Her Cowboy (Book One Of The Brave Series)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter 23

M.

"Madeline, honey, are you okay, sweetheart!" I jumped at the sound of my mother's voice and regretted the moment I felt pain race through my body like lightning.

"Ow!" I mumble/screamed as I laid back down.

"Oh, Madeline. What happened?" I looked up to my bandaged mother and saw the tears in her eyes. Puffing up my chest to look strong for her even though I was in so much pain I smiled.

"Just some bullies at school Mom, no need to worry."

"No need to worry?!" she screamed out making me flinch.

"Four girls all attacked you and bruised your ribcage. No need to worry, my ass!" I giggled at my mom's choice in curse words. Very rarely did she curse so when she did it sounded kind of funny.

"This is no joke Madeline!" she huffed, and her cute little chubby cheeks turned red.

"I know Mom, but it's not as serious as you're making it. The situation was handled and aside from that no other action is needed." I said.

"How do you know that?!" she threw her hands up exasperated. I looked her in the eyes.

"Trust me, it's been handled." She paused and then realization came to her and she nodded, pausing before continuing what she was saying.

"Well, anyways, they already did what they could for your ribcage. Said bedrest for the next few weeks at least."

"What about school?" I asked her. She put up her hand.

"I already handled that. You will be doing a temporary homeschooling until you can recover fully."

"But Mom, those girls, they're going to th-"

"Think what? That they won? That's not how the world works sweetheart. They all came down on you all at once and you handled it. You are my daughter and I know you, so when you say that you handled it I know that those girls would not be foolish enough to think they won. Knowing schools and this generation I also know that plenty of other students saw what transpired and will more than likely humiliate and degrade those girls for you. This isn't some teenage drama movie. They may not have been courageous enough to stop it, but no one will be on their side for it."

Looking at my mother now and how strong she was made me smile.

"That smile is creeping me out Madeline." She said, and I laughed. "Anyways, I already signed your release paperwork and they'll come in in a little bit to get you going."

"Thanks Mom, for everything." I said lifting my arm up very slowly, ignoring the aching in my ribs and wrapped my arm around her neck. She leaned over and hugged me back.

"I love you." I said.

"I love you too, Sweetheart." She said pulling back.

"Anything on him?" I asked. She shook her head.

"Don't know where he is so the police advised us to stay with friends until they can get him. Says he's unstable and could wind up really hurting someone. I've already spoken with the Tyler's and they're okay with it."

"Okay, just be careful getting to and from work." I replied, and she nodded.

"Well, technically I wasn't supposed to leave my room y-"

"Dr. Reed, why are you out of your room? You're supposed to be resting!" A lady nurse came barging into the room grabbing Mom by the ear. She looked at me and smiled.

"Sorry to cut this reunion short but your mother needs her own rest and your buddies are causing a ruckus out there." I laughed and nodded as she dragged my mom from the room.

"See-ya later Mom." I waived. She waived back as the door shut behind her.

I sighed and leaned back. So, he was still out there huh? For a moment I wondered if they would ever find him and get him out of our lives. Mom may love him even still, but he was no good and would one day hurt her past the point of repair. He needed to go to jail for what he has been doing to her. And if he dared show his face and try to harm her again...things would end badly. He may be my father but never had I felt an ounce of love from him, and the way he treated us even when my mom cared for him and loved him the way she did made me so angry.

The quick beeping of my heart monitor brought my head back around to the here and now. I took a calming breath and closed my eyes for a moment to calm down. He would get what was coming to him. That was certain.

The slamming of the door against the wall made me jump and my eyes flew open. It was a terrifying sight to see as five teenagers came flying towards my bed.

A.

"Bruised rib!" she cried out and everyone skidded to a halt. There was a minor pause and then Anna charged towards Madeline.

"Little missy, you know how worried we were?! Why would you hide something like that?"

"Are you okay?" Axel asked.

"Any screws or bolts?" Riley asked.

"Anna you're pulling on her sheets." Daniel said pulling Anna back a little.

Madeline smiled as her heart rate finally began calming again.

"I didn't tell you because you'd freak out like you're doing now. Yes, I'm okay, just hurts a bit. No screws or bolts as far as I know. And thank you Daniel, I couldn't breathe. Can I leave now?"

"Yes! We'll go get the nurse right on it. Let's go guys." Anna burst as she pulled along Axel and Riley before they could protest, and Daniel followed obediently. Before closing the door, Anna gave me a look telling me to start talking and I sighed. The door closed, and the air went silent.

"So...um, Madeline I have to tell you something." I said hanging my head.

"Save it, when you can look me in the eyes and tell me is when I'll sit and listen. Until then I don't need to hear anything." My head shot up and I wanted to respond but the door slammed open again and I felt like screaming at the top of my lungs because I couldn't tell this girl what was going on. I felt guilty that she was in pain because of me. Because if it weren't for me then Chloe wouldn't have done what she did. But she was right. I needed to buck up and look her in the eyes and tell her everything like a man.

Looking at her I said "Later." Before the nurse started her releasing procedures and we brought home Madeline.

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EDITED VERSIONJ. Vas