Page 41 of Inevitable

Brady looked out the window of Claire’s hospital room and saw that the sun had almost set. He checked his watch and noticed it had been close to twenty-four hours since they walked into the damn mall, and in that short amount of time his life had completely changed.

Running his hand over his arm, he shook his head. That wasn’t completely accurate…the change had been coming. Last night’s events just solidified his feelings. Made them sharp and clear. Meeting her had allowed him to let out the metaphorical breath he’d been holding since his mama passed. In a way, he’d been waiting to see if God was going to bless him with someone who would stay by his side, or curse him and take that person away. Last night had answered it for him and he knew God was a benevolent force.

It had been rocky there for more than a minute when he thought that Claire had been taken from him, but it had all worked out. Which was good news because he would never survive losing her. Or really want to.

When he’d found out she’d pulled through surgery, he knew he’d been given the person he was going to keep, someone he could love forever.

Claire was the one he’d been waiting for.

She was his and he was hers. At least, that’s how it worked out in his mind. So exactly how did he express all that in a way she could understand, in a way that wouldn’t freak her the hell out?

He picked up her hand, pressed his mouth to her soft skin, and knew it was something he was going have to figure out. There was an inevitability to their union and all he had to do was convince her of that.

Looking down at her face, he grinned. “Get ready, darlin’, because I’m not going to hold anything back from here on out.”

When her eyes flickered open and she smiled, he felt everything in his world click right into place. “Hey.”

“Hey,” she croaked back. “How long was I out for?”

“About two hours. After they took you down for the MRI, you were exhausted.” He saw her eyes flick over to the window. “What?”

“You should go home and get some sleep. It’s probably late.”

“Nope. I’m staying here until I get to take you home.”

“I’d try and talk you out of it, but my brain feels real fuzzy and I don’t think I’d get enough thoughts together to make any sense.”

“Go back to sleep, and when you wake up, I’ll be here.” He felt her squeeze his hand and then watched a small smile light up her face.

“I like the sound of that,” she said quietly as her eyes closed.

“Good thing, because my face is the only one you’re ever going to wake up to.” He leaned back in the recliner and rested his head. He was going to make sure that Claire came home with him after she was released, and he was going to do everything he could to make sure she wanted to stay.

Everything.

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