I dialed Buck’s number, grateful when he answered quickly.
“Everything okay?” Buck’s voice came through clearly even though I could hear Buckaroo having a meltdown in the background.
“Sounds like you’ve got your hands full.”
“Nah, TJ says sometimes we have to let him cry. No matter how much it rips our hearts out to do.” I heard a door open and close, then silence. “How’re you doin’, Holt?”
“I’m okay. It’s Keltie and Luna I’m worried about. She started treatments this morning,” I said, keeping my voice low. “And this is the harder part; the doctors are recommending a bone marrow transplant. They want to test as many potential donors as possible, including her biological father.”
“How’s Keltie handling it?” Buck asked.
“Better than I would in her position.” I leaned against the wall. “Buck, I can’t walk away from them.”
“And you don’t have to,” he assured me. “It’s all taken care of with Six-pack. You have permission to stay in Denver as long as needed.”
A nurse walked past, making quick eye contact before continuing down the hall. I lowered my voice further.
“Anyway, there’s another reason I called. A couple, actually.”
“What’s up?” Buck asked.
“A woman from the Miracles of Hope charity—Echo West—was here, meeting with Keltie yesterday. Get this, she’s Bridger’s mother.”
“Small world.”
“Anyway, that’s not the important part. I’ve been trying my damnedest to figure out why this charity is important enough that if one of us screws up, everything will go to them.”
“And?”
“I’m not there yet, but she mentioned something that’s been bothering me. The charity used to have a different name.”
“Oh?” Buck’s tone sharpened with interest.
“Scarlett’s Hope,” I said. “Named after the founder’s daughter who died of leukemia. After the founder passed away, they changed it to Miracles of Hope.”
The silence on the other end of the line stretched for several seconds.
“Scarlett,” Buck finally said. “That’s not a common name.”
“You’re right.” I turned away from a passing doctor. “Could be nothing, but given everything with the trust and this charity specifically being named in my codicil…”
“You think we should find out who the founder was.”
“Exactly. At least it might give us a clue as to who the trustee is.”
“Makes sense. I’ll call Decker Ashford and ask for his help.”
“Worth a shot,” I said. “After meeting Echo, learning about the charity’s history… I’m convinced more than ever that it’s a lead. Maybe ask Bridger what he knows.”
“You got it.” I could hear Buck moving around. “What else?”
“I tried calling Ben Rice, but couldn’t reach him. It’s urgent that I get in touch with him. Really urgent.”
“You want me to head over to the Flying R and see if I can track him down?” Buck offered. “I’ve been meaning to talk to him anyway.”
“About what?”
“Flynn suggested organizing a benefit concert to help with Luna’s medical expenses. I figured if we could get Ben to support it, he might be able to bring in a few big names, even if CB Rice can’t participate due to the tour.”
A lump formed in my throat at the thought of my family rallying for Luna and Keltie. “That would be amazing,” I managed.
“Flynn’s thinking maybe have it at the amphitheater.”
The idea of using music to help Luna’s situation felt right. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me, Buck. The family supporting my girls this way.” I choked up again and brushed a tear away.
“Your girls,” Buck repeated. “I like hearing you call them that.”
“It’s what they are, man. I love, err, care about them.”
“You were right the first time.”
“Hey, thanks for all this, Buck.”
“Sure thing. I’m happy to do whatever I can to help.”
After hanging up, I wandered toward the small visitor’s lounge at the end of the hall. It was midafternoon, and thankfully, Luna had been handling her first treatment well so far, with just some drowsiness from the medication.
I hadn’t set out to become so involved in their lives. When I first met Luna at the Goat, I’d felt that strange connection, that sense that something was wrong, but I never imagined being here, in a pediatric oncology ward, watching a four-year-old fight for her life.
The coffee tasted as bad as it looked. I dumped most of it in the trash and headed toward Luna’s room, pausing at the nurses’ station.
“Can you point me in the direction of the cafeteria?” I asked the nurse checking charts.
She smiled. “Second floor. Take a left off the elevator. The coffee there is actually drinkable, unlike the stuff in the lounge.”
“Thanks,” I said gratefully. “Can I bring anything back for the staff?”
She looked surprised by the offer. “We’re fine, but that’s kind of you. Luna’s a special little girl. We’re all pulling for her.”
“She is that,” I agreed.
I rode the elevator down to the cafeteria, which was busier than I expected. Hospital staff in various colored scrubs sat amongst visitors. I grabbed a tray, a turkey sandwich, a fruit cup, and a bottled water for Keltie, along with a decent-looking coffee. When I raised my head after inserting my credit card in the machine, I caught a man studying me from where he stood at another register, paying for his purchase. “Do I know you?” I asked.
“Don’t think so,” he said, holding out his hand for the change the cashier was giving him. He walked away but glanced over his shoulder. “Best of luck to you and your family.”
“Huh,” I muttered, although it wasn’t that strange of a thing to say, considering we were in a children’s hospital.
On my way out, I noticed a gift shop adjacent to the cafeteria. Through the window, I spotted a display of stuffed animals, including a unicorn that looked remarkably similar to Sparkles, except this one was pink.
I grabbed it, along with a soft blanket in Luna’s favorite color, purple. The cashier wrapped everything in tissue paper and placed it in a gift bag.
“For your daughter?” she asked with a smile.
The question caught me off guard. “For a very special little girl,” I answered, not bothering to correct her assumption.
Balancing the tray and gift bag, I made my way to Luna’s room. Outside the door, I paused at the sound of Luna’s voice, surprisingly animated, given she’d been sound asleep when I left.
“And then the unicorn flew all the way to the mountain with the magic flower,” she was saying. “She wasn’t scared at all, Mommy.”
“That sounds very brave,” Keltie replied, her voice gentle. “Just like a girl I know.”
I knocked softly before pushing the door open with my knee. Luna’s face brightened when she saw me.
“Mr. Holt! I was telling Mommy about the new story I thought of.”
“Can’t wait to hear it,” I said, setting the tray and bag down. “But first, I brought something for your mom.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” Keltie said, though the gratitude in her eyes conveyed otherwise.
“Figured you’d be hungry, and even if you weren’t, you should eat something decent.” I handed her the coffee first, which she accepted like it was liquid gold. “And I may have found something for a certain magical creature enthusiast.”
Luna’s eyes widened as I presented her with the gift bag. “Is it my birthday?”
“Who says presents are only for birthdays?” I winked at her, earning a giggle.
She tore into the tissue paper, gasping when she pulled out the pink stuffed animal. “Mommy, look!”
“What are you going to name her?” I asked, enjoying her excitement.
Luna cocked her head and tapped her cheek. “Shimmer,” she decided. “Because she shimmers like the stars.”
“Perfect name,” Keltie said, meeting my eyes over Luna’s head with a small smile that conveyed volumes.
A nurse came in to check her vitals and adjust her IV. Luna barely noticed, too busy introducing Shimmer to Bunny.
“How’s our patient doing?” the woman asked, recording numbers from the machines.
“She’s a rock star,” Keltie said, her voice holding steady despite the worry I knew she carried.
“That’s for sure,” she agreed. “Oh, and Dr. Robbins said to tell you she’ll be in shortly.”
After she left, Keltie turned to me. “Did you reach Ben?”
“Left him a message,” I said. “And I talked to Buck. He’s going to track him down for us.”
“Thank you,” she said quietly. “I’ve been trying to figure out how to handle the, err, situation.”
“Buck mentioned another idea too. Flynn’s organizing a benefit concert for Luna.”
“But the charity—”
“There are always costs that insurance and assistance don’t cover,” I said. “Besides, it gives everyone at home a way to help.”
She blinked rapidly. “Everyone’s been so kind.”
“The Goat’s a special place. So is the person who runs it.”
A soft knock interrupted us as Dr. Robbins entered. “How’s my favorite patient?” she asked with a warm smile.
“I got a new unicorn!” Luna exclaimed, holding up Shimmer alongside Sparkles.
“They’re beautiful,” Dr. Robbins said, checking the chart. “Just like your numbers. You’re doing great, Luna.”
As she and Keltie chatted, I helped Luna arrange her growing collection of stuffed animals on the bed.
“Mr. Holt,” she whispered. “Can you add Shimmer to our story?”
“Absolutely,” I promised. “I think they’re going to have a lot of fun adventures together.”
She smiled, her eyes heavy with medication-induced drowsiness. “Just like you and Mommy.”
I was stunned silent. Out of the mouths of babes, as they say.
“Rest, sweet girl,” I said, tucking the blanket around her. “We’ll work on our story later.”
Once the doctor left, Keltie sank into the chair beside Luna’s bed, the emotional and physical toll of the day evident in the slump of her shoulders.
I took her hand and pulled her onto my lap instead. “Your little girl is quite a trooper. Like her mama.”
Keltie gave a weary smile. “I don’t feel like one right now.”
“That’s why I’m here,” I told her. “To be strong when you need a break.”
“And when do you get a break?”
I glanced at Luna, peaceful in sleep despite the tubes and monitors. “This isn’t about me. This is about getting her better.”
Keltie looked like she wanted to say more, but fatigue won out. She rested her head on my chest and let her eyes drift closed.
I sat in quiet vigilance, watching them both. Luna’s face appeared peaceful while Keltie’s expression, even in sleep, carried the worry she’d been hiding all day.
