Page 120 of Love and Memories

Bella sniffed, and Travis lowered to the bed beside her. As soon as she was in his arms, her quiet sobs began. She still had so much hanging over her, but to hear that she was finally free was a huge weight lifted off all of them.

“It hurts to cry,” she whispered to him.

Travis gently tucked her body to his side. “I love you. You’re safe now.”

She still had a long recovery ahead, but there was a town filled with people who cared about her to help her along the way.

46

ISABELLA

Bella closed her eyes and rested her head in her hands as the truck bumped along the path leading to her cabin. It had been days since she’d been home. How could she have known to expect this gut-wrenching when passing the place where Gunner and Switch had attacked them?

Travis squeezed her other hand. “Are you okay?” His soft tone was completely different from the determined warrior who saved her life that day. He’d literally fought for her. He’d killed for her. He’d put himself between her and danger, all to save her.

He’d taken her burden and made it his own. She’d been torn up when she thought she killed Gunner, but Travis did the unthinkable to protect her.

“I’m okay. You?”

Travis glanced over at her, and a small grin lifted his cheeks before he turned back to the road ahead. “I’m great.”

“Great? Don’t you think that’s a stretch?” How could he be great when he was still grappling with what they went through?

“My girls are home safe. That’s all I want.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.

Okay. That was seriously sweet and made her heart melt.

Maybe Travis had a point. When he put it that way, they did have a lot to be grateful for today. Bella rubbed her hand over her belly, feeling the tiny hiccups of her baby–her safe, healthy baby.

“I’m glad I have you to help me remember to be optimistic.”

“Happy to be of service,” he said with a squeeze of her hand.

The cabin came into view, and her muscles relaxed on instinct.

“There’s a surprise for you inside,” Travis casually said.

Bella sat up straighter in her seat. “What is it?”

“A surprise. I just told you.”

Bella sighed. “I mean what’s the surprise?”

“You’ll have to see for yourself.”

As soon as he parked the truck, Travis jumped out and jogged around to her side. He helped her out and stood by her as she slowly made her way inside. It was a miracle her ribs weren’t broken, but the bruising made simple things like walking and laughing painful.

Travis opened the door and stepped aside so she could enter first. He was a master of surprises, and her heart could barely take the suspense.

Bella gasped as soon as she saw the living room—and instantly regretted it. Pain shot through her side, but it did nothing to distract her from the surprise.

Someone had decorated the entire place. Matching dark-wood end tables sat on either side of the couch with cream-colored lamps on top of them. A fluffy brown blanket was draped over the back of the couch, and two accent pillows sat on either side. A changing table was pushed against one wall with a diaper pail beside it.

“This is amazing!” Bella turned to Travis and covered her gaping mouth.

“That’s not all.” He took her hand and led her to the kitchen.

Two things sat on the counter with a pink bow on top of each. “What are those?”

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