Page 61 of The Flame of Carson
“And don’t you forget it either big boy.”Stacey added with the sweetest looking smile, but her eyes told a different story.
“Oh yes, I like her Gage.You better hang on to this one.”Celeste grinned, taking Stacey’s hand in her own.
“No problem there mom.I’m hanging on to her as long as she’ll have me.”Gage stated.
Tearfully Stacey reached her free hand out to him.“Ditto.”
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Stacey pushed Gage’swheelchair as she followed Celeste and Lewis out of the hospital.“So, are you two heading to the Jameson house or following me to mine?”
“Actually, Debbie suggested you two come by the house.Since it is Saturday, she said she would just have the whole team over.”Lewis answered.
“Ethan told me that if he and the others had to go so did Gage.”Celeste added.
“Then I guess we’re going to the Jameson house.”Gage sighed.
Stacey could only laugh and shake her head.She had gotten to know Debbie Jameson well over the years through Krista.She knew as Gage did, that if Mama Deb gave an order, you followed it, no questions asked.She stopped at Gage’s truck and Lewis stepped up to help Gage into the cab.Once he was in, Stacey pushed the wheelchair over to an orderly that was waiting.Celeste and Lewis headed for their rent-a-car and Stacey slipped behind the wheel.
“I can’t believe I’m having to use a damned cane for three weeks.”Gage grumbled as Stacey pulled away from the curb.
“Oh, quit being a baby.A cane sure beats crutches, a wheelchair, or a cast, right?”Stacey said, yet even she heard how flat her voice sounded.
Gage sighed, “I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry.”She said.“Gage, when Ethan told me...I honestly thought for a moment that I had lost you.It felt like my world had ended.”
“Stacey, baby, I’m here.It’s going to take the hounds of hell to take me away from you and even then, that may not work.I love you.I plan on us being together a long, long, time.”
“And I love you too Gage.I love you so much it hurts, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
They fell silent the rest of the drive to the Jameson house.As she drove, Gage was lost in his own thoughts.The other day had been a close call, which was for damned sure.He would talk to Ethan and the rest of his boys.It was time they stopped being two steps behind and get out in front.When they pulled up at the Jameson house, he saw that the rest of the team was already there.
“You need help getting out?”Stacey asked.
“Nah, I got it.”He answered with a small grin.Gage slid out of the truck and held himself up using the door, maneuvered the cane out from the back seat and in moments had his weight shifted and was closing the door.“See, told you, no biggie.”
“Alright showoff.”Stacey laughed, joining him.
Making their way up to the porch, the front door opened, and Debbie Jameson hurried out.Once Gage was up the porch steps and in front of her properly, she let out a relieved breath and just like his own mother had, wrapped her arms around Gage.Before they had moved to Austin, Ethan had warned the guys that once Ruby decided you were family, that was that.To her all the members of Alpha team were her boys and she had no issues treating them as such.
“I’m fine Mama Deb.I promise you I’m fine.”Gage assured her when she pulled back.
“Oh Gage, I know you boys can manage yourselves, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to worry when one of you gets hurt.”Debbie said, then faced Stacey.“Hello Stacey honey.”
“Hi Mama Deb.”Stacey grinned, hugging the older woman.
“Well, everyone is out back.”Debbie stated just as Celeste and Lewis pulled up.“You two head on out.”
Stacey and Gage made their way through the lovely Jameson home already decked out for Thanksgiving, which was only a little over a week away, towards the back yard.The moment they stepped onto the back deck; the delicious smells of steaks hit them both.Gage navigated down the deck stairs towards the large picnic table where everyone was seated except Nick and Danny who were at the grill.His teammates, Krista and Alora greeted him and Stacey.
“You look like crap buddy.”Tony teased.
“Let’s see you damned near get your ass blown off and see how good you look pretty boy.”Gage shot back.
“How are you feeling?”Alora asked, sliding Gage a beer.
