Page 94 of Healed Hearts

“I do too, you know? Love you like that.”

His eyes widen, and his lips part slightly as he draws in a shaky breath. “I love you like that too.”

A smile lights up my face, my stomach doing acrobatics at the sweet tone of his voice and his admission. Trailing my fingers down his spine, I lean in to give him a soft kiss. When I pull back, he’s got a matching smile. “So, does this mean you’re going to stop apologizing to me, then?”

His cheeks flush. “No promises. I still feel terrible, even if you forgive me. I don’t… I don’t want fear running my life.”

“It’ll come in time, Hold. Don’t rush yourself.”

The sound of soft footsteps interrupts our conversation as Wren’s cheerful voice echoes down the hall. “Daaaaaaady. Hooooolden.”

The pure joy that spreads across Holden’s face as he jumps from the bed to grab her makes my heart soar. He throws the door open and within seconds he’s rushing back into the room, holding her like she’s an airplane, and he’s flying her around. Her little giggles are music to my ears.

He puts her in bed next to me, then climbs back in with us. I watch as he rolls to his side to face her. “Did you sleep well, pretty girl?”

“Yeah, in my tent.”

His eyes are dancing with happiness, a soft smile on his lips. “The tent is pretty cool, huh? Do you like it?”

She nods. “Yeah. Unka Ro got it for me.”

Well, maybe Beck hasn’t won her over after all. I chuckle. Poor guy. “Uncle Beck too,” Holden says, tapping her nose.

“I won hippos with Unka Beck,” she says proudly.

Holden grins at her. “You sure did, pretty girl. Did Uncle Beck teach you to cheat?”

She nods. “Yup.”

“What a bad influence,” Holden muses, dragging his eyes to mine.

My phone rings and I roll over to grab it, anxiety settling over me as I realize it’s the hospital calling. I show the screen to Holden and the smile drops off his face. I answer with shaky hands, putting it on speakerphone so Holden can hear too. “Hello?”

“Julian Foster?”

Holden reaches out to grab my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “That’s me.”

“This is Dr. Mays. We have some results about Wren. Can you please come in today at 10:00 a.m. to discuss?”

My stomach churns, but I force myself to stay calm. “Absolutely. We’ll be there.”

He hangs up without responding. I glance at Holden to see an angry fire burning in his eyes. “What a—” His voice cuts off abruptly as he glances at Wren, his expression softening just a bit. He clears his throat. “D-I-C-K.”

I can’t help the chuckle that comes out. His sense of humor and fiery spirit always seem to chill the ragged edges of my anxiety, and I’m so thankful for him. “You’re not wrong, but hopefully, he’s a D-I-C-K with good news.”

Holden sighs, sitting up to grab his own phone. He dials a number, putting the phone on speaker. A woman answers. “Hey, love. Are you okay?”

“Hey, Lydia.” Ahh, Beck’s mom. “Yeah, I’m okay. Are you working today?”

“I am, yes.”

“Can you take on a patient for me?”

There’s a pause on the line. Then, “Of course. Are you here, though? I didn’t think you were working today?”

Holden sighs. “I’m not. I, um… So, it’s… Ugh.”

“Well, spit it out, love.” I can hear the smile in her voice.

---