Page 67 of Beautifully Broken
"Yes, his injury slows him down a bit, but he also knows his limits. Plus, he has you to come home to now. He won't take unnecessary risks knowing that you're waiting for him here. He pinged me the last-known location for the hikers. On a good day, it would take him at least five hours to hike to their location. Who knows what the trails look like after that first storm, let alone the others that have rolled through in the past day."
"Raven babe, don't remind me that he was out there in another storm. That doesn't help ease my worries."
Raven laughs as I pretend to faint on the couch, being the overdramatic queen I am.
She flops down beside me and pats my hand before hugging me. "You know he was a SEAL. I'm pretty sure the man is part fish. He'll be fine. I can feel it in my bones."
"I hope you're right." I sigh as I lean into her side.
I don't remember falling asleep, but being cozied up with Raven and knowing my family is here to support me, my body is finally able to relax for the first time in what feels like days. The only reason I even wake is my phone ringing beside my head.
I jolt awake, tears filling my eyes when I see it's Talon calling.
"Talon! Oh my goddess. Are you okay?"
"Hi, baby. I'm a little banged up and dirty as fuck, but we're all good."
"You found them?" I whisper, afraid Talon will be able to hear the tears in my voice.
"I did. They were able to find a cave to shelter in. The woods are a wreck, though. It took a hell of a lot longer to navigate with all the downed trees and mudslides, not to mention the overflowing streams and creeks."
"Where are you now? I need to see you with my own eyes."
"We just made it to the trailhead. The couple is getting examined by EMS, then I can head out. Are you at your place? I can be there in half an hour."
"I am. My parents, Grandpa, and Raven are here. They kept me company while I was waiting to hear from you."
"That's good, baby. I'm glad you weren't alone while I was out here. How's everything with the dorms? How are your animals?"
"Everything's fine here. The shelter has been busy as all get-out, but that's to be expected in cases like this. We're trying to help as many animals as we can and provide the extra care they so desperately need right now."
"Of course you are. I'm sure you're doing an amazing job. I'm gonna lose you coming down the mountain, but I can't wait to see you."
"Same. Love you, Bear."
"Love you too, babe."
I disconnect the call, and turn to see my family and Raven smiling back at me.
"Oh, quit looking at me like that. Yes, I love him. No, that's not news to y'all, and I know, you told me he'd be fine." I roll my eyes dramatically atRaven, whose smirk looks eerily like Talon's. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to freshen up for my man."
Chapter 15
Talon
"Ash, I'm home." I'll never get tired of saying that as I walk into Ashley's—now our—apartment. He officially asked me to move in the day I came home from rescuing the stranded hikers after the bad storms, and my answer was a “fuck yes”.
Both of us realized our love was a once-in-a-lifetime kind and didn't want to be apart any longer. Not that what I shared with Declan wasn't love, but something about loving Ashley feels right deep in my bones. If there's one thing I learned from being a SEAL, it's to trust your gut, and mine knew Ash and I were meant to be.
At first, I felt as if I had all to gain and nothing to give, but Ashley reassured me that the way I care for him is more than enough for him. He knows my heart is true, and I'm all in because of the person he is. Not only that, but apparently, I'm a secret horse whisperer.
It was during one of my now-rare PTSD nightmare nights that I found myself out of the apartment and down in the barn. I could hear a horse was restless, so I decided to make sure everything was okay. I found the pretty mustang agitated, but after a minute of talking to her, she started to calm. Growing tired, I turned to go back to bed, but the horse started to get worked up again. Not wanting her to wake the other animals and Ashley, I joined her in her stall. She calmed down enough that we both lay down and were able to get some shuteye.
When Ashley found us the next morning, he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Apparently, my girl was not fond of humans and hardly anyone has been able to touch her, let alone in the capacity I was. Ashley had a theory that our souls had wounds the other recognized. We knew the other's hurt and vowed not to do any more harm to each other. It seemed a little hokey to meuntil the next human-shy horse and I hit it off like we’d been the best of buds our whole lives.
Now, not only do I spend my days in the woods I love protecting, along with the land and the animals, but I get to spend my free time with my love, taking care of the animals he loves. We're growing together and building something more beautiful every day, and I wouldn't want it any other way. Well, maybe a ring on his finger, but I plan on taking care of that soon enough.
Until the day he says I do, I'll treat Ashley like the queen he is, and love and care for him like nobody has before.
