“The ambulance is on its way, and so are the police,” Mark told her.
“Thank you.” And the guy I thought was the craziest turned out to be my savior. Who would’ve thought it?
“Gage and I will take care of things here. Don’t worry about anything but getting better.”
She smiled at him—or she thought she did—and closed her eyes, hoping that when she woke up, this would all have been a horrible nightmare.
Ashley woke up to feathery kisses across her temple. The scent of leather, fresh air, and sunshine wrapped around her. Smokey! She tried to open her heavy lids, but it was too painful.
“Are you awake, darlin’?” His voice ran over her senses like a sea of warm honey.
Stabs of pain prevented her from opening her mouth. Instead, she put her hand on top of his.
“I rode as fast as I could, but I didn’t get there in time.” The anguish in his voice was hard to miss.
Shaking her head no, she squeezed his hand, feeling his soft lips lightly brush against her split ones.
“You’re going to be fine. I spoke to the doc, and he said you’ll be able to go home in about a week. Once you’re out, I’ll take care of you. When you’re stronger, we’ll ride this new trail I discovered in Telluride.”
She heard the tenderness in his voice, as well as the regret, and she loved him for it. She wanted to tell him that she loved him with all her heart, that she had found her home, and that it was safely in his arms. She loved Smokey with a fire that could never be extinguished, and it killed her that he was blaming himself for what happened to her. Once the pain subsided, Ashley would tell him how she felt.
“I missed you something terrible,” he said. “When Whitney called me, I hauled ass, but it was too late.”
Again, she shook her head no.
He chuckled. “All right, I get it.” He took both of her hands in his. “I want to tell you something I’ve been feeling for a while now.” He cleared his throat. “I love you, darlin’, and every time I see you, I want to hold you in my arms and never let go. You fill all the dark places in my heart. There’s no way I can imagine my life without you.” Small kisses peppered her hands.
Her body smiled all over. Slipping her hand from his, she pointed to herself, then to her heart, and then to him.
“Fuck, that’s awesome.”
Ashley felt his head against her shoulder, his warmth wrapping around her like a favorite blanket.
Smokey was home, and he loved her.
Even in pain, all was right again in her universe.
23
One month later
“So you’re not coming back?” Nicole said as disappointment laced her tone.
“No. My life is here with Smokey,” Ashley replied. “But we’ll still see each other. Denver isn’t that far, you know.”
“I know, but it won’t be the same. Is he taking good care of you?”
Ashley chuckled. “Like a mother hen.”
“I still can’t believe that Jared wanted to kill you. I almost went out with him.”
Ashley shuddered. “I’m glad you didn’t. You know, right from the start, I got a bad vibe from him. ”
“Your instincts were right. Only a psycho would follow you to Pinewood Springs for revenge. I still can’t wrap my head around it.”
“Me neither. He even legally changed his name so he could get the job at Blue’s Belly.”
“And you didn’t recognize him?” Nicole asked.
“When I first met him, there was something vaguely familiar about him, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. But he changed his appearance, and I hadn’t seen him in several years.”
“The whole thing gives me the shivers,” Nicole said.
“I’m just glad that it’s all over, but I feel awful for Jeffrey and Janice—they lost their son. I’m sure they hate my guts.”
“It wasn’t your fault. If that handyman hadn’t been there, you’d be the one dead, not Jared.”
A chill skittered down her spine. “I know,” she said softly.
She heard the sliding door open, and she looked over her shoulder. Seeing Smokey, her stomach fluttered. He’s so damn handsome.
He came over to her, bent down, and brushed his lips across her forehead. She gripped his forearm and squeezed.
“Can I call you back? Smokey just walked in.”
“Sure—no rush, though. Take care of yourself,” Nicole said.
“I will. Talk to you soon.”
Before Ashley could put the phone down, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately. Looping her arms around