Page 17 of Weston

“No, it’s not that. I’m just not used to it.” She didn’t believe him. He could tell by the doubtful expression on her face. “Ellie, let me be clear—you could shave your head and I’d still think you’re the most beautiful woman in the world.”

So much for being subtle. He couldn’t help it, though. Loving Ellie gave him life and purpose. She was his everything and hiding his true feelings wasn’t easy. But the last thing he wanted to do was scare her off, so he knew he had to reel it in.

“Oh, well, that’s—nice.” She sat down and Wes cursed himself for being too forward.

Take it slow,he warned himself. Otherwise, she’d be hopping in a fast car to stay at the nearest motel. Or worse, leave him and head back to Michigan. And he couldn’t let that happen.

Wes opened the pizza box and they each took a slice.

“Oh, this is so good,” Ellie said, chewing. Her eyes practically rolled back in her head and Wes watched her savor it. Hell, he couldn’t tear his eyes away for anything. Here they were again, together, enjoying the simple things like they always used to do. His heart swelled with gratitude.

Unable to hide his smile, his slice forgotten, he watched her take another big bite. An olive fell off and she picked it up and popped it into her mouth. “No olive left behind.”

It wasn’t the first time she’d said that and, right at that moment, his world seemed to start turning again. It had stopped the day he lost her, but now this crazy merry-go-round that was his life began to move again. Sure, it would be full of ups and downs, but now that he had Ellie back, he was ready for it all. For the first time in eighteen months, he was looking forward to living again.

After downing her first slice, she wiped her face and took a drink of bottled water. Then she cocked her head, studying him intently. “Can I start the inquisition?”

Wes chuckled. “Sure, but Brand had a good point about not flooding you with too much information right away. So the moment you start to look overwhelmed or distraught in any way, we stop. Okay?”

“Sure.” As she reached for a second piece of pizza, she asked, “What’s my full name?”

“Elizabeth Marie Wright Murphy.”

She mulled that over for a moment. “And are we both from Michigan?”

“Born and raised in the Mitten,” he confirmed. “Your family’s still all there.”

“What about your family?”

“You are my family,” he instantly responded, then amended his statement quickly so he didn’t sound like an obsessed clinger. “My mom passed away when I was fifteen and Dad followed her right before I started at U of M. She had cancer, he had a broken heart.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It was a long time ago, but thank you. Once we met, your family took me in.”

“I’m glad.” She gave him a small, shy smile. The one that always made his insides melt. “And we met at college?”

“Yeah, at a freshman mixer. You looked at me and smiled…and that was it. That one moment changed my life forever.” He cleared his throat. “We got engaged less than a year later and married before I left for the Navy.”

“The Navy?”

“I was a Navy SEAL until my injury forced me into early retirement.”

“What happened?” she asked in a low voice, eyes dipping to his prosthetic.

“Enemy fire. I got hit by a PKM which is a pretty gnarly Russian machine gun. They couldn’t save my leg below the knee.”

“Oh, God.”

“I was twenty-eight, laying there in my bed at Walter Reed, feeling sorry for myself when you marched into my room. You didn’t even hesitate, just pushed the tubes out of the way, kissed me on the lips and said, ‘We’re gonna be okay.’ I needed that so badly, and you knew it. During those early days, your strength carried us both through. Hell, the hospital staff nicknamed you the ‘long-haired admiral’.”

Ellie choked out a laugh, reached over and laid her hand on his arm. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Because of you.” He looked down at her delicate fingers on his skin, felt her warmth, and she quickly pulled her hand back, focusing on the pizza box between them. Trying not to be disappointed, knowing she needed time, he didn’t allow himself to reach for her like he so desperately wanted to do.

“I see how strong you are. You would’ve made it with or without me.”

“No, I wouldn’t have,” he stated softly. “You saved me.”

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