For Him, I Would

Chapter Twenty-Nine - Family is either had or made.

Oakley had been sitting in the hospital chair for the last two hours. There were countless monitors around the bed, all beeping and explaining different vital signs for Beth. Oakley couldn't look at her for long without crying. She was beaten, bloody, and barely hanging on when Rip got her to the hospital.

The information was fuzzy.

Three men came into Beth's office, killed her assistant, and attacked her. If Rip hadn't arrived when he had, she would probably be dead. But they didn't know who they were, where they came from, or what their reason was.

Oakey shifted in her seat, trying to find a comfortable position. Kayce was with Rip and John, somewhere talking. She had volunteered to hang with Beth until she woke up and could talk to them more. A knock at the door cause Oakley to look behind her at Kayce who motioned for Oakley to come with him. She quietly left the room, closing the door gently before walking up to Kayce.

"How is she?" Kayce asked.

"Uh, not good," Oakley sighed. "But she's alive...any news on what this was or who did this?"

"Nothing yet," Kayce shook his head.

"What did the police say?" Oakley asked as a pair of nurses walked past them. When she looked back at Kayce she could tell from his face that the police hadn't been called. "So what do I tell the doctor when he asks what happened to her?"

"Looks like it could have been an animal attack," Kayce sighed. "We have a lot on the ranch."

"In her dark blue work dress?" Oakley raised an eye brown. "She was just out for a hike in heels and came across a bear or something?"

"You'd be surprised," Kayce murmured.

"You're unbelievable," Oakley shook her head. "I'm gonna go back in there with her. What are you doing?"

"I was checking on you," Kayce frowned.

"I'm fine,' Oakley snapped. "Go figure out who did this to her."

Oakley turned and walked back inside the room, sitting down in her chair and looking over at Beth.

"I'm so sorry," Oakley whispered.

A few hours later and visiting hours were over. When Oakley walked outside she saw Kayce leaning against his truck waiting for her. She hadn't seen him since she had snapped at him earlier. Slowly walking over to him, Oakley put her hands inside her coat pocket.

"Have you been out here all night?" Oakley asked him. It was a little after seven o'clock.

"Just waiting until you were done," Kayce eyed her. "Don't really want to leave you alone with what happened."

"Beth had more enemies than I do," Oakley sighed, walking around to the passenger door. Kayce beat her to it and opened it for her. Before climbing in Oakley looked up at his sunken face. "Sorry I snapped at you, I'm just worried about Beth."

"I know," Kayce said. "I didn't take offense to it."

"Yes you did," Oakley sighed, getting up into the truck, Kayce shut her door and walked around to the driver's side, got in, and pulled out of the almost deserted parking lot.

"I'm gonna come back in the morning," Oakley mentioned. "Visiting hours start at nine."

"I'll drive you," Kayce looked ahead.

"I guess you didn't find any news?" Oakley glanced over at Kayce.

"They wore all black, no labels," Kayce sighed. "We've got nothing still."