reckon.” He walked forward and popped two tissues out of the small box on her bedside table, handing them to her. She dabbed at her eyes.
“Thank you.”
There was a knock at her door and the nurse who’d stepped out came back in with another person. “Hi, I’m Doctor Frasier. I understand you were looking for a guardian?”
Eden snorted. “No, I was looking for the people who came in with me, one of which is a Guardian.”
Frank grunted. “He’s next door. Works for Guardian Security.”
Doctor Frasier lifted an eyebrow. “I see. And the serial killer?”
“Killed last night after he took her hostage.” Frank crossed his arms and stared at the man. “Seems you don’t know much about what’s going on. Homework before knee jerk.”
Eden tried to snuff out the laugh from Frank’s gruff response, but it was impossible. The Doctor spun and looked at the nurse. “Words to live by in my book.”
The nurse, flushing from her toes to her hairline, followed him out of the room. Eden let the laugh she’d been suppressing out. “Mr. Marshall, you are the best.”
“Nah, just don’t suffer fools. I’ll get out of here and let you rest. If you need anything, you got our number out to the ranch.” He nodded and stepped out of the door.
She chuckled and closed her eyes. Her arm ached, but from what she remembered, the nurses in recovery said everything went well. When the doctor showed up for rounds, she’d find out when she could go home. Her thoughts stopped right there. Everything else swirling in her mind slammed into the back of that thought, but she couldn’t get past the blaring issue. She didn’t have a home anymore. The clinic was gone. Some broken 2x4 studs still stood around the exam table, but there was nothing else. Her possessions were easy to replace. Oh, God. Except for the pictures of her and Riley. She’d have to contact Riley’s parents to see if she could get copies of the ones they had.
A soft knock at the door drew her attention. “Ready for visitors?” Jeremiah stepped into the room holding a small paper bag. She reached out with her good arm, screw the IV. He was beside her in an instant and hugging her a moment later. The tears showed up again. It wasn’t because she was weak; rather, she was so relieved to see him, to hold him. His handsome face was the confirmation that they’d made it through the long, dark night. His big, hard body filled her arms while his presence healed her soul. He was her touchstone, the only stable place amongst the chaos that swirled around them.
Jeremiah held her until she pulled away. The smile on his face was tentative. “I hated not being able to be here when you went through surgery.”
She reached up and touched his face. “You’re here now, that’s all that matters. How is it? In the daylight, I mean?”
He sighed and shrugged. “Pretty much what it was in the dark. The clinic is gone. I walked through what was left this morning as the sun was coming up. I could follow the debris trail for about three hundred feet, which is where I found this.”
He lifted the paper bag and pulled out the frame holding her and Riley’s wedding picture. She reached for it, her hand shaking as she held it. Jeremiah cleared his throat. “I took the glass out, it shattered. Gen is in town with me. She’s taking her truck to the insurance agent’s office to give us some time alone. When I leave, I’ll find another frame for it.”
She placed it on her chest and closed her eyes, whispering, “Thank you for understanding.”
Jeremiah pushed her hair off her brow. “He was your first love. You’ll always have special feelings for him. I’m not jealous of your love for Riley. It doesn’t threaten what we have.”
She left the picture on her chest and reached up, placing her hand on his cheek. “It doesn’t and it never will. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Jeremiah leaned down to kiss her.
“I guess I should come back.” Zeke’s happy declaration made her laugh and Jeremiah groan.
“Dude, if you don’t quit interrupting my quality time with my woman, I’m going to start hating you again.” Jeremiah lifted but winked at her as he chastised the other man.
“Admit it, my timing is impeccable.” Zeke crossed the room and picked up her chart. “And you, young lady, have made a laughingstock of one