I tightened my hold around her, still trying to be mindful,before drawing back just enough to meet her eyes. Tears clung to her dark lashes as my own vision blurred.
My lips pressed gently against hers, like I was sealing the words just spoken between us, and I felt her hands curl around my neck. We parted only a moment later as she tried to catch her breath.
“Shit, baby girl,” I choked out. “I’m sorry. Sit back.” I gently helped ease her back to rest against the cushions. My hand stayed gripped in hers as I watched her take a few deep breaths and let them out slowly. “This is why I didn’t want to say any of this in the hospital.”
She tearfully chuckled, wincing slightly with the movement. “A part of me thought when you said we needed to talk…I thought you were going to tell me it was over.”
“Over?” I shook my head. “No, baby girl. Not evenclose. We’re just getting started.”
Chapter 36
I madesure Haley was resting and relaxed her first day home from the hospital.
I gave her her pain meds as needed and made sure she drank fluids. Between her short naps, I checked that she did her breathing exercises. I cooked her dinner. And Maverick didn’t leave her side; he either lay on the couch with her when I wasn’t there or settled right next to her on the floor.
That first night brought me little rest because I watched over her, wanting to ensure she was okay and as comfortable as possible.
The next morning, as if she could feel the clock ticking in her veins, Haley’s eyes brightened when, exactly forty-eight hours after the chest tube was removed, she asked to shower.
I steadied her as she slowly walked into my bathroom, then turned the shower handle, waiting until the water was warm. As she carefully undressed, I opened a small package. “Here, I grabbed some Tegaderm to go over your incision to keep it covered.”
I placed the transparent film over the small bandaged incision to ensure it stayed dry, securing it in place.
Afterward, I helped her step carefully over the shower threshold, steadying her by the waist. As the first stream of hot water washed over her, a deep, shuddering sigh escaped her lips—part relief, part quiet gratitude. “This is the best thing ever.”
I chuckled from where I stood on the other side of the glass door, observing her every move. Then, I made a split-second decision to join her.
When I slipped behind her in the shower a few moments later, she turned and looked at me, a small smile ghosting her lips. “What are you doing?”
“Helping you. Tip your head back.” Haley kept her eyes on me as she tilted her head just enough so her hair was beneath the spray, soaking it thoroughly. “Now, turn around.”
She turned, putting her back to me. For a moment, I just stood there, overwhelmed. Her presence, even in its vulnerability, was magnetic.
On the other side of that tenderness, I found myself appreciating the view, but I kept myself in check and did nothing more than look.
This moment was a true lesson in self-control.
I grabbed the shampoo, putting a generous amount in my hands, and then gently massaged it into her scalp. She let out a quiet sound, and I smiled softly. “You okay?”
“Mhmm,” she hummed before turning to face me. She reached out, resting her hands against my chest for support as I massaged her scalp. She tilted her head down, giving me better access to the nape of her neck. “I could get used to this.”
I smiled. “I’ll do it anytime you want.”
“Even when I’m healed and can do it myself?”
“Even then.”
“We can just have more fun with it later.”
A chuckle escaped me. “Like I’ve said before. You’re trouble, baby girl.”
“You love it.”
“Correction. I loveyou.”
Haley looked up at me, eyes bright with a fierce tenderness, her gaze soft. Her voice trembled as she whispered, “I love you, too.”
The next evening, after confirming with Haley that she was feeling up to it, Wes, Morgan, Lucas, Callie, and Gabe all came by to see her. Callie and Lucas brought dinner for everyone from Harbor House Diner.
