Page 12 of Deadly Tiger's Single Dad Crush

I laugh. Then, it occurs to me that I’ve just walked out of the hospital with no notice. “Damn, I better call the hospital.”

“Well, no shit Sherlock.”

It’ll suck to try and explain my decision to leave hospital care, but I know I can’t avoid it. There’ll be hell to pay if they file a missing person’s report. Tina gestures a duffel bag next to the cooler. Inside are my clothes and my phone. My wallet is there, too. Basically, all of my personal effects from the hospital along with new clothes. I was so out of it, I don’t remember her taking them from me.“I’ll call on the way,” I say, “but get me home.”

It’s time to head home and talk to the woman I love.

Chapter Ten

Samantha

I can’t believe Daniel is here, standing in front of me, looking almost normal. I don’t know what to think or what to say. I just stand here like a dope, blocking his entrance into his own home.??

“Hello, Samantha.”?

I stare past him and see Tina smiling. “Well, I’ll let you two have your alone time. I’ve got the boys until tomorrow soooo…” she softly punches Daniel’s arm, “you’ll have plenty of time to talk.”?

I nod and try not to burst into tears like I’ve been doing on and off for the past day and a half. “Thank you, Tina,” Daniel says.?

“Hey, they’re my nephews. I love having those meatballs around.” She walks past me and I just stare in wonder as she gathers the boys. They get a very quick hug session with their dad and then, Tina walks them out to her car. I watch in shock and then look at the man who’s decidedly NOT on death’s door.?

Now, it’s just me and Daniel.?

And I can’t believe how good he looks. “How?”?

He smiles. “Tina told me that she promised you a miracle.”?

I laugh so I don’t cry. “Yeah, she did.”?

“Well, I’m not completely a hundred percent. You need to finish that miracle.”?

I roll my eyes and step aside for him to come into the house. “Come on, let’s just get you some dinner and ...”?

He grabs my hand and stays still. “Sam, please.”?

I look at him. “What?”?and then I break down. Dinner? Really? What am I trying to do, make things somehow normal? Make it seem like I didn’t almost lose him? “How?” I sob. “You were dying! How are you…”

“Come with me.”?

I have no idea what this man is talking about, but I know now that I can’t deny him anything because…

Because I love him. Completely. Seeing him in that hospital bed, it was the worst moment of my life. “Okay, lead on, my fearless leader,” I sniffle out the words. I feel pretty foolish. I’m aware this all seems so silly and romantic but trust me, there is nothing romantic about the thought that you are going to forever lose the one person in your life that makes you feel whole.

There’s nothing remotely meet-cute about walking into a hospital room and understanding that you love this person so much that you don’t think you can go on without them.?That’s particularly horrible when you’re certain the person is about to die.

And knowing you’d have to keep going no matter what because you love his kids like they’re your own and you couldn’t leave them.?

My eyes flash up to Daniel’s face and suddenly, I know. I understand.?

All his heartache and fear and loneliness. Everything he had to endure when Bridget died.?

“Daniel.”?

He just tugs me to him and kisses me. “Come on, my little zookeeper. I’ve got something to show you.”?

I cling to him, marveling at how healthy he looks when it was just a day ago that he seemed so, well, not healthy. We walk around to the back and across to the edge of the yard where the trees begin to thicken.??

And then the man begins to undress.?

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