Page 37 of Healer's Call

“Well, it’s a good thing I’m not planning on staying here then,” Ava says.

“You’re leaving?” I ask in surprise, and she immediately looks guilty. It instantly clicks. “Are you going back with Sam and Wyatt?” When she doesn’t immediately say anything, I add, “It’s okay if you are, Ava.” Even though I’m panicking at the thought of being left here by myself, I’m not going to make her stay here if she wants to go back.

Ava glances at Sam and then back at me. “I was going to go back with them.”

I nod and force a smile. “That’s totally fine. Thanks for coming with me in the first place.” I look over just in time to see Sam try to hide a yawn. “You’re probably exhausted.”

“Wyatt’s on his way,” she says somewhat sleepily. “Sorry, it must be the traveling. I am toast.”

Somebody knocks on the door, and I open it, smiling when I see it’s Wyatt. He gets a tender expression on his face when he sees Sam. “Hey, my Sam, you look beat. Let’s get you to bed.”

“I’m not—” her words are cut off by a huge yawn.

“What were you saying?” he asks with a grin as he pulls her up. He wraps an arm around her and pulls her close. “We’ll see you ladies tomorrow.”

After they leave, Ava turns to me. “I won’t leave if you don’t want me to.”

I give her what I hope is a genuine smile. “I want you to do whatyouwant to do.” She looks undecided, so I add, “You don’t have to decide tonight. Why don’t you sleep on it?”

“Yeah.” With that, she says goodnight and leaves. I crash in bed a few minutes later and am asleep within minutes.

Chapter 19

Rose

The next few days pass in a blur of healing but also trying to fit in as much time with Sam and Wyatt before they leave. After three days, they head back. And while I’m sad, I’m so thankful for the time I got to spend with them. I didn’t realize how much I missed them. I didn’t actually watch them pull out because I didn’t want to be sad. So when Ava knocks on my door that evening, I stare at her in surprise. “Ava? What are you doing here?”

“Uh, I’m currently living here right now,” she says in typical Ava form.

“I thought you were going back.”

She shrugs. “I decided to stay.” She doesn’t look at me, but I’ve spent enough time with her to know her tells. She did it for me; I’m sure of it. I reach out and hug her tightly. “Thank you.”

Ava sighs. “You’re being dramatic.” I bite back my smile. “Anyway, Cade wants us to come to dinner at six.” Her face is projecting exactly what she thinks about that.

“You don’t have to go, Ava.”

I see the relief on her face. “Okay. I need to do some laundry; I’ll see you later.”

“See you.” I watch her go and wish she would open up to me, but she is a hard nut to crack. I try to make myself look presentable and then make my way over to Cade and Amber’s apartment. On the way, I prep myself for asking the question I want to ask. Tonight is the night; I feel it. I just have to be brave enough.

“Hey Rose,” Cade says when he opens the door for me. “Come on in.”

I follow him inside. “I feel terrible that I didn’t bring something,” I tell Amber as soon as I see her.

“Oh, don’t even worry about it,” she says graciously. After I wash my hands, I carry a bowl over to the table.

“What else can I do?” Before anybody says anything, I see Paige come into the kitchen. “Hi, Beautiful girl,” I tell her as I kneel on the floor. I’m rewarded with a big smile. “Can I get a hug?” I ask her softly, being sure to keep my distance from her so I don’t scare her. After a moment she comes to me and wraps her arms around me, and I’m pretty sure I melt into a puddle of goo. “Thank you! You give the best hugs!” She giggles and skips off.

“You have a way with kids,” Amber remarks.

I shrug. “She’s just really precious.”

Amber beams. “Thank you. I hope you’re hungry.”

"I am.” I feel myself getting nervous and try to remind myself it’s just dinner. Hopefully, Amber and Cade will carry most the conversation, and I can just nod and smile. “Thank you so much for having me over for dinner.”

“Thankyou,”Amber says after settling Paige into a seat. “Thank you for all you’re doing for our pack, for all you did for me.”

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