Rivals In Love (Love In Montana Book 4)

She didn't wait for her dad to act. She knew him too well. He wouldn't do anything as nothing entered his thick skin, no threat, no pleadings. She had to take matters into her own hands. She called for an ambulance from Fordsville Public Hospital and quickly got her mom ready. 

The ambulance arrived in five minutes and she opened the door to them before they could ring the doorbell. With both her brothers at their dairy farm and her dad inside his room with Meg, she ushered the pre-medics inside the house to take a look at her mom. 

They checked her and looked at Georgia with concern. "Why haven't you admitted her to the hospital? I'm afraid that she might have severe COPD. It's a disease caused by Emphysema and chronic bronchitis. If left untreated, it damages the lungs which cannot be healed," said the pre-medic who tested Rose McLean. He explained what Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease was and its implications to Georgia. 

"Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. People with COPD are at increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer and a variety of other conditions," said the pre-medic. 

"Then she needs to be taken to the hospital immediately, " said Georgia, finally understanding the graveness of the situation. 

"She's not going anywhere, " ordered her dad from the door. 

"She is going to the hospital, dad. Else I'll be forced to call the sheriff for help," said Georgia. 

"The patient is in a very serious condition, sir. She needs immediate medical attention. I'm afraid that I have to take her to the hospital, " said the pre-medic who checked Georgia's mom. Allen McLean glared at Georgia, furiously but Georgia was adamant. For years she had no idea what had happened to her mom. The local old general physician hadn't even told her the name of the illness that her mom had been suffering from. Now after knowing how serious she was, Georgia lost her composure. Later she would deal with all the punishments that her dad and brothers meted out to her but right now she would carry out the duty of a daughter. 

They took her to the ambulance. Her dad didn't accompany her. "I need to make the payments, dad. I need your debit card," said Georgia adamantly, right in front of the pre-medics and the ambulance staff. Many neighbors as well as their farm workers had also gathered around to see their much loved and gentle Rose McLean being taken away. Everyone knew her sufferings. They all pitied her. Allen McLean had no option but to take his bank card out and hand it over to his daughter. 

"Send me the code," she asked. He reluctantly typed the code into his mobile phone and messaged it to her. Relieved, Georgia climbed into the ambulance and drove away with her mom. She called Hannah to help her with the hospital formalities. Later Hannah and her husband arrived at the hospital and they helped Georgia. Tests were performed upon her mom to check the extent of damage to her lungs due to faulty treatment. 

Georgia couldn't come home the whole night and neither did she arrive the next morning. The doctor had started her mom's treatment and she just couldn't leave her alone. 

It was 10:30 in the morning already and Ryan messaged her for not arriving at Alpine Dairy Farm. Georgia replied back with a message that she was at the hospital and wouldn't be able to. Hannah and her husband took turns to be with her, bringing her food and fresh clothes from her own house. Georgia had no wish to go home and face her dad and brothers. She was fine at the hospital. After three days, her mom started responding a little to the treatment and she was relieved. She hadn't been able to go to college as well the last three days. 

It was evening and as she sat at her mom's bedside, stroking her hair, her eyes popped out seeing her dad enter the room. Georgia knew instantly that he had come to create a scene and take back his bank card but she wouldn't return it back to him. She had put her mom to sleep with a lot of effort and wouldn't let her dad disrupt her peaceful sleep. She got up and walked toward her dad.

"She's sleeping. Let's go outside, dad," she said, looking fiercely protective of her mom. She walked out of the door, waiting for her dad to come out too. He followed her out without a word. It seemed a little strange but Georgia wasn't concerned about him. She wanted him to leave as soon as possible.

"I'm not returning your debit card, dad. I won't let mom die," she said solemnly. 

"I haven't come here to ask for it," said her dad, sitting down at a nearby chair.

"Then what do you want?" Asked Georgia suspiciously. 

"I just came to see Rose, " said her dad, looking defeated. "You can go home and freshen up to go to your college. I'm here for her," said her dad.

"No, I don't trust you. I'm not going anywhere till she's better, " said Georgia adamantly. 

"I'll go and see the doctor in charge," he said, walking away. Georgia saw through his motive. She wouldn't give in and let him have his way. Later when her dad had left to go to the doctor's chamber, Hannah came in with shocking news. Meg has stolen large sums of money and valuables and fled. Her brothers had been accusing their dad and they had a huge fight in front of everyone. Everyone came to know of their dad's 
wrong doings. 

It seemed that Meg had stolen money from the ranch in the next town where she used to work before. The police were after her and when Brian filed an FIR, things came out and they came to know Meg's real motive. Her dad had broken down with remorse for not having recognized her before. It was then that he realized his wife Rose's worth. 

"So, that's why he came to the hospital, " concluded Georgia. Hannah nodded. 

"Yeah, it's better late than never, Georgia. Let him spend time with his wife. Anyway, you need to go to college tomorrow, " said Hannah. 

Later a depressed and guilty Allen McLean came back from the doctor's chamber. "You can go home, Georgia. I'll stay here at night. You can go to your college tomorrow, " said her dad. Georgia was about to argue but Hannah shook her head. 

"Okay dad. If you need me just give me a call," said Georgia. She was exhausted and needed a good shower and a little sleep before she could go to college the next day. 

"Yes, I will," promised her dad. Georgia left for home at last after five long days! 

At home she dreaded meeting her brothers but thankfully no one messed with her and she simply heated the leftover dinner that Greg might have made and ate it hungrily. Later taking a refreshing shower, she went to sleep. 

The next morning she drove over to the hospital on her way to college. Hannah was there and her dad was going home to freshen up. "Should I stay too?" Asked Georgia eagerly. 

"No no, dear. You need to go to your college. My husband will come in to relieve me. The three of us will manage right now. You can come in the evening," said Hannah. Georgia checked upon her mom and left for her college at last. 

She parked her car and walked into the class just in time. The professor came in just in time and the class started. She saw Ryan's displeased look as he glanced towards her. Maybe he was repenting his decision of having selected her as a project partner. She didn't get the opportunity to speak to Ryan the whole morning as they had back to back classes. Macy updated her about all that had been taught in her absence. Finally, they received a break and Ryan walked towards her. He sat down next to her.

"Why were you at the hospital? You didn't answer any of my messages. I was so worried," he said, inspecting her face to see if she was sick. 

Georgia blinked and checked her phone. There indeed were  nearly 50 messages from Ryan in the last few days. She looked up at him. So he thought that she was sick!

"Mom's critical. She has COPD which has affected 60 percent of her lungs," said Georgia sadly. Ryan's eyes widened knowing the implication of what she had just said.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know. I thought that you were unwell. I was about to go and see you at the hospital when Ryder stopped me for fear of your brothers' reactions," said Ryan. 

"My brothers weren't bothered enough to come to visit mom. It was only me for so many days except yesterday when dad came to relieve me, " said Georgia. Ryan's eyes widened. She was at the hospital for the last five days! He really felt bad for her. What a pathetic life she had!