Page 40 of A Forbidden Spring
“What about Colorado?”
“He knew I wasn’t going, and the things he said… I’m so fucking sorry. I told him I’d buy out Mountain Side and resign. I just want you. I love you, Wren, and I’ll do everything I can to make it up to you, baby. I just need the chance.”
I open my mouth to respond as three people in scrubs walk into the room. “Welcome back, Miss Sterling. How are you feeling?”
“Everything hurts and I’m hungry.”
“Well, we can definitely help with both of those,” one of them says brightly, her warm smile putting me at ease. “Mr. Ellis, why don’t you go and take a walk, stretch your legs, while we get your girlfriend more comfortable?”
“Girlfriend, huh?” I manage as I lift an eyebrow.
“Yeah.” He nods. “Just wait till I make you my wife.”
His gaze is scorching as it rakes over me, and even though I know I’m an absolute disaster, I can’t help the way my body lights up.
He loves me.
“Merrick, I?—”
Giving me a single shake of his head, he meets my gaze. “Later.”
When he’s gone, the nurse grins. “For what it’s worth, he hasn’t left your side.”
Harlan had told me as much. Swallowing hard, I ask, “How’s the other driver?”
Pressing her lips into a thin line, she checks the monitor. “He’s all right. Texting while driving way the hell too fast.” She glances at me. “The officer’s words, not mine.”
It’s so much to process, and the lights seemingly brighten, making me yawn and then wince. “I’m so tired.”
“Rest now, sweetheart. Everything will be just fine.”
24
MERRICK
There are no words for the bone-deep relief I feel as I stagger into the hallway after hearing Wren’s voice, seeing her awake, alert, and okay.
They told us she’d be okay, but I needed to see it for myself.
“Whoa, big guy. Let’s sit down, okay?” her cousin, Reid, says as he takes my arm and guides me toward one of the chairs, his grip surprisingly strong for his stature. “Eat this.”
Handing me a protein bar and a bottle of water, he drops into the chair next to me.
“She’s awake.”
“Harlan told me.”
“I thought you’d be more excited.”
He chuckles. “I am. But that’s not what you need right now. Wren and I promised a long time ago that we’d die old and gray together, still going to happy hour and driving everyone crazy.”
“Sounds nice,” I muse and he smiles.
“It will be. And she knows I’d cart her around—Weekend at Bernie’sstyle—if she went before me.” He nods toward the unopened bar in my hand. “You need to eat. You might think you’ve won against Elora about bringing Wren back to your place with you, but that woman is still looking to pick a fight.”
“I just want her home.”
“And you think she has a home with you?” The question isn’t accusatory so much as it is inquisitive.
