Page 64 of Annika's Aurora

“You found me,” she whispered, trying to snuggle deeper into his warmth, wondering if she would ever feel completely warm again.

“I found you.” He kissed her head. “I always will.”

“I was so scared,” she sobbed, the memories of her ordeal suddenly swamping her.

“I know.” He hugged her tighter as she cried into his chest. “Me too.”

“I was scared, and yet I knew. I knew you’d find me. Jamie,” she hiccupped. “Jamie told me you were coming.”

“He told me where to find you.”

Annika looked up at him, his dark chestnut eyes the most exquisite thing she’d ever seen, even better than the Aurora Borealis. “You finally started listening to him?”

He chuckled softly and kissed her temple. “Yes, I listened. He was very insistent.”

“That’s Jamie,” she stated, smiling as she remembered her stubborn brother. “I miss him, Logan.”

“Me too.”

At that moment, Annika’s parents walked into the room. Johanna cried, running to her daughter’s side. “Annika! You’re awake!”

“Mom. Daddy.” Logan moved off the bed to make room for her parents. Johanna took his place, enfolding Annika in her arms. Jansen went to the other side and hugged both his girls.

Johanna grabbed Annika’s face between her hands to study her. “You’re really okay?”

Annika knew what her mother meant. She was worried this would set Annika’s recovery from the overwhelming depression back. “Yes, Mom. I’m fine.” Whatever Johanna saw in her eyes must have convinced her. She dropped her hands to hold Annika’s injured ones.

“I’m so glad you are safe,” Johanna said as her eyes filled with tears.

“Oh, Mom, don’t cry. I’m fine. I’m alive and very happy to be here.” She looked around the hospital room. She hated hospitals. “Well, maybe nothere, exactly. Any idea when I can get out of here?”

“I’ll check on that,” Logan offered before walking out the door.

“That man is a blessing,” Johanna declared. “He never stopped. I’ve never seen anyone so driven. I still don’t think he’s had anything to eat. He wouldn’t rest until he found you. And it was such a herculean task since they didn’t know where to start looking.”

Annika remembered being worried about how he’d react. Worried he’d take the blame. “Did he … did he blame himself?”

Johanna sighed. “He never said, but I think deep down he felt guilty.”

“Probably one of the reasons why he worked so hard to find you,” Jansen reasoned. “He felt responsible.”

“God, Daddy. How do we get him to stop taking the blame for everything?”

“How do we get you to stop feeling guilty over Suzanna?” he countered.

“That’s different.”

Johanna squeezed her hands. “No, Sweetie, it’s not.”

Chapter 18

Itwasnight.Loganlayonthehospitalbed,Annikainhisarms.JansenhadtakenJohannahomesotheycouldgetsomesleep,butthenursesdidn’tevenbothertotrytokickhimoutwhenvisitinghoursended.Annikalaywithherheadonhischest,soundasleepasheabsentlyranhisstilltremblinghandthroughherhair.

The residual fear warred with the relief that was still surging through his system even now that he’d had a moment to unwind, hence the lingering trembling.Fuck, that had been too close.He’d nearly lost her. How many times was that going to happen to one person? His little Sunfire had suffered so much.

His other hand was holding one of hers, playing with her fingers. The white bandage caught his eye. He raised her hand and placed his lips on the bandage over her old scar. “Why didn’t you tell me?” he whispered. He had to know the story. Had to know what drove her to such a desperate act. Had to know if he was responsible for another one of her hurts.

“It was twelve years ago. I’d put it behind me,” she answered, startling him. He hadn’t known she was awake to hear his whispered question. Logan sensed that her answer wasn’t quite true. He also knew that wasn’t really why she didn’t tell him.

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