The Billionaire's Christmas Son - Leslie North Page 0,38

right?”

The details of the accident, he knew, didn’t really matter very much. What mattered the most was that Rachel and Scott were both all right. But Jonas needed to hear her say it.

She took a deep breath and squeezed his hand. “I came to an intersection.” Her brow furrowed as if she couldn’t quite remember. “It was too icy to stop, but the light turned red, and another car was there—”

“Yes.” He rubbed a thumb across the back of her hand. “I know that intersection.”

“I swerved to miss the other car and hit a lamppost,” Rachel finished. “Scott’s fine. The doctors have thoroughly checked him over. They say his car seat protected him. I’ve got—”

The doctor bustled into the room, clipboard in hand. “Ms. Alexander?”

“Yes, that’s me,” Rachel said, still holding on to his hand.

“I have the results of your X-ray, if you’d like me to go over them with you and your husband.”

Husband. Jonas realized the word had a nice ring to it. He waited for Rachel to correct the doctor. His heart flew like a bird.

“Go ahead,” she said softly.

“Your shoulder’s been badly wrenched, but there’s no fracture. There doesn’t seem to be any evidence of whiplash yet, but it’ll be important for both of you to keep on the lookout for signs of damage to the spine. If your neck starts to hurt more, then call me.” He rattled off more instructions, such as how she shouldn’t be left alone in case of a concussion, but Jonas could only focus on the warmth of her hand in his. “We should be able to get you discharged in the next couple of hours,” the doctor said, explaining everything. “Any questions?”

“No.” Rachel smiled. “Thank you all for taking care of me and my son.”

The doctor flashed her a smile. “No problem. Glad it all worked out well.” Then he was gone, leaving the three of them in the room together.

Jonas looked into Rachel’s eyes. Oh, they were beautiful, the blue so sky-like and ocean deep at the same time. He needed to correct the biggest mistake of his life. “Come stay with me,” he said, keeping his voice low. Scott stirred in the crib.

“I don’t know.” Rachel frowned. “I should get back—”

“Let me take care of you and Scott. You shouldn’t be alone with your injuries. Doctor’s orders,” he pointed out. “Please, Rachel. I want you to get well. If you want to leave when you feel better, you can. It’s only for as long as you want to stay.” Although forever was okay in his book.

“In your cabin or the lodge?” She hadn’t nixed the idea entirely, which was a good sign. So was the fact she still hadn’t let go of his hand.

“Which would you prefer? I can take the suite next to yours, or you can stay at my house. It’s up to you. Wherever you would feel more comfortable.” Anything she wanted was hers for the asking.

Jonas would feel more comfortable when she was sleeping safely in one of his properties. It didn’t matter which one. He’d come to her. He would never let her slip away again. This time had almost ended in disaster, and he couldn’t fathom it. Or rather—he could fathom it, and it made him more resolved than ever to keep her safe.

To keep them all safe.

Scott woke up in the crib, reaching for the side and pulling himself up, a cry on his lips. “Mama,” he said. “Mama, Mama.”

Rachel tried to sit up in the bed and failed. She grimaced, trying to put weight on her arm. “I just need a minute—”

Jonas went to the crib and picked Scott up, holding him tight. His son pressed his face against his shoulder and settled against Jonas, his face hot through the fabric of the shirt. He turned back to Rachel. “Come home with me,” he offered again, and Rachel lay back against the pillows, a certain relief in her face.

“Okay,” she said. “I think that’s for the best.”

16

Rachel’s shoulder hurt worse than she’d expected it to. It was a wrenching, bruising pain, and every time she moved, she was reminded of how reckless she’d been, driving away in a snowstorm like that. It didn’t matter if the accident was the other guy’s fault when he lost control of his vehicle because of the icy roads. If she’d been in the right frame of mind, she wouldn’t have been out on the roads. Period.

It felt equally as reckless to stay in Jonas’s