“Sick. No kissing my sister in front of me,” Nash groused as he strode into my hospital room.
Caden pulled back, glaring at Nash. “You’re the one who didn’t knock.”
“It’s a damned hospital. I shouldn’t have to worry about walking in on you getting it on with my baby sister.”
Roan’s lips twitched as he stepped into the room. “If that rock on her hand is anything to go by, I think we’ll have to get used to it.” He crossed to me, wrapping me in a gentle hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“Thanks, big brother,” I whispered.
“Rock?” my mom squeaked from the doorway, her gaze flying from me to Caden and back again.
Nash grabbed my hand, holding it up to the light. “I’ll be damned. She did say yes.” He grinned at Caden. “Good job, man.” Then he scowled. “You still aren’t allowed to kiss her in front of me.”
EPILOGUE
GRAE
ONE MONTH LATER
“Don’t lift that,”Caden barked.
I slowly set the box on the hatch of his SUV and turned to face my fiancé. “Caden…”
“You’re still healing.”
I blew out a breath, making the hair around my face flutter. “The doctor said I’m good to go.Two weeksago.”
“He said you still needed to take it easy,” Caden argued.
“IfI felt tired or was in pain. I’m neither.”
The handful of stitches on my back and neck had come out during that visit, and the bruises on my throat had faded so much they were nearly nonexistent. I felt remarkably good, all things considered.
Caden crossed to me, brushing the hair out of my face and wrapping his arms around me. “Just let me take care of you for a little while longer.”
I melted at the pleading in his voice. Things hadn’t been easy since my kidnapping. Caden had been on edge, rechecking the locks on the doors and windows every night before bed and checking my blood sugar levels more often than I did.
I pressed a palm to his chest, relishing the feeling of the steady beat there. “I’m okay.”
Caden dropped his forehead to mine. “You had a nightmare last night.”
I shifted in his hold. “But you got me through it.”
He pulled back. “Want to tell me what stirred things up?”
I’d had a few nightmares while in the hospital, and Caden had gotten me through each one. He’d climbed into that hospital bed and held me until I could go back to sleep. The nightmares had faded once we got home, but they’d kicked up again last night.
“I don’t know if I want to go back to work at Vacation Adventures,” I admitted.
Jordan had told me to take all the time I needed, but ever since I’d gotten the all-clear from Doc, I’d been thinking about it more. There were just too many painful memories. I couldn’t sit at a desk that should’ve been next to Eddie’s. I couldn’t be forced to relive a million different memories but question them all.
Caden stilled, staring down at me. “Okay.”
“You don’t think that makes me a coward? Not to mention a horrible friend for leaving Jordan high and dry?”
Caden traced the ridges of my spine with his fingertips. “I think you’re the strongest person I know. And the kindest. How many times have you had Jordan and Noel over here, just making sure they know you don’t blame them? Making sure the three of you heal together.”
They’d been to the house at least five times in the past two weeks alone. Jordan had been especially apologetic, both for not seeing what Eddie was hiding and for doubting Caden. Seeing how wrecked Caden had been at the hospital had made Jordan and Noel realize just how much he loved me. They might have even started tolikehim. And they weren’t the only ones; even Rance had found a moment to apologize to us both.
