Page 16 of Shadows of Recovery

Sophie smiled, relief washing over her. “That’s all I needed to hear. I want this, Tristan. I want us.”

Tristan’s face broke into a warm, genuine smile as he pulled her into his arms, holding her close. “I want us too, Sophie. More than anything.” He held her tightly. “Now I have a question. What will your powerhouse of a family think?” He shook his head in admiration. “I can’t believe I survived their hospital visit.”

Sophie laughed, squeezing his hand. “You did great. They liked you. I could tell. And they’ll be fine with it.”

Tristan smiled. “I’m glad. I really wanted to make a good impression. And I hope you’re right.”

“You did. You’re amazing,” Sophie assured him. “But what about your family? You haven’t told me much about them.”

Tristan leaned back, a thoughtful look on his face. “Well, you know I have two sisters and a brother, and we’re all doctors. My sisters, Amelia and Claire, are a cardiologist and an orthopedic surgeon, respectively. My brother, James, is a neurosurgeon. We grew up in New York City. My dad is a cardiologist and my mom a pediatrician.”

Sophie was clearly impressed. “Your family must have high expectations.”

“They do,” Tristan admitted. “Sometimes it’s a bit too much. It’s why I left New York. I wanted to lead a meaningful life, leave a legacy, not be someone who was just about the prestige or the money. It’s one of the reasons why I started the Blackwell Institute for Trauma Recovery.” He took a deep breath.

Sophie’s eyes softened, and she ran a finger down his cheek. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“After I graduated medical school, I enlisted and became an Army Ranger Regimental Physician in Afghanistan,” he shared.

“Wow, Mom and Dad didn’t like that, huh?” Sophie teased.

“Mom, my sisters, and my wife flipped out. My dad and my brother, they understood.” He looked pensive. “By then, I had the house in South Dakota. Mimi grew up here.” He looked up at the ceiling. “While I was in Kandahar, my wife, Mimi, was followed home one night and raped.”

Sophie adjusted her position to hold him against her, slipping her hand in his.

“She never told me. It wasn’t until…” His eyes squeezed shut and back open again as he rubbed his chest. “It wasn’t until my CO came to speak with me. Mimi’s best friend found her. She’d taken her life.” He looked into Sophie’s eyes. “I wish I could say I started the Institute for a noble cause. I started it because I never wanted anyone to go through that trauma alone.”

Sophie pressed her forehead to his. “I’m so sorry.” Tears dampened his cheek. Were they hers or his or both? “You should be proud of your accomplishments. The Institute fills a void in trauma care. You fill that void.”

Tristan shrugged. A flush of pink tinted his cheeks. “After I mourned and locked myself away for a month, I was watching a terrible movie on one of the streaming channels. A veteran was coming apart. I started talking to the television.”

He pushed free of her embrace and began to pace. “I forgot it was a movie. The character was hospitalized. And the doctors put him in a drugged stupor. I kept telling the TV doctor, as long as the vet was in a safe space and monitored, he didn’t need to be drugged like that. Then the reasons why—not enough staffing and expenses—occurred to me. I knew, with the right resources, I could do it better. And that’s how it began.

“My father supported me—emotionally, and he contributed a big chunk financially. He understood my vision. And I think he was happy I was functional again. The rest of my family wanted me to come back to New York City. But Mimi was from South Dakota. I fell in love with her and this area.” He exhaled heavily.

“Thank you for telling me how she died. And I’m sorry you lost her the way you did.” Sophie rested her head against his heart.

“You’re important to me. I don’t want secrets between us.” He ran his hand up and down her back. “I don’t want to hide what we have.”

Sophie leaned up, kissing him softly. “I don’t either.”

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, simply enjoying each other’s presence. The fire crackled in the hearth.

“I’d like to meet your family.” Sophie straddled his lap and kissed the tip of his nose.

“And I’d like you to.” His voice was filled with sincerity. “They’ll love you.”

“I hope so,” Sophie said with a hint of mischief. “It makes me feel closer to you.”

“Sophie,” Tristan laughed, his voice husky with desire as he gently cupped her face, his thumb tracing her cheekbone, “you’re such a wonderful blessing in my life.”

Her heart fluttered at his touch, a rush of heat flooding through her. “Tristan,” she breathed, her voice trembling with the intensity of her feelings. “I want us… I want you.”

His lips found hers in a kiss that was both tender and fierce, exuding passion and longing. She responded with equal fervor, her hands weaving through his hair as she pulled him closer. The kiss deepened, their tongues dancing together.

Slowly, Tristan’s hands traveled down her back, his touch igniting a fire wherever his fingers went. He paused, lifting his head to look into her eyes. “Are you sure?”

Sophie nodded, her eyes shining with certainty. “Yes, I’m sure.”

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