Page 78 of Maverick

Wrench came barreling in the door and interrupted the question I was going to ask. He came right over to me. “Is she okay? Where is she? What’s happening?”

I placed my hand on his shoulder and looked him in the eye. “She’s in surgery right now. Was out when we found her, but was breathing. Orion helped lead us to her.”

He sighed and eyed Joker. “You must be the famous Joker, huh?”

Joker nodded. “I am. Nice to meet you...”

“Wrench. Willow’s adopted, big brother.”

They both smiled and shook hands. I cleared my throat and looked at the two of them. “Well, since both of Willow’s adopted big brothers are here. I want to marry Willow. I want her to live with me and have my babies and grow old together. I guess what I’m trying to say is...I would like both of your permission to ask for Willow’s hand in marriage.”

Wrench wrapped me in a big hug. “Of course, Brother! Just don’t make her cry again or I’ll kill you.”

Joker smiled and extended his hand toward me. I accepted and we shook. He squeezed a little hard, but I just smiled. “You’ve got my permission as well, Maverick.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Willow

Loud snoring burstthrough my peaceful slumber. I slowly opened my eyes and looked around. I was surrounded by wires and monitors, lying in a hospital bed. It was dark, but the lights from the machines and the hallway slightly illuminated the room.

Three pine green walls were in front of me. Behind me, the wall was covered with beautiful pieces of wood. The whole room felt so homey and comfortable.

As I turned my neck, a sharp pain shot through me. I moaned and pressed the small red button next to me. The machine pumped more pain medicine through the IV. Within a few minutes, I started to feel relief.

I tried to look around to find the source of the snoring. In the corner, a large man was sprawled out in an armchair. I squinted my eyes to try and make out who it was when a whimpering came from the floor.

Looking down, I saw Orion laying on a blanket next to me. Whispering I tried to call out to him. “Orion,it’s me. You’re okay boy. Just a bad dream.”

His ears perked up and his big eyes started to open. Orion picked his head up and looked around. When he looked up, he saw me and started to wag his tail. He was so excited his whole body started to shake.

Orion jumped up on the bed and started to lick my face. “Easy, boy! I’m okay! Oh, Orion, I miss you so much.”

The man in the corner started to wake and I carefully sat up. The man stretched and I instantly knew who it was; Maverick.

He opened his gorgeous green eyes and they locked right on me. Maverick quickly got up and was at my side in an instant.

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