She squeezed it. “Taylor?”
“Dot arrested him. He won’t be going anywhere but gaol,” Brandon said. “He confessed to the sabotage; he slit the brake line.” Anger flitted over his face before he hid it.
They’d found the culprit, but it didn’t bring Bill and Beth back. “I’m sorry.”
“Dot said he’s already pointing the finger at the guy who broke into the house. I hope with the police focusing on Stonefish, they’ll stop bothering us now.”
Amy shifted, wanting to sit up.
“What do you need?” Brandon asked.
“A hug.”
He gently wrapped his arms around her, and she inhaled his musky smell. “It’s over.” She let go and winced as she shifted into a more comfortable position.
Brandon growled. “I’m not letting you out of my sight ever again.”
Her body warmed at the sentiment. “That’s going to be hard from the army.”
“I’m going to ask to be released early. I might get it on compassionate grounds, but if not, I still want you to be at the Ridge when I return.”
Her heart fluttered.
His thumb rubbed the back of her hand. “I’ve fallen in love with you, Amy. I want to share my home and my family with you.”
Her mouth dropped open. Perhaps the drugs were making her hear things she wanted to hear. “Say that again?”
He smiled. “I love you. I want to marry you and share my life with you.”
Her chest swelled. He was giving her everything she ever wanted. “Are you sure?”
“Never been more sure of anything in my life.” He hesitated. “I know it’s fast, so you could move in first. We don’t have to marry immediately.”
The emotion made it difficult to speak. His love and fear was clear on his face. She swallowed and took a deep breath. “I love you, Brandon. I would love to marry you and share your home and your family.”
“It’s our home,” he murmured. “Our family. Always.”
Chapter 17
Amy waited impatiently in the reception area for Brandon to pick her up from the hospital the next morning. Though she was still sore, the hospital environment reminded her too much of when her mother had been injured. She would recover far quicker in the comforting surroundings of the Ridge.
He drove her car into the carpark and love filled her as he strode across to her. His eyes lit up. “What are you doing out here?”
“Waiting for you.” She kissed him and pulled him out of the building, waving goodbye to the receptionist.
He chuckled. “Slow down, Ames.” At the car he stopped her and took both of her hands. “There’s something I have to tell you.”
Concern zinged along her skin. Had he changed his mind about the proposal? Had something else gone wrong overnight? “What is it?”
He sighed. “When you were in surgery, Sam asked me whether you had any family we should call.”
Her stomach sank. Did she want to hear this?
“I mentioned you were Arthur’s sister and Sam called him.”
Every muscle in her body tightened and she winced at the pain in her side. She didn’t want to know the answer, but she gazed into Brandon’s stormy eyes and asked, “What did he say?”
Brandon squeezed her hands. “He wants to visit you.”
