38. Hadley

38

HADLEY

H adley's toes danced as she lay flat on the firm hospital bed. She'd been lying on her back for an hour, and she was going to lose her sanity if the tests didn't end soon.

"Okay, Miss Hadley. Let's bust you out of here," the nurse said as she slid plates into and out of drawers in the x-ray room.

"I can go home?" Hadley didn't try to hide the excitement in her voice.

"Not yet. I just meant the x-rays are over."

"Shoot, you got my hopes up," Hadley said. Though, she had to admit the x-rays were rough. Holding poses and turning the ways the tech needed had angered some sore parts she hadn't noticed earlier.

"I can't tell you about any official findings in your images, but I do think you'll be going home soon. "

"Thank you for that. I'm going stir-crazy in this bed."

It was only a few minutes ago that the doctor had assessed her and deemed her free to be unstrapped from the longboard. The bed was a hundred times more comfortable than the plastic torture device.

When the nurse wheeled Hadley's bed back into the private hospital room, she raised her head, hoping to finally see Gage.

The only people waiting for her were Ridge and Cheyenne. Cheyenne rose to her feet and stood at Hadley's side as the nurse locked the bed into place.

Cheyenne's breath hitched. "Are… are you okay?"

"I'm really okay. Promise." Hadley lifted her arm with the IV hanging from it. "I have to keep this in until they know for sure there isn't any internal bleeding, but I don't think I hit hard enough to do any major damage. I'll probably just have a bruise."

Cheyenne rubbed her hands over her cheeks. "I can't believe this happened. I'm a nervous wreck."

Ridge stepped up beside Cheyenne and put his arm around her. "We're really glad you're okay," he said to Hadley.

"Me too. Rome had a gun, and I…"

She'd fallen off the cliff while the gun was still pointed at Gage. Falling to the unknown below was almost as bad as not knowing if Gage was okay.

"Where is Gage?" she asked quietly.

"He's here," Ridge said. "He's with Dawson. "

"What happened? Gage didn't tell me much." The fact that he hadn't told her spoke volumes, but he said he wasn't injured.

Ridge glanced at Cheyenne before turning back to Hadley. "Rome fell off the cliff too. He didn't make it."

Hadley gasped and a sharp pain stabbed in her chest. Squeezing her eyes closed, she forced a more even breath. It could have easily been her. She'd fallen off the same cliff. The shock of Rome's death had her fighting off panic.

"Gage is pretty torn up about it. He pushed him off the edge, but it was self-defense. He's giving Dawson his statement now, and he has to go meet with the investigator later. He should be here soon. Dawson said he'd get to see you."

Her breaths were shallow and quick. "He's not in trouble, is he? I mean, he didn't mean to kill anyone." It wasn't long ago that Gage was going through the same investigation process after saving his sister. Now, he was back in the place he'd hoped to be rid of–on the law's short list.

Cheyenne rubbed her hand over Hadley's upper arm. "Asa said Mr. Benson was there. Gage had a witness. I'll let you know if I hear anything else about it, but Asa said we shouldn't worry. It was clear Rome instigated this, and he had a gun that was fired multiple times."

Closing her eyes, Hadley said a silent prayer. Gage had been through so much and was determined to move away from his family and his old life. This couldn't set him back.

He'd done this to protect her, and for that she was grateful. She'd never wish death on anyone, not even her worst enemy. But surely Gage hadn't had a choice.

There was a soft knock on the door, and Cheyenne said, "Come in."

Gage stepped into the room with tired eyes and dirty clothes. His shoulders hunched and his head hung low.

Hadley's heart lurched. He'd been so happy lately, but there wasn't a bit of that joy left now. She reached for him, and he slowly walked toward her and took her hand in his.

"Are you okay? Any news?" he asked.

"Nothing yet, but the nurse thinks I'll be able to go home soon," Hadley answered.

Ridge slid his arm around Cheyenne's waist. "We're going to check out the cafeteria."

Cheyenne looked like she might protest but let him lead her toward the door. "We'll be right back. Call if you need anything."

Once the door shut behind them, Hadley turned to Gage. "Are you okay?"

"I'm not the one who fell off a cliff." He rubbed his hand down his face and sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. "

"You didn't do anything but save me."

"This is all my fault, Hadley."

There was a finality in his voice she didn't like, and it fueled her determination. "Stop that. You're not responsible."

"He wanted to get back at me. He was after me," Gage said, poking his finger at his chest.

"No, he was messed-up and full of hate. He made a decision that cost him his life. You did what you had to do."

Gage shook his head and tucked his chin. "So I guess you heard."

"I did. I haven't really had a chance to process it yet, but I know one thing. What happened today doesn't define you. You were in an impossible situation, and you did what you had to do."

Gage rubbed the pad of his thumb over her hand. "I don't regret it. I would have done it ten times over to protect you. It's just that I'm still learning how to be this different person who is worthy of you, and I feel like I messed it up. You won't look at me the same way. I know it."

"You're wrong."

"I'm not. I haven't been a Christian long, but even I know murder is wrong."

Hadley shook her head. "Self-defense is a sad reality. I hate that you had to do that. It doesn't change the way God feels about you either. He knows your heart. I can see your remorse. Gage, that's huge. That's what makes you different from a murderer."

"Don't justify it," Gage said.

He was pulling away. She could feel it in the tension in his hand.

"This is love, not war. I know they feel the same, but you're fighting for something bigger and better than ever before. The Lord doesn't leave you when things get tough. I'll be right here beside you through everything. If you need someone to talk to, I'm here. If you need someone else to talk to, I'll support that too. Just know that you're never alone."

Gage pulled up a chair and sat beside Hadley. His shoulders rose and fell as he stared at their linked hands.

Please believe me. Please believe me. She couldn't stand to see him broken and hopeless like this.

When he looked up at her, there was a new clarity in his eyes. "I think we need to pray."

Yes. A thousand times yes. "I think so too."

"I've seen more in the last few months than I have in my entire life. I've seen things I wouldn't have believed before, and I'm convinced prayer works. Mr. Chambers said it doesn't mean I'll get my way, but I don't know what my way is right now. I guess that means I need to hand it over to God."

Hadley pressed her lips together and inhaled a deep breath. It had taken her a while to realize that truth, and that peace was still fresh in her mind. She couldn't save Gage, but everything would be okay if he continued to put his life in the Lord's hands.

"You're right."

Gage bowed his head, resting his forehead against their clasped hands. "Lord, I don't know anything about feelings, but I'm confused. And scared. I've been trying and failing for a while, and I just don't want to give up. I don't want You to give up on me. I don't deserve any second chance or the thousands of others You've given me, but I'm grateful You saved Hadley today. She's changing me and showing me how to love. I'm not perfect, but I'm trying. I…I don't know how to ask You to forgive me, but that's what I'm doing."

Hadley squeezed his hand. This was a man she'd gladly stand beside through thick and thin. They couldn't do it on their own, but hope surged in her chest. As long as they put God first, everything else would fall into place.