Page 188 of Forgot to Tell You Something

I kiss his chin, more than happy to give the man whatever he wants. “You better. Charlotte and Mr. Auerback just left. They said they’ll call in a few days, but if you need anything to let them know.”

“I hope they were good to you.”

“They were. Both of them.” I settle against his chest again, feeling like I can finally breathe. “Charlotte told me about the position.”

“Your position?”

I nod, toying with the leads on his heart monitor. “That’s quite the illustrious role. She said it was one of your demands. I’m sorry I doubted you.”

“I know how it must have looked, but I always had your best interests at heart, Tally.”

“I finally get that. Sorry it took me so long.”

“It’s okay.”

“Good.” Here comes the big announcement. “While I appreciate being offered such a job, I’m going to have to turn it down.”

His eyes narrow in confusion. “Why?”

I bury my head in his chest, loving the smell that is intrinsically Owen. My Owen. “I have a couple of positions I want to explore, outside of cardiac nursing.”

“Tally, are you leaving Memorial?”

I meet his bewildered stare and nod.

“What positions? Another hospital?”

“No.”

“Okay, mysterious Sphinx. Talk.”

I trace along the planes of his face, hoping he can feel the emotion in every touch. “I love taking care of people. It’s what I do. But I’d like to focus on two specific people.”

“What are you saying?”

“I think you should take the position at Regent Hospital. Move back to Asheville and be close to your family.”

He stiffens beneath me as he struggles to sit up. “Tally, I’m not leaving you.”

I stroke his chest, calming him. “Who said anything about leaving me? I’m going with you, but not as a nurse. I want to spend the next few years as a wife and mother.”

He grabs my hand, pressing it against his lips. “You don’t want to see the world? Live the glamorous life?”

I shake my head. “Nah, I’m the punk chick, remember? Besides, I will see the world, with my husband, and our children.” His expression is so unreadable, I only hope I haven’t angered him with my decision. After all, he went through an enormous hassle to deliver that position on a silver platter. “Is that okay?”

A grin splits his face, and I have my answer. “Tally, that’s perfect.”

Epilogue

Tally

It took Owen a month to recover from the gunshot wound, although he was up and around our condo after only a few days.

When Dr. Stevens re-entered the halls of Memorial Hospital a month later, he was no longer a single man. Good to my word, we got our marriage certificate and were married ten days after the shooting. Now, he has a petite, sarcastic edged wife, who also waddles with the grace of a hippo.

My husband is a saint.

We’ve decided to stay in Florida until after our son is born, which pleases Stefani to no end. She claims to be throwing the biggest baby shower the world has ever seen.

---