Page 121 of Saddled in Secrets
“Why are you crying?” My throat is a coarse strip of sandpaper.
Her hand shakes when she offers me a spoonful of ice chips. “I’ve been so worried.”
Bricks weigh my limbs down onto the mattress, but I manage to turn slightly to see her clearer. The blanket she crocheted for me is sprawled over my immobile form to deliver another dose of comfort. A new hair tie is snug around my wrist to offset the hospital bracelet. I could almost be convinced this is my happy place. Damn, these drugs are potent.
My thoughts struggle to stay on track, drifting in several directions. But the woman beside me is an anchor.
I squeeze her palm. “Should’ve known I could never leave you.”
Bianca rests her forehead on my arm. A choked sob rattles her frame. I try to move my left arm to the back of her head, but there are too many tubes attached.
“Look at me,” I rasp.
Watery misery instantly collides with my effort to concentrate. “I love you, Stalker.”
“Fuck, baby girl. C’mere.” I try to beckon her into the fold, but it’s a weak attempt.
She straightens, but doesn’t move. A stubborn pout sticks out her bottom lip. “Can’t. You’re hurt.”
“Just a scratch,” I scoff.
As if to contradict me, there’s a knock on the door. A man in hospital scrubs pokes his head in. He gives me a warm grin as if we’re friends.
“Ah-ha, the rumors are true. I heard you returned to the land of the living. I’m sure your wife is relieved.” His gaze moves to the woman beside me as if there was any doubt who falsified this claim.
“My wife,” I croon at Bianca.
“Oh, ummm… about that.” Her face is the color of a tomato.
“She hasn’t left your room. You’re in very good care, Mr. Keller.” The man pats his chest. “My name is Dr. Trustworth. I had the honor of stitching you up. Good to see you awake and alert.”
“Thanks, Doc.” But my focus hasn’t strayed from Bianca.
She wrinkles her nose, glancing down at her outfit that’s covered in my blood. “I should probably shower.”
“You should probably kiss me.”
Her eyes skitter off mine to peek at the doctor still hovering. “I don’t want to dislodge anything. Besides, I haven’t brushed my teeth.”
“Do you honestly think I care about your breath right now? You’re more beautiful than ever, Mrs. Keller. Get over here.” After a jerk of my head, she humors me with a soft peck.
Dr. What’s-His-Face hums. “Yes, she’s positively glowing. That happens to expectant mothers.”
There’s a screech in my tired brain. “Care to repeat that?”
His jaw drops. “Please don’t tell me I spilled the beans.”
Bianca is hanging her head, muttering under her breath about letting the cat out of the bag.
“Princess?” I clench her hand tight in mine. “Are you…?”
“I should probably take another test,” she mumbles.
“Allow me to order that for you. It’s the least I can do.” The doctor gets typing on his tablet. “In the meantime, I want to know how you’re feeling, Colton.”
It’s difficult to move on from the idea that Bianca could be pregnant with our baby. But if answering a few questions gets me alone with her sooner, I’ll pay the tax. I don’t look away from my wife—legal or not.
“My cousin shot me in the gut. How do you think that feels?”
