her head on his chest. He didn’t smell like himself, but she didn’t care. She simply wanted to be close to him. She prayed as she lay there that he would wake up, that they could have a future together. She quietly sang to him, “I’m forever your-ours … faithfully.” Silent tears slid down her face as she contemplated a future without him. She was finally free of Ramon and that was a relief, but all she cared about was being with Aster and Dax.
Aster had blurry visions of Chelsea and he kept hearing Dax telling him he was a “big guy” but he couldn’t fight free of the fog surrounding him. He wanted to wake up and hold them both close. It seemed the fight was over and he’d somehow missed the conclusion. Were Chelsea and Dax still in danger? Had he been taken out by the bullets and Ramon had stolen them away?
He fought to come out of the fog for what felt like hours. A body pressed against his. A sweet smell of springtime and lilacs had him thinking of Chelsea. The warm person felt like a lifeline and he could’ve sworn they were singing offkey. But why wasn’t the body moving? Fear seeped in stronger than the fog. Was Chelsea injured? Where was Dax?
“Chelsea!” he forced the word out and as he did he finally felt himself coming to and was able to peel open his eyes.
The body next to him stirred and sat up. “Aster?”
It was her—her off-key singing voice, her beautiful face, her dark, expressive eyes. He blinked up at her. “You’re okay? Is Dax?” the words were slurred and he hoped she could understand him. His mouth was so dry and he felt completely out of it but all that mattered were her and Dax.
She smiled softly and cupped his face with her hand. “You protected Dax and you standing up and yelling at Ramon that he couldn’t take me gave Devon and Sheriff Greenwood the chance to take them all out.” She frowned. “Sadly not before you got riddled with bullets.”
“R-riddled?” he questioned, searching his body for pain but maybe he was on a morphine drip because he felt uncomfortable and stiff but he didn’t sense the sharp pain he’d heard a gunshot produced.
“You had bullets in your shoulder, your abdomen, and your arm. Luckily the abdomen missed anything vital but you bled too much, and they’ve been keeping you sedated to let you heal.”
“How long have I been out?”
“Four days.”
His eyes widened.
She got off the bed and grabbed a glass of ice chips, helping him spoon some in. The icy coolness felt good going down his throat. “I’d better page the nurses.”
He caught her hand and said, “Before you do, can I tell you something?” He was feeling stronger and more clear, but still exhausted.
“Sure.” She smiled down at him, tucking a stray curl behind her ear.
“I would do anything for you and Dax. I love you.”
She smiled sweetly. “You made that more than evident in the way you protected and stood up for us with Ramon.”
He scowled. “Is he dead?”
“Yes.” She nodded and leaned closer. “And I’m free to do what I want to do.”
“What’s that?” he asked, hoping it had something to do with him.
“Just be with you.”
His heart seemed to skip a beat. He tugged her closer. She came easily and placed a soft kiss on his mouth. He wanted more, much more but he needed to get out of this hospital bed, and brush his teeth first.
“I don’t care where, Aster.” She looked almost shy as she said, “You said you’d take it slow for me, you’d wait for me, but you took bullets for me and you dove on top of my son to protect him. And I know I can trust you and … I love you.”
Aster’s face hurt he was smiling so big. “I love you.” He kissed her tenderly again. “So you’re okay with me being a billionaire and living in Jackson?”
“Everybody has their faults.” She kept a straight face and then burst out laughing.
He joined in her laughter but then he sobered. “I’m not okay with you cleaning houses.”
“Really?” She straightened and put her hands on her hips. “What right do you have to tell me what to do?”
He smiled. “Well I’m hoping as your husband I can gently suggest—”
“Husband?” Her eyes widened and she put a hand to her heart.
“I don’t want to jump ahead but as soon as they release