“And Elizabeth?”
Damon scoffs and shakes his head in genuine disappointment. “Well, she’s in even deeper trouble now, obviously. Assault, battery, accessory to kidnapping, attempted murder. She’s looking at time in prison, too.”
“She’ll never come near Shiloh again, right?”
“The judge made sure of it. She’s out of our lives for good, Clara. I assure you.”
“Good. Let’s get home because this bear claw barely calmed my appetite. I could eat the entire Wendy’s menu right about now, then wash it down with half a dozen strawberrymilkshakes,” I say and get up, giving myself a moment to make sure I’m able to walk.
The adrenaline has worn off, leaving nothing but exhaustion.
Carter raises an eyebrow at me. “I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to eat healthier now that there’s another baby on the way.”
“And I’m pretty sure I’m the one carrying said baby, and I get to decide what I eat less than an hour after being rescued from near death,” I reply with a cool grin.
“Wendy’s it is then,” Jace quips and raises his hands in a defensive gesture.
“I could go for a double cheeseburger, anyway,” Damon says.
I smile. I’m right where I need to be. Right where I belong.
Carter, Damon, and Jace have more than proven themselves for me to trust their ability to protect me, to love and cherish me the way I deserve. They’re right. I’m not alone anymore. Matty and I are no longer on our own.
I might as well start living accordingly.
31
CLARA
The moment I’ve both dreaded and ardently wished for has finally arrived.
I kiss Matty on the forehead before the doctor and a team of wonderful nurses escort him to surgery. Fortunately, we’re not alone in this.
“You’re going to be okay, honey.”
“Do you promise?” he asks, tucked under a soft blanket on the gurney.
“I promise. You’re going to fall asleep, and you’ll go off to dreamland, and when you wake up, your heart will be good as new. That’s it. Easy-peasy.”
“Lemon squeezy,” he replies with a crooked smile.
“That’s right, and we’ll all be here when you wake up,” Carter says.
Matty gives him a soft smile. “Okay, Daddy.”
I see how deep that word hits him every time Matty says it. Carter returns the smile and kisses his temple, then pulls back to let the doctors and the nurses do their jobs. I breathe deeply as I sit between Carter and Jace, while Damon crosses his legs on the floor in front of me.
“He’ll be fine,” Carter reassures me. “Dr. Radner has done this exact surgery hundreds of times all over the country. He’s the best in his field.”
“I can’t thank you enough for getting him to fly down to Baker City for this,” I reply and gently kiss his cheek.
“Hey, only the best for my kid.”
“Jodie and Margot are on their way,” Damon announces upon checking his phone. “Good thing there’s plenty of room here for all of us.”
The waiting room is bright and spacious, fitted with comfortable, plush seating and a minibar loaded with refreshments and snacks. I could eat, but I would probably throw it all back up—partly because of my morning sickness, and partly because of my jagged nerves.
“For so long, I’ve dreamed of this day,” I say after a while. “But at the same time, it scares the hell out of me. I mean, if anything happens?—”
