Page 167 of His Big Bad Stick

There’s still a touch of that young man I met years ago.

That evil, mean, cruel asshole… who always had a certain look in his eyes.

Maybe I knew it all along. That we were meant to be together. Or at least we had feelings for each other.

Colver kisses me.

Dr. Whitney returns and gives Abrielle and the baby the nod of approval.

For good measure she lets us listen to the heartbeat.

The sound makes me cry. I reach for Colver and he’s right next to me. He hugs me. He holds me.

When we’re allowed to finally leave, he all but carries me through and out of the hospital.

Jess is with us. I’ve never seen her so emotional.

Outside the hospital, there’s a SUV waiting for Colver and I.

When he tells me what the general manager of the hockey team did, I’m in shock.

Jess has to drive home alone but not before I hug her tight and tell her I love her.

I don’t care.

This is my family now. My real family. The ones who show up when things go bad. The ones who don’t have to help but do anyway. It’s not about being blood related or anything like that. Family is about presence.

“Coffee lady, nicely done,” Colver says to her in a gruff voice.

“She scared the hell out of me, Colver,” Jess says.

That’s when Colver hugs Jess, giving her a chance to cry a little too.

Colver kisses the top of her head.

I wonder if I’m going to get jealous over this but I’m not. Not at all.

“I’ll make it up to you,” Colver says to Jess. “I have an idea. Keep your phone on and ready.”

“What does that mean?” Jess asks. “Are you going to ask Abrielle permission for a hall pass?”

“Hall pass?” Colver asks.

“Yeah. You know. A freebie. You get to go out and sleep with someone…”

“Thanks, Jess,” I call out.

“You both know I’m totally kidding, right? I’m just…”

“Drive safe,” Colver says. “I owe you, Jess. You saved my family. I’ll never forget that.”

Jess nods at Colver.

She’s got that look in her eyes too.

I could get mad but it’s impossible not to get a little turned on when Colver is talking to you like that. His deep, commanding voice. The size of him. The man possesses an aura. He always has. He always will.

We make sure Jess gets to her car safely and leaves.

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