Page 6 of Ultimate Freedom

Filled with happiness that cleaned out all the earlier yucky emotions of self-pity and fear, she closed her eyes. Before she could allow herself to slip into a restful sleep, she remembered the words she’d heard earlier from the other male she loved. One who needed a lot more from her than she’d so far allowed herself to give.

Having undergone such a close call, Demi understood one thing. She had to let go of those protective restraints she’d erected. Had to force herself to be vulnerable. Whit mattered… more than anyone else. He was her man, and she better let him know how much she cared. Life was too uncertain to let any more time slip away.

Having made the decision to share her feelings as soon as possible; with her fingers clinging to her sleeping wolf, she relaxed, and her eyes closed.

***

Whit had heard Demi’s words of love for Nito. Words he’d longed to hear himself. She treasured the wolf. And it was only right that she did. After the animal saved her life yet again, he also felt an enormous affection for the little bastard.

Selfishly, he longed to hear those same vows of affection too. Shaking his head at his vulnerability, almost ashamed for being envious of the wild animal, he waited before entering the room. Tiptoeing back to his chair, he watched over both his patients for the rest of the night.

Chapter Five

Demi began to feel better by the next day. As the medication wore off, and her strength returned, she demanded that she be able to stay on the couch rather than being an invalid, hidden away in her bedroom. To her annoyance, no one paid any attention.

When Glen heard about the shooting the night before, he’d rushed to the cabin to check on Demi before traveling back to the hospital to spend the night with Rudy.

Now home again, he’d forced Whit to go into his room for a well-needed rest while he carried a tray of breakfast to the invalid.

“Glen. Hi. I’m fine, stop fussing. Can you help Nito? I think he needs to go outside.”

“Sure.” Glen watched as the animal slowly limped to the living room. Following him to the outside door, he opened it, and saw the wolf slowly make his way to the trees in the distance.

Returning, Glen helped Demi lean back against the bunched-up pillows, placed the tray on her lap, and pulled the chair over by her side. “You just can’t stay out of trouble, can you? The minute I turn my back, you’re into the shit-pile again.”

Demi laughed weakly. “Then don’t turn your back.”

“Easy for you to say,” he grumbled. “It’s been crazy around this place lately… never a dull moment.”

“Yeah. Except it’s Christmas tomorrow, and I refuse to spoil it. Please help me get up and onto the couch. No way I’m spending my first Christmas in Alaska in a sick bed.”

“Jesus. You sound like Rudy. He wants out of the hospital so he can have Christmas with me. I told him he can’t come here now with you being hurt.”

“Why can’t he? If the doctor says it’s okay, he can sleep in your bed, and you can use the sofa for one night. Come on, Scrooge. It’s the season to be jolly.”

“Yeah. And you jolly well know that Whit won’t like it one bit… you overdoing yourself.”

“I won’t. I promise I’ll behave. You and Whit can cook the turkey and make dinner.”

“Me? Whit? Hell, Demi. We’d burn the place down.”

“Not with me instructing you. Come on. I’ll be comfy in Whit’s chair and Rudy can stay on the couch for the day.” As if she just thought of it, she added, “Maybe we can get Norrie and Lexie to come, and they can help.”

A movement at the door made them both turn.

“Just as I suspected. You’re both crazy.” Whit moved to the end of the bed to perch on the blankets before reaching for a piece of Demi’s toast.

Demi felt herself glow, seeing him so close. She reached out her hand and felt the warmth of his. Gripping tightly, she beseeched in her most cajoling voice, not something she’d ever done before. Amazed at how scary it felt, she hid her eyes and spoke softly. “I want this, Whit. Please.”

Glen’s head swiveled to Whit’s, and she peeked up to see a warning in his gaze. Then he spoke. “Demi wants her first Christmas in Alaska to be special.”

“Then if that’s what she wants, it’s what she’ll get.” Before they could react, he held up his hand. “But if at any time I see either of our patients overcome, we call a halt for a period of rest. Right?”

“Agreed.”

Getting her way, Whit carried her to the couch, and she made herself as comfy as possible. With a sling to support her shoulder, and pillows piled for her back, she rested easy. Between the two men following her commands, they fixed upthe rest of the Christmas decorations and even let her play her carols.

When Norrie and Lexie dropped by later in the day to check on her, she cajoled them into promising to come and share their Christmas dinner the next day.

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