Page 90 of Tacos & Toboggans
“If I still love you? Woman, if you ever question how much I love you, ask anyone in the ER about the man who came through those doors with you on that gurney. You’ll never question that love again.”
“I’m sorry for worrying you.” I glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s officially Christmas Eve. Do you think I’ll be out of here in time for the event at the park?”
“First, you have a scan in the morning that has to come back clear of any gut leaks, and if I had to guess, I’d say it will because you had one heck of an army doc stitch you up.”
“I’ll have to thank him,” I said with a smile.
“He’d like that, but you have some healing to do. If they release you, the only place you’re going is home to our bed, where said army doc will be your nurse.”
“Or you could climb into bed and hold me while we watch the livestream as Santa leaves Bells Pass to deliver presents.”
“We can do that, but I assure you, he brought mine early. I’m looking at her,” he said, leaning in to kiss my lips, oxygen tube in my nose and all. It was awkward in this position, but I promised myself I would make up for it once I was released. “Now, you need to listen to the doctor and get some sleep if you want to get out of here in the morning.”
My nod was slow. “I’m tired and my side hurts. I need another kiss.”
His laughter was soft as he leaned down and brushed his lips across mine. “This doctor has something better for your pain than a kiss, and he’s going to go get some for you.”
Smoothing my hand over his cheek, my eyes drifted closed. “Nothing is better for my pain than your kisses.”
As I dropped into dreamland, I was secure in knowing we’d always find a way to meet in the middle.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Holding the door open, I put my finger to my lips before I motioned my Secret Santa inside. “Major is out like a light, and I don’t want to wake him up yet.”
“Understandable,” Ivy said, setting her packages down on the floor. “He’s had a rough couple of days, but so have you. Are you sure you should be up?”
“I’m fine,” I promised, wincing a bit at the twinge in my side that said maybe I wasn’t. “When they released me yesterday, they said to be up and moving as much as possible so my intestines don’t slow, which would cause a bigger issue. Besides, he wouldn’t let me out of bed all night. I needed to stretch. He’s so tired from the events of the last few months that he needs the rest.”
“You guys are good?” Ivy asked, busying herself with the rolls and goodies she’d brought along.
“It was an unfortunate misunderstanding that escalated in a way neither of us expected. Being stabbed by a potential serial killer was not on my bingo card for the year.”
“Don’t imagine so,” Ivy said, leaning against the counter. “Last I heard, he was alive but not talking. However, the manifesto he’d written indicated he had plans for mass carnage. Not to mention, he outlined his previous crimes.”
“Gabe mentioned that yesterday when he came by. All I can say is that I'm glad I got in his way and that Cameron found me quickly enough for the police to track the guy down. Gabe feels terrible that they didn’t find the guy before he attacked again, but I reminded him that he did tell us not to go out alone, and I did it anyway. That’s on me. I’ll never take my personal security for granted again.”
“I doubt that man in there would allow it. I’ll be surprised if he lets you out of his sight for the next six months. When he walked into the waiting room to update us, he was,” she paused as though she had to search for the right word. “Gutted? Traumatized? I’m not sure there’s a word to describe it properly. That’s when we knew without a shadow of a doubt you were the Christmas couple for the year.”
“Has there ever been a rockier one?” I asked, tongue in cheek. “I feel like we’re the problem children for the gazebo. What’s worse is we can’t even go to the gazebo thanks to all of this, but I’m happy to be alive, so I won’t complain.”
“We’re all very happy you’re alive, too. Don’t ever do that to us again!” Rather than say more, she put her arms around me carefully and held me to her. “We’ve all had our problems as Christmas couples, but we get through them because the love is real and true. The same goes for you and Major. Becca and Cameron certainly didn’t have it easy, and maybe that’s why Cameron and Major have developed a fast friendship. Cameron was the only one able to reach Major enough to calm him when we were at the hospital. I believe there’s an affinity there in a shared experience.”
“I’m glad they like each other since we’ll be spending a ton of time together. Too bad we had to miss Cameron’s birthday celebration last night.”
“They didn’t have it,” Ivy said, her lips in a thin line. “Can’t say I blame him for insisting everyone stay home with their families. The farm has been closed since the incident, and Cameron is spending time with Becca and Hope for a few days.”
“They didn’t come by yesterday, and I know I need to call him, but I don’t know what to say.”
Ivy grimaced with a cluck of her tongue. “Major refused all visitors for the day, which was understandable. As for Cameron, consider telling him you love him. That’s all he needs to hear right now.”
“I’ll do that,” I nodded. “You should get home. I didn’t mean to drag you away from the kids and Shep.”
“You think Lucy and Bryce haven’t already opened all their presents and are currently playing like crazy while Shep lounges on the couch? Trust me, they won’t miss me for the few minutes I’m gone.” She motioned at the Christmas gift bag. “We weren’t sure what to do, but decided something was better than nothing, so we finished your gift for Major. If you don’t want to give it to him, that’s fine, but I knew you didn’t have anything else.”
“You finished it?” I asked, surprised, as she set it on the table so I could look inside. I lifted one out and trailed my finger across it. “They’re perfect.”
“I’m glad you think so,” she said, clapping once as she jumped. “Thankfully, you’d explained your plan for them, so it was mostly easy to do once we got the supplies.”
