That he loved her. That he needed her. They all did. And whatever it took to get her healthy, they’d do—together. Because they were a family and that’s what families did.

“Neil, I wish you’d stop hovering in the hallway and just come in already.”

He stepped into the room, gaze meeting hers in an instant where she lay partially propped up against a pile of pillows. None of last night’s anger or fear in her eyes. Just love and light.

He was at her side in seconds, dropping into the chair where he’d kept vigil off and on earlier, praying desperate prayers and wishing he’d done so many things differently. “Maggie, you . . .” He struggled to swallow his emotion. “You have no right to look so perky.”

“If this is perky, I want to know what you’re going to say when I’m finally out of this bed.” Her voice was soft and tired, but hearing it was a balm.

“Finally? You just came out of surgery eight hours ago. The fact that you’re talking is about enough to make me dance a jig.”

“I think I’d very much like to see that.”

“I won’t stay long. You probably need to rest and Lord knows you’re going to have plenty of other visitors trailing in and out of here all day.” His head dipped. “But I just need to say—”

“I’m sorry, son.”

His gaze lifted to take in her gentle smile. “What? No, that’s what I want to—”

“Last night you showed me something beautiful, Neil. Something you’d poured yourself into. You shared a well-thought-out vision and I rejected it. Just like that.”

Because she had every right. Because it was her land. Because he’d waited too long to tell her, forged ahead without even asking for her input.

He covered her hand with his. “I’m the one who should be apologizing. The farm is yours and I had no right to charge forward with plans of my own when—”

She stilled him by squeezing his hand. “About that, actually. I’ve asked Lil to do a favor for me.”

“She told me about Thanksgiving—”

“A different favor. One she’ll need her lawyer hat for. It involves my will—”

He flew from his chair so quickly it toppled behind him. “There’s no need. Dr. Lakeman said he expects a full recovery so there’s no need to talk about anything like that. And there won’t be for a long time.”

She gave a raspy laugh. “Would you please sit down and just listen for a minute?”

He gave a miserable nod and righted his chair, then sat. Her will? Did she think she wasn’t going to snap back from this? Did she have some horrible feeling—like one of Wilder’s gut instincts? Please, God . . . we need her. I need her.

“The other day Sydney was telling me about her childhood, about how hard it was for her at times seeing other children in the foster care system be adopted and never having that experience herself. At the time, I was sad for her and yet, happy she was opening up to me.” Maggie shifted against her pillows. “But since then, I’ve found myself wondering . . . thinking . . . that I missed an important opportunity years ago. With you.”