Rock Me Faster (Licks of Leather #4) - Jenna Jacob Page 0,90

I asked her to help me maintain peace and serenity while learning to navigate my world with one hand. By the time I hobbled out of the bathroom, Ross was still on the phone, but I could tell by the tone of his voice, he wasn’t talking to Bernie anymore.

“I’ll see how she feels and let you know,” Ross stated and hung up.

“Who was that?”

“Burke. He and Sofia, along with those who didn’t already catch a flight home are meeting up for breakfast downstairs in an hour. He didn’t know you’d come back to the hotel.”

“Who left already?”

“Quinn checked out early this morning, to help Ava deal with the cancellation of our tour. Mick, Duke, and Darren flew out late last night. I guess Tori was a hot mess when she found out about the accident. Even hearing his voice didn’t stop her from crying. He couldn’t handle hearing her so distraught. I think the other two just wanted to go back to LA.”

“Poor Tori. I’m sure she’s glad Darren’s home so she can take care of him. Speaking of which, would you mind helping me take a shower and get dressed for breakfast?”

A crooked smile tugged his lips. “Are you asking me to get you naked?”

My cheeks caught fire, but I sent him a playful smirk. “Yeah. I just wish it was for something besides a painful shower.”

“You in pain?”

“Oh, yeah. I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck. But then…we were, right?”

“You don’t need a shower. I could barely fall asleep lying next to you last night because you smelled so good. I vote we get you dressed, get some food in your stomach and a pain pill. Then if you’re feeling up to it, I’ll help you with a shower or tuck you in for a nap.”

“Deal. Oh, can I call Dad and invite him to join us?”

“Burk’s taking care of that as we speak.”

Moving slowly and carefully to keep from jostling my arm, Ross helped me into a pair of yoga pants and an oversized tee. Then he sat behind me on the bed and gently brushed the tangles from my hair. By the time we stopped at Ross’s suite for him to shower, dress, and rebandage some of his wounds, everyone was waiting for us in the private dining room downstairs.

Dad glanced at Ross’s arm possessively banded around my waist and grinned. When I mouthed, thank you to him, he simply winked. Though I’d seen Burk’s and Sofia’s injuries yesterday, all the bruises and bandages that Ozzy, Mia, and Syd were sporting made me realize we were darn lucky to be alive.

“Bodhi has invited all of us to come visit the mountain,” Burk announced excitedly.

“When?” I asked, excited now, too.

“As soon as everyone’s healed up and can make the trip.” Dad grinned.

“I’m dying to see the place,” Ross began. “But I’m taking Harmony back to Chicago so I can set her up with the best orthopedic doctors and physical therapists in the city. As soon as they give their okay, we’ll be ready to make the trip.”

“Is that what you want?” Dad asked with a scowl.

Clearly, he didn’t find Ross’s caveman demeanor intriguing, but I sure did.

“Yes, without a doubt in my mind.”

“All right, then. I guess I should pack my things and head to the airport.” He nodded.

“Before you go, there’s something I’d like to give you, Bodhi,” Ross announced as he leaned forward and tugged an envelope from the back pocket of his jeans.

“What’s this?”

“Open it.” Ross smiled.

Curiosity spiked, I watched Dad tear the seal open and pull out a long piece of paper.

“Oh, hell, son. What have you done?” Dad gasped.

“It’s a cashier’s check…good anywhere in the world,” Ross murmured. “Pay the taxes on the mountain and use the rest for whatever you want or need.”

“B-but…there’s enough to pay the taxes and buy another mountain,” Dad stammered as tears filled his eyes. He shook his head and tried to thrust the check back into Ross’s hand. “I-I can’t accept this. It’s too much.”

“Please. Take it. No one can put a price on the way Harmony’s face lights up when she talks about home. I can practically see and feel the beauty of the mountain in her voice. Not to brag, sir, but that”—Ross nodded at the check—“doesn’t put a dent in my financial portfolio. And even if it did, I don’t care. I’d do anything to make sure Harmony, you, and the people of your community never lose your sacred mountain