Chapter Fifteen
Jane stole aglance at Sully as he sat behind the wheel of his SUV, one hand braced on the wheel, the other clutching hers on the center console. The past few days had been bliss as they explored the depth of their physical relationship. Sully was recovering at a rapid pace, growing stronger by the day. His parents, who had visited several times since they arrived home, had invited them to dinner tonight. Home. She couldn’t really call Sully’s home hers, but it sure felt like it, even after such a short time. That had more to do with the man who lived there than the actual town house. Sully had become a sort of sanctuary for her. With him, there was joy and belonging. Stolen moments that turned normal days into something spectacular.
“Having second thoughts about resigning from Healing Hearts?” Sully stopped at the red light and looked over at her.
“No.” She shook her head and smiled, wanting to ease the concern on his face. “I made the right decision. I loved the people I got to meet and work with, but I’ve been growing tired of the travel for a while now. I don’t think I realized how isolating it had become until we met and after what happened, I can’t go back. I’m going to focus on prioritizing my hopes and dreams.”
“You know whatever those are, I want to help you make them a reality, right?” The light changed and Sully eased on the accelerator.
“I want a place to belong. When I leave for work in the morning, I want to know no matter how shitty the day is, at the end of it I have a safe haven to return to. I think I’ve learnedthat’s not really a place, but a person. You represent home for me, safety, acceptance, love. All of it. I know I’ve made mistakes in my life, but I won’t make one with you.”
Sully put his directional on and pulled onto a long gravel driveway. Instead of continuing to drive, he stopped along the side of the path, put the vehicle in park, and turned to her. “Come here, love.” He released his seat belt and angled his body toward her. “You have no idea what that means to me. Swear, baby, I will always be those things for you. You’ve been my strength, my protector, the person who makes every moment fucking magic. I will guard what we have with every fiber of my being.” His large palm slid under her hair to cup the back of her neck. Their gaze lingered for one heartbeat, then another before he pulled her into a kiss, deep and disorienting. When they pulled apart, she blinked, trying to regain her focus.
“I love you. Everything that’s happened in my life, I’d do it all again if it led to you.”
“No.” He shook his head and skimmed his thumb over her cheek. “I’d never want you to feel any of the pain. The rejection. The things that sometimes fill your eyes with shadows. Things I know you’ve yet to tell me. We’re meant for each other. I’d still find you, even if everything was different.”
She dropped her forehead to his, overcome by his words. She hated the little voice in her mind that whispered he couldn’t be real. This couldn’t be real. That what was building between them was likely to crumble when he learned all her secrets or when their relationship would fracture at the first sign of trouble. He moved back just enough to kiss her forehead, then gave her nose a playful pinch.
“This is going to work, Jane. I don’t expect you to take my word for it. I’m going to show you.”
Those words resonated deep in her soul as the truck rumbled to life. Dust kicked up beneath the tires as they drove up toa sprawling ranch-style home. Chickens roamed free on either side of the driveway, occasionally leaning down to peck at the grass.
She drew in a quick breath and turned to Sully. “There’s a horse.” It grazed lazily, its yellow tail, several shades lighter than its rich brown coat, swishing back and forth.
“That’s Peanut Butter. She was one of the first rescues Mom took in.” His eyes crinkled at the corners. “Damn, I love seeing you smile so huge.”
Sully parked just as the front door swung open and Kelly and John walked out onto the wraparound porch. His parents didn’t wait for them to get out of the vehicle before making their way down the front steps. In a gesture so much like one of his own, John gave his son a wave and rounded the car to the passenger side to open the door for her.
“Hi, darlin’.” He held out a hand and she took it as she slid down from the SUV.
“Thanks for the dinner invite. Looking at the horse and chickens would have been enough for me.” When her shoes hit the ground, she shaded her eyes and looked up at the strong, lined face of Sully’s father.
“If you like those, wait until my Kelly shows you the rest of the animals. I swear sometimes we live in a zoo, but I suppose we kind of do. Come on inside and I’ll grab you a drink,” he said, throwing an arm around her shoulders. “Sully can help me finish up with dinner while you two go explore the animals.”
To say she’d been surprised at Sully’s parents’ easy acceptance after how standoffish and suspicious she’d been in the hospital was an understatement, but they reassured her several times that they appreciated how protective she was of their son. Since they’d come back to Coronado, they made sure to tell her that they didn’t fault her for being extra cautious. They both seemed like good people, but she got along particularly wellwith John. It was hard not to given that he was so like his son. Kelly was sweet and warm, and it was easy to see that Sully had gotten his nurturing streak from her. His mother’s long blonde hair was braided down her back and jeans hugged her slim figure.
“Hey, honey.” Kelly pulled her into a sweat and lilac-scented hug. Stray pieces of hay clung to the woman’s tank top. “Sorry, I’ve been mucking out stalls most of the day. I promise to shower before dinner, but I’d love to show you the animals first if you’re up for it.”
“I’d love to see them.”
“Good. I could use a cold beer, but we have wine and soft drinks, too, if you’d prefer.”
They walked up to the house, and Jane could feel cool air flowing from the open front door. Inside, thick-planked wooden floors gleamed, and canvases of family photos hung on the walls. “Kitchen’s this way,” Kelly said giving her hand a squeeze and walking ahead of her through a sun-washed foyer.
Sully came up behind her and wrapped his arm around her waist. “You comfortable with my mom showing you around? She’s excited to introduce you to the rescues, but I can always come too. You can leave your bag here if you want.”
She slipped her purse off her shoulder and hung it on a row of hooks along the wall. “I know you’re feeling better, but I don’t want you to push it. I’ll be fine. Besides, I think your dad has plans to put you to work in the kitchen.”
“I’m just thankful my mom isn’t cooking,” he said loudly.
“I heard that,” Kelly called over her shoulder. “And I’ll remind you that you never starved while your father was on a mission.”
They entered the large kitchen, and John was standing with his arms around his wife, staring at her adoringly. “Yep,” he said shaking his head. “Made sure the house wasn’t far from severalsub shops, Chinese takeout, and within range of pizza delivery services.”
Kelly raised a brow to her husband. “I may have started a few kitchen fires in my day, but you didn’t marry me for my cooking, now did you?” She had to rise up on her tippy toes to kiss John’s chin and he gave her backside a playful swat as she sashayed toward the refrigerator.
Their open flirting made Jane’s heart expand. She’d never thought of marriage. Hell, she’d never even entertained a long-term commitment, but now that she’d found Sully all of that had changed. She could see herself with him years from now, still as smitten as his parents seemed to be with each other. How badly she wanted that. Something stable and real.
