Page 81 of When You Saved Me

Climbing out of my truck, I had to put my shit aside and make sure Casper was okay. My footsteps were heavy as I trudged through the remaining bits of snow and up the steps to the porch. My shaking hand hovered above the doorknob. I didn’t want to go in there alone. I didn’t want to hear the silence knowing that Charlie might never come back to me—even when she did wake up. She might choose to stay far, far away.

It was the consequence of my actions. A fate I would have to deal with if she wanted it. Still, I couldn’t bear the thought of it.

Letting loose a long exhale, I finally opened the door and stepped inside.

Casper’s little feet ticked across the floor as he bounded toward me. Heat assaulted my eyes when I saw him and his sweet little face. He let out a long meow in greeting as he stood and placed his front paws on my pant leg.

Kneeling, I scooped him up. “Hey, little rascal.” He bumped his head into my chin and started purring. “I know, I know, I missed you too.”

His little white face pulled away and he looked over my shoulder. I knew exactly who he was looking for. It made my chest burn. “She’s okay, buddy. She’s just resting right now, but I promise she’ll be back soon.” I hoped it was a promise that wouldn’t fall flat. I hoped with all of the broken pieces of my heart that her brain would heal, and she’d make her way back to us.

Holding him close, I inhaled deeply. There was a faint scent of Charlie’s signature vanilla on his coat from when she’d cuddled him yesterday morning. It made me long for her warmth even more.

Setting him down, he followed me into the kitchen where his food and water bowl was under the island. He still had plenty of water, but the food was empty. Grabbing the bag from the pantry, I filled it to the brim, and he went to town. “That’s it.” I stroked his back. “Make sure you eat it all and I’ll give you some more.” His head popped up for just a moment as he blinked slowly at me. Then, he dove his face back into the food.

I had to wait until he was done before heading back to the hospital, so I could give him some more to have for dinner. Walking into the living room, I stopped at the back of the couch. Images of all the nights we’d shared together in front of the fireplace whirled through my mind.

Her laughter had brought so much life to the space. And her touch had brought so much life tome. I wanted her back in my arms. Fuck. Ineededto feel her again. Needed to know that she would still want me after everything that happened. That I hadn’t ruined the only good thing in my life.

Letting my head drop low, I closed my eyes. I was so damn tired from the adrenaline surge and my mind unwilling to stop thinking. But I knew sleep would evade me, even if I tried. The only way I could get some shut eye was back at the hospital by her side.

Glancing over my shoulder, Casper was still mowing down on his food. When I looked forward again, my gaze settled on the door leading to the garage. I walked over to it and opened it, the woodsy smell of sawdust and raw wood creeped into my nostrils.

More images of Charlie enter my mind. Mostly of how excited she’d been to see my work and all the questions she’d asked, wanting to know the story behind each piece.

I moved through the space, feeling the void in my chestin her absence. It had taken the threat of her being taken away for me to realize just how badly I needed her.

I hated that.

I hated that it took her being in a near-fatal accident for me to let my walls fall. To know that by having her by my side, I could face my past and everything that came with it.

I wished I could turn back time and make things right, but I couldn’t.

All I had was the future and I was damn sure going to make the best of it.

Heading toward the back of the garage, I saw the half-finished bench she’d fallen in love with. There was no part of me that saw a point in finishing it, knowing I was going to be alone for the rest of my life. But when she came in here and I saw her bright blue eyes glow with excitement, I knew some part of me had made that bench for her—forus.

It was just waiting. For her to come along and turn my world upside down. To show me everything I’d been missing.

After running a hand over the seat of the bench, I smacked it against my pant leg. Dust flew everywhere, but there was a thread of hope that blossomed in my chest as I took in the vine and orchid details I’d carved into the back well over a year ago.

It was Charlie’s favorite piece, and I had all the energy to burn. When she woke up—and I knew she would—I wanted her to have something to come home to. A gift to show her how much she meant to me.

And most of all, to tell her that I’d finally found someone to sit on the bench with me.

She was my woman. The one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with…if she’d have me.

Grabbing my whittling tools off the work bench, I made sure my phone was turned all the way up and then got to work.

Chapter 29

Deacon

The heart monitor beeped consistently next to Charlie’s bed. Two more days had passed since the accident, and I knew I was going to have to call her parents tomorrow if she didn’t wake up by then. I’d been putting it off, not wanting the first time I talked to them to include delivering the news that their daughter was officially in a coma.

They’d hate me.

And I couldn’t start out our relationship like that.

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