“I see. Have you tried?”

Rachel nodded. “I told you, it’s useless. Everyone thinks I’m not helping him because I’m mad at him, though.”

“I’m not saying Cash doesn’t deserve your anger, merely that your gift comes from love, and hate always stands in the way of love.” When Rachel rolled her eyes at his trite words, Dean laughed. “I know it sounds idealistic, but I believe it. Just because I’m no longer a minister, it doesn’t mean I don’t have faith.”

She knew he might be right. Whenever she had felt the warmth in her hands, it had come when she was thinking of how much she wanted to help the person and cared for their happiness.

“I’m not capable of helping him.”

“I get pretty mad at Cash sometimes. I wasn’t at the party, and he pissed me off.”

Rachel blushed.

“The hardest battle I fought as a minister was everyone’s view of sex. I don’t believe because a woman enjoys her sexuality that makes her a whore. Small towns tend to be judgmental.”

“Yes, they do,” Rachel agreed.

“Rachel, I don’t doubt you’re hurt, angry, and embarrassed to have something that was special to you thrown out at a party to humiliate your brothers. You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”

Rachel looked quickly over her shoulder at Cash, as if he could hear them while in a coma. “I was. I don’t even like him now, though,” she confessed.

Dean nodded. “If it’s any consolation, he felt terrible about what happened. He was trying to find you when he wrecked.”

Rachel closed her eyes tightly, not wanting to feel any emotion toward Cash.

“I’m not trying to get you to forgive him. This is about you, Rachel. You are a very giving and kind person who has helped every person in this town at one time or another, yet you didn’t give any of us a chance to stand beside you when you needed us. You ran.”

“I was so angry at my brothers and Cash. I didn’t want to be near them.”

“If you keep letting them control you, they will. Learn to stand up for yourself.”

“That’s easier said than done,” Rachel replied.

“I’m willing to bet they’re more willing to compromise since you left. I’ve seen Tate, and he’s in bad shape. Dustin and Greer aren’t much better.”

Rachel blinked back tears. Her brothers might be idiots, but she missed them. “I’ll call them.”

Dean’s hand squeezed her arm. Standing up straight, he then gave her the smile she had seen on so many Sunday afternoons.

“I’ve missed having you to talk to. Do you miss the church at all?”

An indiscernible look crossed his face. “I miss talking with and helping the people I grew close to while I was undercover, but getting up early every Sunday? No.”

Rachel laughed at his attempted joke.

“If you need to talk, I’m just a phone call away,” Dean offered.

“I am, too,” Rachel returned the offer as he left then stood, staring sightlessly at Cash on the bed.

Gingerly reaching out her hand, she touched his foot and attempted again to connect with something in him. Nothing.

She sat back down on the chair, waiting.

Chapter 12

Rachel was crossing the parking lot to her car when she saw her brothers walking toward her. She thought about going back inside the ICU where they couldn’t go—Shade had put them on the ‘do not admit’ list to provide her with a safe zone from them—instead, she stopped and waited for their approach.

She refused to feel guilty when she saw how worried they were. Tate’s face was haggard, and he had aged at least ten years in a matter of weeks. She braced herself for their harsh words, but was ill-prepared when Tate didn’t hesitate to jerk her into his arms, holding her close. When he finally released her, she was enfolded in Greer’s then Dustin’s embrace.

“I’m going to give you an old-fashioned butt whippin’ for scaring the shit out of me, Rach,” Tate threatened.

She didn’t get angry; she could tell he had taken her disappearance hard.

“I’m not sorry I left, Tate. You needed to cool down. You don’t have the right to talk to me that way. And Greer, your behavior humiliated me in front of my friends, and it’s not the first time. You need to get your act together. Dustin, you’re a father now; you’re too old to be picking fights and should be setting an example for your son. You’re letting Holly raise your child and set all the limits. Is that how you want to raise Logan? Tate, you told me that Mom and Dad would be ashamed by my behavior, but I don’t think my behavior is the one who would be shaming them.

“Not a one of you have tried to do anything but sell weed. Is that the legacy we’re going to leave Logan; another generation running from the law, living on the outskirts of society? Until you three get your act together, I don’t want to talk to you.”

She left her three brothers standing there with their mouths open.

* * *

“We decreased his medication so he’s in more of a deep sleep versus a coma.”

Rachel stood behind the large group of bikers as they listened to Cash’s doctor explain his condition.

“His spinal injury is quite severe, and we’re going to begin to wean him off the ventilator.” The doctor paused. “I do not anticipate him walking again.”

At his proclamation, several of the women began crying. Viper put his arms around Winter, Knox pulled Diamond closer, and Evie turned to King. Everyone there stood stupefied at the doctor’s prognosis that the consequences of the wreck would be life-changing for Cash.

The Last Riders began making plans as soon as the doctor left.

“We can put him downstairs. It’s accessible with a wheelchair and has the exercise equipment and hot tub,” Viper stated.

“I’ll call Donna as soon as he’s out of the rehab center,” Winter said.

Cash was loved by this group of people who he had made his family.

Lily and Beth both came to stand by her side after the others had left.

“Don’t you ever do that to me again.” Lily’s tearful voice brought a sheen to her own eyes. “You could have at least called me.”

“I’m sorry, Lily.”

Lily’s bright smile appeared, and Rachel was grabbed in a tight hug before she was released and grabbed by Beth.

“Rachel, I understand how you felt. Do you remember how Georgia called me names on Christmas Eve? The men were the ones who made fools of themselves; no one thought badly of you.” Lily’s words struck home.

“I was just so embarrassed. Then I was angry and wanted to get away.”

“I know how you feel. Sometimes, you need to take a step back and let yourself heal before you can face things,” Lily said, squeezing her hand. “Next time, please don’t go off without telling anyone where you are, though.”

“I won’t,” Rachel promised.

“How are the babies?” she asked Beth, changing the subject.

“Growing big.” Beth laughed, showing her pictures on her phone. The twin boys looked just like their father. The chubby babies were both wearing baby Harley t-shirts in the picture.