“She’s alive,” Mike called out to Gabe as he frantically ran into the room, falling to his knees beside Nica’s still form.“But she’s unconscious.We need paramedics up here now!”
Gabe’s hands shook as he felt for her pulse—weak and thready, but there.Her skin was burning with fever, and when he lifted her eyelids, her pupils were dilated and sluggish to respond.
“Nica,” he whispered, gathering her carefully into his arms.“I’m here.I’m here, and you’re safe now.”
Her eyes fluttered open for just a moment, unfocused but searching.When they found his face, the faintest smile touched her lips.
“My love,” she breathed, the word barely audible.“Knew you’d come.”
“Always,” he promised, his own voice breaking.“Always.”
As the paramedics rushed in with their equipment and medications, as Banner was dragged away in handcuffs still screaming threats and curses, Gabe held Nica close and whispered the words he’d told her on the day he proposed; words he repeated on the day they married, and the words he told her every day—words of love, of promise, of a future they would build together once this nightmare was finally over.He knew she couldn’t hear him, but he’d say them again and again, making sure she knew that she was the center of his world, his everything.
The trap had worked after all—just not the way he’d planned.Sometimes, Gabe reflected as the ambulance raced back toward the hospital, the best laid plans were the ones that fell apart just enough to let something better take their place.
Like love conquering fear, like hope surviving in the darkest places, like the promise that no matter what came next, they would face it together.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Six weeks later
Nica stood atthe edge of the dance floor, her eyes sweeping across the sea of familiar faces that filled the community center.Fortunately, the building’s construction had been finished in time for tonight’s celebration.She smiled, thinking about her momma making sure things were completed, especially since her dad’s construction company was building the town’s newest addition to downtown.
String lights twinkled overhead like captured stars, and the sound of laughter mixed with the gentle strumming of the local band, the music filling the warm Texas evening air.They’d left the doors thrown open wide, since the weather had cooperated with a lovely warm front moving in, as if even the weather wanted to celebrate with Nica and Gabe.She couldn’t remember the last time Shiloh Springs had seen a celebration quite like this one.
It had taken two full weeks for the antibiotics to completely knock out the infection that had plagued her surgical wound—an infection that had worsened during those terrifying hours when Julian Banner had taken her from the hospital.The memory still sent a chill down her spine, but she pushed it away.Tonight wasn’t for dwelling in the darkness.
Fortunately, she’d been rescued before Banner could do any more damage, thanks to Gabe and the friends and family who moved heaven and earth to find her.For the first two days after she’d been rescued, she’d been pretty much in and out of consciousness, but Gabe had filled her in on what they’d done, all the steps they took to find her.Banner had eventually cut a deal on the kidnapping charges, and while he’d probably do prison time, she had the feeling he’d be out early on good behavior.Add in the fact he was stinking rich, and he’d probably end up in one of those cushy white-collar prisons that were more like country clubs than correctional facilities.
A part of her—a small part—felt sorry for him.She understood the kind of pain that losing someone you loved could bring, and she knew that Melissa Carpenter’s death had broken something fundamental inside Banner.But sympathy only went so far.What he’d done to Gabe was inexcusable, and she wouldn’t shed any tears for whatever consequences he faced.
But tonight wasn’t a time to dwell on the past.Tonight was pure celebration—of her marriage to Gabe, of her recovery, and of her love for the man who had literally risked everything to protect her and keep her safe.True, they’d had their rocky moments, because her husband tried to shoulder all the guilt and responsibility for Banner’s actions, but she also knew the weight of his actions in California still ate at him.She knew he was still struggling to forgive himself for what happened, even though she’d told him a hundred times that it wasn’t his fault.Banner’s actions were his own, and his alone.
When her parents announced Nica and Gabe’s marriage, the town of Shiloh Springs was rocked to its foundation.Not only had they kept their wedding a secret—nobody knew they’d been dating—their relationship having blossomed into an everlasting love in a different city while she was in college.The revelation had proved to be quite the bombshell for the small Texas town.But nobody seemed to care about the surprise once they saw how happy she was.As far as Shiloh Springs was concerned, their precious Boudreau princess had found her prince, and that was all that mattered.
The newspaper had run an article explaining what had happened at the hospital and at Gracie’s Grounds, the fact that it had been an act, his meltdown at the board meeting and in the coffee shop a trap to catch the man who’d kidnapped Nica.Rafe corroborated his story, that the arrest had all been for show, to draw Julian Banner out so they could arrest him.But, he’d added that if Gabe didn’t make his sister happy, he might actually find himself behind bars.Fortunately, the people of Shiloh Springs were a forgiving bunch, and Gabe’s medical practice had returned to normal.In fact, it was growing by leaps and bounds.
Tonight was the big night.Her momma and daddy had thrown them the biggest party possible, just as they’d promised.Even though Ms.Patti and Nica had agreed to a small affair with only family and friends, somehow it had blossomed to one of the biggest celebrations the county had seen in years.The entire town had turned out to laugh, dance, sing, and celebrate life and love.The community center had been transformed into something magical, with flowers from every garden in town and enough food to feed an army.It was everything Nica had dreamed of and more.
She spotted Gabe making his way through the crowd toward her, two glasses of champagne balanced carefully in his hands.Even in the dim lighting, she could see the way his eyes sought hers, the way his face lit up when their gazes met.Her heart still fluttered every time she looked at him, just like it had that very first day they’d met.
“Mrs.Boudreau-Summers,” he said when he reached her, offering one of the champagne flutes with a smile that made her knees weak.“You look absolutely radiant tonight.”
“Dr.Summers,” she replied, accepting the glass and letting her fingers brush against his.“You clean up pretty well yourself.”
They moved slightly away from the crowd, finding a quieter corner where they could talk without shouting over the music and laughter.Gabe’s free hand found hers, their fingers intertwining naturally.
“I still can’t believe all of this,” she said, gesturing toward the partygoers with her champagne glass.“Sometimes I feel like I’m going to wake up and find out it’s all a dream.I’ve never been so happy.”
“If it is a dream, then I never want to wake up,” Gabe said softly, his thumb tracing gentle circles on her hand, before lifting it and placing a gentle kiss against her palm.“Nica, I love you more than I ever thought it was possible to love another person.These past few months…when I thought I might lose you…”
“Hey,” she interrupted, setting down her champagne and reaching up to cup his face with her free hand.“You didn’t lose me.You are never going to lose me.I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.Ever.”
“I should have protected you better.I should have—”
“Gabriel Summers, you listen to me,” she said firmly but gently.“What Julian Banner did was not your fault.You saved me.You and everyone who helped find me—you brought me home.That’s what matters.”
He leaned into her touch, his eyes closing briefly.“I love you so much, Nica.More than my own life.”
