Eight
“Speaking of which, I should be thanking you for all the theatrics and dragging Ben away for the rest of the day,” I teased.
“Ah, darling, you don’t fool me. You enjoyed the cliffs, didn’t you?” he said, picking up my hand. He frowned. “Where’s the ring?”
“She turned me down,” Ben said.
“What ring?” Jonathan asked, coming across the room. “Ben, tell me you didn’t.”
“Jonathan Douglas Cross, I own a gun, and I’m licensed to use it,” I warned. Not that I’d shoot my brother on purpose, but I’d found another reason to add to my list of when to keep my gun locked up and out of reach.
“I’d listen to her, Doc. Her shooting skills are beyond reproach, even if she needs help with her choice of men.”
“Maybe we need to get your eyes checked while you’re here. I’m still in the room.”
“Fine, fine.” Malcolm sighed. “She’s woman, hear her roar. She chooses, and neither of you dipsticks get a say.”
I moved to stand, and the sheriff took my hand and squeezed. “Remember what I said, darling.”
“It’s not something I’ll forget, Sheriff,” I said and kissed his forehead. “Now don’t be a stubborn mule. You do what the doctors and nurses tell you, or I won’t come back and visit with updates from the station.”
“This one is just like my Helen with her demands.”
“If I’m half the woman she was, then I’ll take that as a compliment. Now I’m going to run, but I’ll check on you later.”
“Looking forward to it, Red.”
I handed Ben his phone, his car keys, and his grandfather’s house key. “I locked everything up and put King away. Your car is parked in front of the ER.”
“How are you going to get home?”
“I’ll take her,” Jonathan announced.
“Oh no, you won’t. I can’t be around you right now.”
“Ben, you drive her home,” the sheriff growled.
“Nope, he’s going to stay here with you until he can talk to the doctor. I’ll call a cab.”
“At least walk the girl out,” Malcolm said.
I turned at the door and met Ben’s gaze. “I guess I can let him do that.”
Ben left his keys and phone on the table and followed me out. We were waiting in front of the elevator when he slipped his fingers through mine.
“Some day, huh?”
“I’d say so.” I smiled up at him as we stepped on.
“Thank you,” he said.
“For what?”
He turned to look at me. “For saving his life.”
I leaned into his arm. “He would have done the same.”
The elevator dinged, and Ben walked me to the front of the hospital where cabs were waiting. We stepped outside, and he pulled me into his arms and kissed me with so much tenderness and love, I could feel it pouring from him.
“What, no notice?”
He kissed me again.
“I’ll see you around,” I said, slipping my hand free from his.
“You can count on it.” He winked.
I got into the cab to find him still watching me. Determination riddled his face, and I knew then he was never going away.
