Page 77 of Wandering Souls

“Have a nice rest?”

She smiled and yawned. “Thank you. Who’s Grace?”

“My sister. She sounds so stressed. I’d almost say distressed. Work is getting to her and her daughter is having some issues.”

Abi laid a hand over his heart. “She needs you.”

“Maybe but this is my home, Abi. How’s the pain now?”

“A little better. I think the pain killers are kicking in.”

He brushed a piece of hair from her face. “Good, because if it didn’t improve, I was going to call your sister. She’s a doctor. She can help.”

“You can if it gets worse, okay?”

Her acceptance surprised him and he wondered exactly how much pain she was in. Ray kissed her forehead. “Deal. Why didn’t you call anyone, Abi? Damien would’ve been here in a flash.”

“I didn’t want to be a burden.”

“Oh honey, no one in their right mind would think that.” He tugged her to him and wrapped both arms around her. “I don’t.”

Her sad smile made his heart ache. “Thank you for coming to check on me.” She patted the sofa beside her and Bruce promptly appeared. “Will you stay?”

Ray nodded and put his forehead to hers. Staring into her eyes, he couldn’t think of anywhere else he’d want to be. “I’m all yours, Abi.”

Chapter Fifteen

Abi opened her eyesto find sunshine slanting through the gap in the curtains. She sat up, wondering how she got to bed. Bruce padded into the room, reminding her that Ray had stayed. Turning, she found the man lying on his side behind her, still asleep. Bruce chuffed softly.

“You need to go outside?”

The dog wagged his tail. Not wanting to wake Ray, Abi swung her legs to the side of the bed. Pushing the duvet off, she set her feet on the floor and waited for the pain to hit her. All she felt in her thigh was a dull ache. Relief tumbled through her. There was a point last night when she’d wondered if it would ever stop hurting.

Bruce nudged her knee with a wet nose, seemingly impatient.

“Okay.”

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