Page 94 of Rescuing Ryder

She closed her eyes, relishing the feel of his lips on hers and his hand wrapped possessively around her neck. When she opened them, her insecurities melted away as she saw the promise in his eyes. Ryder vowed to slay her monsters and her doubts and show her love was worth fighting for.

Two weeks later,Ryder rolled the wheelchair into her hospital room. “I can walk all by myself,” Claire informed him testily.

“Doc’s orders and we know you always follow the rules,” Ryder quipped as he helped her transfer to the chair.

“Did Chase give you the discharge papers?”

“Yep,” he told her. “He said they’ll stop in tomorrow and bring meals. I gave him a list of your favorites.”

Claire eyed him suspiciously. “What are my favorites?”

“Chicken pot pie, steak and potato, and the seafood dish Maddie makes,” he responded.

“Those aren’t my favorites; they’re yours,” she laughed as Ryder placed a blanket over her legs and pushed her through the hall.

It took forever as residents and staff lined the hallway to congratulate her release.

Ryder helped her inside the car and buckled his precious cargo in, before running for the driver’s side. He held her hand and gazed into her eyes, feeling incredibly lucky to have her by his side.

“Claire Bear, let’s go home,” he murmured, kissing her hand.

Claire smiled in return. “Did the electrician come?” she asked.

“Yes. Matthew installed the outdoor cameras,” Ryder assured her.

“What about the inside ones?” Claire asked.

“I didn’t install them. Since I’m staying in Serenity, I thought you won’t need the cameras.”

Claire sighed nervously.

“I know you’re still scared. We’ll navigate this together,” Ryder assured as they pulled onto her street.

Pulling into the driveway, he helped her from the car.

“You didn’t say anything,” Claire uttered.

“About what?” Ryder asked gruffly.

“You always say something about the abomination.” Claire rolled her eyes.

“I decided not to complain. As long as you’re there, I’ll learn to love it.” He kissed her nose.

Leading her into the living room, he settled her on the couch and turned on the fireplace. “How about a cup of hot chocolate?”

“It sounds great. Can I see the therapy schedule and the hospital instructions?”

Ryder handed her one of his books from the book collection Tex shipped to her house. “I folded it inside.”

Claire pulled the papers from the cover when a picture floated into her lap. She stared at it and smiled. Opening the list of instructions, she read through all of them, making notations in the margins. When she turned the last page, the only thing written was ‘Choose me.’

Claire’s breath caught in her throat as Ryder knelt before her, holding a blue box.

“Not too long ago, I sat in my apartment and tried to pull the trigger to end a life I lost a long time ago. Something made me search for a reason. When I flew to Serenity, I didn’t realize I made my first choice. Now, I know you’re my reason to wake up every day and to make good choices. Even on my bad days, I will always choose a life with you. Will you marry me?”

Claire cupped his cheeks and kissed him. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

He sat beside her and pulled the ring from the box. “This seems a bit unorthodox, but the band’s made from the bullet I put in the chamber. One single bullet to end it all. The blue-green stone is Amazonite. It means the stone of hope. It’s what you’ve given me. I’m giving you the bullet because you rescued me, Claire. I’ll always choose us.”

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