Page 86 of Bleeding Hearts

As he steps off, he turns and notices me. His frown reverses, making his eyes light up. He struts toward me, flipping his cap backward before stopping. His thumb, rough and calloused, brushes against my skin as he lifts my chin, his kiss soft and warm on my lips.

The weight of it all becomes unbearable, and with a choked sob, I collapse into his embrace, tears streaming down my face. He wraps his strong arms around me and pulls me to his chest, moving us both out of the doorway and into the high-end apartment. The door clicks shut behind us, the sound echoing in the stillness of the living room as he guides me to the couch, the plush cushions sinking under our weight as he pulls me into his lap. He hugs me tightly, the comforting pressure of his hands on my back a welcome relief.

“I can’t believe you’re here.” The words come out in hiccupping gasps as I lay my head against his shoulder, feeling the steady beat of his heart.

“Believe it.” He kisses the top of my head. “I’ll have to go home in a few days. I’m gonna work a double, switching withone of the guys so I can make it back for Chad’s funeral. Then, I’m on vacation for a week. We can go somewhere if you want. All of us.”

“That sounds nice.” Tilting my head up, I drink in the sight of his handsome face, noticing the way the sunlight catches his hair. “We’ll probably have to go to Texas. Alicia and I want to take him home. Scatter his ashes along the creek bed he loved so much. Would that be okay? Would you mind going with us?”

“Not at all. I bet Mollie would love to see the ranch.”

Thinking of Mollie’s laughter echoing across the ranch, a warm smile spreads on my face. The scent of fresh hay and the sound of cattle lowing fills my mind. It’s not my favorite place to go, because I don’t enjoy the drama that comes with being around my parents. But I know Mollie and Kellie would probably enjoy being there and seeing all the animals they have. The boys always had fun splashing in the creek and exploring the land.

Nolan’s frown is back. “I need to tell you something.”

“What?” My stomach tightens, the stress from earlier returns. “Why do I get the feeling this isn’t great news?”

He looks into my eyes and drops a name. “Theodore Stewart.”

Lifting one eyebrow, I narrow my eyes at the sound of his name, indicating my curiosity about why he’s bringing him up now.

“He’s dead.”

I pull back to give him my full attention. “How do you know?”

A deep sigh escapes his lips as he rolls his neck. “I cut his body out of his vehicle yesterday afternoon. Four other cars were involved. Thankfully, no one else was killed or seriously injured. It’s already made the news, so I’m not sharing anything that hasn’t been made public.” He rubs his hand up and downmy back. “From what we can tell, he was trying to pass someone using the shoulder. Debris that had been removed from the road was there, obstructing his path. One of the main reasons you’re not supposed to drive on the shoulder. He was going ninety, according to the skid marks, hit the debris and lost control. Spun out and ended up under the trailer of a semi. One of the worst accidents I’ve come across, and I’ve seen some bad ones.”

“I saw the reports on the news. They said one car burst into flames.” Horror washes over my face, and I quickly cover my mouth. “Oh. Oh. Nolan. I know how hard those are for you. Hell, babe I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. I have this amazing sexy therapist who’s a great listener. She also has some unconventional ways to help me deal with the aftermath. Maybe tonight we can both lose ourselves in each other to get our minds off shit.” He pulls me toward him to kiss my lips.

A few minutes later, Alicia walks in carrying some empty boxes. “Want to get started?”

I slide off Nolan’s lap. “We are packing up his personal stuff. Things we’d like to keep. Do you mind helping?”

“You just tell me what to do.” Standing, he takes a box from Alicia. “What are you going to do with the other stuff?”

“Donate or sell it.” Alicia lets out a long, weary sigh. “I have no use for most of it. Too expensive for my taste.”

We spend the next several hours boxing his things up. It’s going to take us a few days to do it. Alicia suggested we hire someone to go through it once we grab want we want. Her boss knows someone. Of course he does.

A week later, we say our final goodbye at Chad’s memorial, the air heavy with grief and the scent of lilies. I was surprised when my parents came, since they knew we’d be flying to Texas the following day. I wonder if the guilt of never coming to New York to visit my brother when he was alive pushed them tocome this time. Jodi brought the boys. They flew up with Dillon and Alicia’s bosses, who insisted that Micheal come with them as well. Several of his coworkers and friends came to offer us condolences.

Once that was done, our entire family flew to Texas on a private jet. Once again provided to us by the Cristiano’s.

The following day, we spread Chad’s ashes along the creek bed, a favorite spot he often visited during his infrequent trips home. Everyone was there, including Nolan and the girls. I never understood how much I needed that man until he showed up in NYC and gathered me in his arms. His strength has been my lifeline. It’s funny how I always thought I didn’t need one, and now I can’t imagine my life without him.

Guess it’s time to make sure I never have to.

Chapter 40

Bethany

JULY

It’s been a week of ups and downs. The trip to Texas was better than I expected. The kids, all of them, loved the ranch. My dad even took Mollie and Kellie for a ride on his more gentle horses. We took the four wheelers out as a family to explore. Even camped out near the back pond just because we could.

Our flight landed thirty minutes ago. We just loaded the SUV and are getting ready to head home to our separate houses and that’s no longer what I want. Which is why once everyone is buckled, I look at our blended crew of misfits and say, “So what do you kids think about us all living in one home?”

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