Page 16 of The "I Do" Do-Over

“I’ll get him,” the paramedic says, leaving me alone with the doctor, the nurse, and my terror that I’m way out of line.

Boone

My jaw drops when one of the paramedics finds me as the search around the ski lodge wraps up to tell me that my wife — mywife— is asking for me.

I grab the paramedic by the elbow. “You’re sure?” I demand. “Taryn wants me?”

The woman nods. “She’s getting Life Flighted to the city hospital, but she says she won’t go without you.” She must see how the blood drains from my face because she continues quickly. “Don’t worry, none of her injuries are particularly life-threatening. The doc just wants her to have a whole hospital’s arsenal of care, just in case.”

She’s okay. This is all just in case, I repeat to myself as I stow my snowmobile at the lodge and let the paramedic lead me to the ambulance, carrying me to the woman who’s asking for me.

When Taryn asks, I’ll never turn away.

But I need to make sure what she’s asking for and what I want are the same thing. I love the woman, but I can’t let her crush my heart again. I won’t.

I’m all hers if she wants me — as a husband. As a lover. As a life partner. Hell, even as a friend.

But I won’t let her use me when she’s hurt and afraid, then toss me aside when she’s better.

My belly’s tied up in knots by the time the paramedic parks the ambulance outside the medical clinic. I rush in and, with the help of the girl at the front desk, make my way to Tayrn’s room.

When I step through the door and see the look of stark relief on Taryn’s face, I know right away — things truly have changed for her. What she said up on the mountain wasn’t delirium at all. It was real.

It wasreal.

My heart swells so damn big.

I close the space between us in two powerful strides and seize her shoulders, searching her face. “I heard you want your husband?”

Her hands creep up my arms to rest on my chest, as if they’re shielding my heart. “If he still wants to be my husband,” she says in a voice choked with tears.

“He always has,” I say fiercely, pressing my forehead to hers. “And he always will.”

“I’m so sorry, Boone,” she says, caressing my cheek. “It’s unfair to ask you for a do-over. I fucked up so badly.”

“It’s okay,” I say, even though so much of itwasn’tokay. But if our separation is what she needed so we could be together now, it was worth it. “We’ve got the rest of our lives to make up for what we’ve missed. That’s practically forever.”

She’s sobbing now, but also smiling through her tears. “Forever?”

“Forever. AnI dodo-over.” I say with a wink, kissing her forehead, loving how she leans into my touch. “Let’s start with getting you healed.”

I turn to Doc Pierce. “You’re Life Flighting her to the city hospital?”

He nods. “I suspect she’s dealing with a concussion, and possibly a few broken bones. They have the equipment to help her best.”

“Got it.” I feel Taryn slip her hand into mine. I face her, amazed and grateful at how much has changed in such a short time. “Are you ready for this?”

Her face is pale and tear-streaked, but her chin is lifted and her eyes shine with love and determination. “With you at my side, I’m ready for anything.”

I can’t help it. I won’t wait one second longer. Gently, I take my wife in my arms and, right there in the exam room, kiss her like I’ve ached to do since we got married seven years ago.

She grabs fists of my jacket and pulls me closer, making my body hum with happiness, and it feels like we’re sealing our vows all over again.

Epilogue

Taryn

One year later

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