“I overreacted.”
“No, you didn’t. It could have easily been something else.”
Brett looked down at his hands. “I asked Mary-Beth to let you know I was in the hospital. I was worried that you might be wondering where I’d gone.”
Hannah wanted to tell him it was all right, that he didn’t need to worry about her. “I tried calling you after Claire came home, but you must have been at the hospital by then.”
“I was about to call Fletcher Security when someone hit my truck. I don’t remember anything else until I woke up in the hospital.” He patted the edge of his bed. “Sit with me.”
Hannah moved onto the bed and held his hand. “The nurse should be here soon with your pain relief.”
Brett nodded and looked into her eyes. “I’m sorry, Hannah.”
“What for?”
“I was angry when I left your house. I wanted…I want to be part of your life. I acted like an idiot.”
“I’m the one who should apologize. On the way to the hospital, I realized that I love you. But I’ve been too caught up in what I thought I wanted to let you close.”
“Does that mean we can still be friends?”
Hannah’s heart pounded. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to be more than friends.”
Brett swallowed. “How much more?”
“As much as you can manage.”
He smiled, then groaned.
The curtain swished open and a nurse stepped into the cubicle. After saying hello to Hannah, she checked Brett’s chart. “Your sister said you need more pain relief. Where are you sore, Brett?”
“It’s mostly my ribs and my mouth.”
The nurse handed him two tablets. “These should help with your ribs. Your mouth is more tricky. The only advice I can give you is to not to smile so much.”
Brett clamped his lips together.
“That’s it.” The nurse’s lips twitched. “We’ll give you more pain relief during the night.” She handed him a cup of water and glanced at Hannah. “I’ll be back in five minutes to take Brett upstairs.”
Hannah nodded. “Thank you.”
After sending Brett another reassuring smile, the nurse left.
Brett looked into Hannah’s eyes. “I might need lots of pain relief when I go home.”
“For your broken ribs?”
“No. For when I’m driving between Bozeman and Pat’s ranch. I can’t be more than your friend if we don’t see each other.”
Hannah grinned. “You won’t be able to drive for at least a couple of weeks. I’ll have to travel to you.”
“Or I could come into town with Pat. I need to make the most of our time together before you leave for Vancouver.”
Hannah bit her bottom lip. “You won’t have to worry about that. I’ve decided to stay in Bozeman.”
“But it’s an amazing opportunity.”
“It is, but I have other opportunities I want to explore.”
