“One day it will be.”
Gabe looked from Natalie to her mom. “Are you ready?”
Kathleen pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket and rushed ahead to unlock the door.
For some reason, Gabe had gone over their arrival like a general rallying his troops. As long as her mom didn’t push the wrong code into the alarm pad, they’d be fine.
“All clear,” Kathleen yelled from the doorway.
Natalie had taken only a few painful steps when Gabe swept her into his arms. “Hey. This wasn’t part of the plan.”
“It is now.”
“You’ll hurt your back.”
The only reply she got was a grunt.
“I told you I’m heavy,” she muttered. “If you slip a disc, you won’t be able to sit at your desk and finish your book.”
“You’re not that heavy.” Gabe climbed one stair at a time. “Are you okay? I’m not hurting you, am I?”
“The only thing you’re hurting is my pride.”
“Bring Natalie in here,” her mom said as she disappeared inside. “The sofa will make a nice resting place while I tidy her room.”
“My bedroom’s fine, mom.”
“It won’t take long. A tidy house is a tidy mind.”
The rumble of laughter coming from Gabe’s chest was good to hear.
“It’s all right for you,” she whispered. “You’re living on the other side of the cottage.”
Gabe gently placed her on the sofa. “Lucky me.”
She wasn’t sure what he meant and, in all honesty, she was too exhausted to ask. The journey home had tired her more than she thought it would. Every bump in the road had jarred her arm and her leg had throbbed something fierce.
“Stay here. I’ll get the table out of the truck.”
Natalie leaned against the cushions her mom had rearranged. The doctor had discharged her from the hospital on one condition. When she wasn’t moving she had to keep her right arm elevated.
On the way to the cottage, they’d stopped at the general store. Her mom had bought a small, high table that she could use to elevate her arm.
She looked around the living room. The tension in her shoulders unraveled, her mind relaxed, and she managed to smile without too much pain.
Her mom bustled out of Natalie’s bedroom. “Your room is ready. Where’s Gabe?”
“He’s bringing the table inside.”
“Can I get you a cup of tea or coffee?”
Natalie shook her head. “It’s okay mom. Sit down and relax.”
“I’ll sit as soon as I’ve brought our bags inside.” A smile lit her face. “It looks like we’ve got a visitor.”
Sherlock padded into the living room, his brown eyes looking at Natalie and then her mom. From the moment he’d seen her sitting inside Gabe’s truck, he’d been super quiet.
“It’s okay, boy,” Natalie said softly. “I’m not going anywhere.”
