Page 83 of Unpacking Secrets
“You’re supposed to be in Europe. What are you guys doing here?”
As Juliet’s focus shifted from Sarah to me, a smile spread across my face at the delight shining in her eyes. Even injured and wan under the harsh fluorescent lights overhead, she looked radiant.
“Henry called us,” Sarah said, shooting me a grateful look as she stood again, “and we got on the next flight back to the States. We have a suite at the inn, actually—it’s the most adorable place I’ve ever seen.”
I’d found her number in Juliet’s phone as soon as Libby got word Juliet was out of surgery and managed to arrange for their stay thanks to a last-minute cancellation, but even if there hadn’t been room, I would’ve made sure they knew they were welcome to a guest room at my house for as long as they wanted.
Andre nodded in agreement as he came over to kiss Juliet’s cheek. “And the bathrooms are much better than our last hotel,” he said with a grin, but it faded as he wrapped his arm around his wife. “We were worried about you, Jules. Henry told us about everything that’s happened, I can’t even believe it. We would have come home sooner, you know.”
“I know,” she whispered, “but you’ve been planning your trip for so long and I didn’t want to screw it up for you.”
Sarah gave Juliet a ferocious scowl which quickly melted into a sweet smile as she said, “You couldn’t screw anything up if you tried. We love you. I’m just glad Henry was here for you when we couldn’t be.”
Juliet’s head fell back against the pillows, her hand still clinging tightly to mine. “I’m so happy to see you both. Tell me all about your trip.”
As Sarah rambled on about their travels, I sat back and watched the three of them together. My worry, an unceasing companion these past two days, eased bit by bit as her friend described the cathedrals and museums they had visited. I’d never been to Europe, but the prospect of vacationing with Juliet to soak up as much beautiful artwork as she could handle filled me with a warm surge of hope for the future.
Whatever it took, I would make it happen. We had the rest of our lives before us, after all.
Nearly an hour had passed by the time Libby popped her head into the room. The way she beamed when she saw Juliet awake and upright mirrored my feelings perfectly.
Juliet had captured so many hearts here in Spruce Hill. I was humbled to be among that number.
“How’s our patient?” Libby asked as she approached the bed.
“Happy to be alive,” Juliet said softly, “but I’d be even happier to go home. How long do I have to stay here?”
When I saw the blush and sideways glance she shot at me after using the wordhome, I squeezed her hand in mine.
I didn’t think I'd ever get tired of hearing it.
“I’ll see if I can pull some strings. That is, if you’ve got someone to keep an eye on you this time around?” she asked, her teasing glance landing on me.
“I might never take my eyes off her again,” I vowed.
With the way Juliet was looking at me, I didn’t think she would find any cause to complain about that.
Several long hours later, after discussions with the surgeon who’d removed the bullet from her arm and with Chief Roberts himself, Juliet was cleared to leave the hospital. I kept my arm firmly around her waist from the minute she stood up out of the policy-mandated wheelchair until she was safely ensconced in my truck, then again until she was tucked into my bed.
Though she said she appreciated my concern, her tolerance for being coddled ran out first thing the next morning, when I tried to serve her breakfast in bed.
“Henry,” she snapped, “I promise you, I am fine. I have two perfectly good legs. I’m not spending another minute in this bed unless it’s to get naked with you.”
I didn’t take the outburst personally. In fact, I was pleased she was finally well enough to speak her mind again. Those days spent hovering over her pale, lifeless form, connected to sensors and machines, had been the stuff of nightmares.
Instead of arguing, I tugged the covers off her and held out a hand, then grinned when she stared at me.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Was that an invitation for me to get naked? I assumed you meant you wanted to get out of bed, but if I was wrong, I’ll gladly join you,” I told her.
Juliet grabbed my hand and rose carefully to her feet, then studied me for a moment.
“Yes,” she said finally. “I mean, yes, I want to get out of bed now, but also yes to getting naked. Later. Always. Forever. I thought you were going to give me the ‘Juliet, you almost died’ speech.”
I lifted my other hand to her cheek. The bruise had mostly faded, leaving just a hint of shadow behind. I’d never be able to erase what she had endured, but I would do my best to support her through healing from it.
“Always. I like the sound of that. And you did almost die, but I’m trying my damnedest to focus on the fact that you didn’t. I need to tell you something, though.”
“What?”
