And for a moment I do. I could actually let myself breath with Savannah’s hands on my body and her eyes on my face. It’s a comfort I’m not familiar enough with to let it take over. Instead, I spin around and grab the papers from off the counter.

The nurse crosses her arms and stares at me as I shove the papers into a black bag by her feet. “Get out. Savannah, call 9-1-1. We’re taking Hazel to a real hospital.”

“Murph, stop!” Ryder bellows from the window.

“Please don’t leave,” Savannah pleads with the nurse, still holding tight to my arm.

“If you want me to leave I will, but I’m telling you, Mrs. Whitaker signed a DNR and legally, they cannot help her. If you move her, you’ll only bring her pain.”

“We’re not moving her.” Ryder steps up behind the nurse, and I notice the way he tries to position himself between us. Like I would actually hurt this woman. I’m not going to lay a finger on her, but right now, I want her out of my sight.

“She’s stirring,” a shaky voice calls from the hallway.

“Come on, Murph,” Savannah says as she pulls me toward the room, but my feet are still as stones against the floor. I can’t watch someone I care about die. I can’t add Hazel to that list of people I care about because everyone on that list is gone.

“Daddy?” There is a small voice that quiets every other voice in the room, and it’s so out of place, it distracts me from the worries playing in my head. As I turn to find a small figure with long nearly white locks step out of the living room, my head practically spins.

She has Ryder’s long face and broad mouth. And my eyes don’t leave her small form as she scurries over and launches herself into his arms.

It probably shouldn’t be so surprising. Ryder was always active with the ladies, and after being gone so long, I would probably be more surprised if he didn’t knock someone up. The surprising part is the way he cradles her, kisses her head, holds her close. He brought her here, with all of the toxicity between him and his asshole brother who would give him hell no matter what…

“Murph, it’s time, honey.” Ruby calls me again from the hallway. She has a hand out toward me, and I finally unlock my feet from their stance and walk toward the woman. Her warm hands grip my arm as I stumble into the room.

For a moment, I think it’s too late. Hazel doesn’t move, and I can’t hear her breathing anymore. Then, she takes a long, staggering breath. When she lets it out, it seems like the last one.

I take her hand and hold it, even though it’s already cold. Then, I harden the layer around my heart with another cold wall, just to be sure that nothing gets in...or out.