Page 53 of Your Heart & Mine

"Because I love you, you impossible man," Harper whispered into his hair. "I know I didn't let you know that soon enough but it's always been true. And I'm not going anywhere. Let me help shoulder this burden."

Wyck clung to her, the fight gone out of him. "I don't want you wasting your life on a broken man," he confessed raggedly.

Harper took his tear-stained face between her hands, imploring him to believe her words. "Being with you could never be a waste, Wyck. You are still the man I love. I'm ready to do whatever we have to do to get you healed and better than new."

Something shifted behind Wyck's tortured grey eyes. He touched his forehead to hers, his warm breath mingling with hers. It was the first time he had initiated contact since he'd woken up in the hospital and caressed her hair.

"I'll try, Angel," he conceded hoarsely. "Don't give up on me, alright?"

Harper smiled through her own tears. "Never." It was only one fragile step, but she felt hope stirring again. Wyck was in there fighting, and she would be his unwavering ally. Together they would find their way.

True to his word, Wyck made an effort to stop pushing Harper away after that night. When she greeted him in the mornings now, instead of flinching from her touch, he leaned into her embrace. His rigid shoulders gradually relaxed as her arms encircled him.

He also stopped growling at her to leave him alone, instead saying things like "Your company would be nice" or "Stay for a while?" Harper learned to listen for the invitation beneath his gruff tone.

They were still finding their balance, and the harsh silences of earlier days transformed into a more comfortable quiet. Wyck would sit scanning news or brain exercises on his tablet while Harper read a book nearby. Simply having her close seemed to ease his internal storms.

Some afternoons, Wyck even asked her to join him outside. One sunny day as Harper walked slowly beside him, Wyck reached out to her with the hand that didn't hold his cane and took her hand lightly.

"Thank you for this, Angel," he said, glancing up at her with a small smile. "Sometimes the fresh air helps the headaches."

Harper's heart swelled at the simple contact, once so rare. She gave his fingers a gentle squeeze. "I'll come with you outside as often as you want."

It was a tenuous dance, but they were learning this new rhythm together. When pain and despair overwhelmed Wyck, Harper gave him space but stayed close, a reassuring presence. Little by little, he continued reaching for her rather than pulling away. Words weren't always needed - a touch or private glance conveying what he couldn't say.

One evening after dinner, Wyck stroked Harper's arm lightly as she cleared dishes. "Will you move back into the main bedroom? I've missed you there." His tone was hesitant but hopeful. "I know I haven't done much to make you feel that but…"

Harper leaned down and kissed his hair, relief coursing through her. "I'd love that. I've missed you, too."

That night as she curled up next to him with his still strong arms wrapped around her, Harper fought the tears that swam to the surface. There has been days when she thought she'd never be in this position again. Never feel the comfort just listening to his heartbeat thrumming under her ear gave her. She'd come so close to losing him forever but, right now, the world felt at peace again. Whatever came next, they would face it together.

Chapter forty-one

Surprises

Thoughhestillhaddark periods and searing migraine pain, Harper learned when to hold him and when to give him space. Bit by bit, signs of her old Wyck re-emerged - his ready laugh, the teasing gleam in his eye, arms wrapping her close while they watched movies at night.

One afternoon as the warmth of summer gave into the crispness of fall in the mountains, Harper arrived to find Wyck typing determinedly on his computer despite the tremors wracking his hands. His grin flashed when she appeared in the doorway.

"Are you up for a little drive?" Enthusiasm and mischief danced in his eyes.

"What are you up to, Wyck Alan Crockett?" She'd never been able to think of him as a Ward. He'd always be a Crockett to her.

Harper tried to sneak around behind him to see what he'd been working on, but he quickly shut the laptop before she could see.

Wyck twisted to look up at her, more alive and eager than she'd seen him since the accident. "No peeking. It's a surprise." His eyes held a hint of his old fervent passion.

Joy leapt in Harper's heart. She dropped into his lap and placed a quick kiss on his lips. "You know how much I love surprises," she snarked, but knew she'd put up with anything he wanted to do to keep this look on his face.

Wyck's arms encircled her, and she sighed into his kiss. Though they were sleeping in the same bed, these small intimacies had been few and far between and she craved them. For these precious moments, the world felt right again.

"Too soon Wyck nudged her up, eager to be off. They loaded into his SUV and drove across the valley, cool wind sweeping strands of hair across Harper's face as they started up Buck's Mountain.

She breathed in deeply enjoying the strong scent of pine and woodsmoke in the air. The passing scenery was breathtaking - crimson and gold forests edged by imposing rocky peaks as they snaked up the mountain. She realized how much she had missed fall in the mountains. It had always been her favorite time of year.

Wyck navigated the turns expertly, his muscle memory overcoming his lingering physical challenges. He shot her frequent glances, eyes alight. "Almost there, Angel."

Just when she thought the road must be going to run out, they rounded a bend, and the view opened up. Harper gasped as an imposing partially-built house came into view, all soaring windows and sweeping decks. It clung to the mountainside, overlooking the stunning vista of Elk Creek Valley.

---