“Oh yeah? You like pine trees?”
“I love pine trees. They’re my favorite kind of tree. Right after apple. I love a big, juicy, tart, little apple tree.” She glances toward me. “Do you like apple trees?” There’s barely a pause for me to answer. “My head hurts. Are we going to the hospital?”
I land my hand on her thigh, though I keep my eyes on the road. “We’re going to the emergency center in town. I’m sorry your head hurts, my baby. We’ll be there as quick as possible.”
“Your hands are big.” She lifts my palm and drops it again on her lap. “I like big hands. Oh wait! You…”
My chest tightens as she glares at me. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before she remembers the secret from earlier. Hell, I hope she remembers so I don’t have to tell it again.
“Me?” I flick on the high beams as we turn on a dark passage of road. “What about me?”
“You and me…we were about to do it.”
I grin wide. “Yeah, we were. I didn’t want to stop touching you.”
“But you had to because my brother came.” Her voice is sounding less and less confused. “And… you told me you stole sixty grand from Blackrock.”
Well, that was fast.
I drag in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “If it’s any consolation, I’ve spent every day since trying to be a better person.”
She rubs her fingertips over her temple. “You’re not a bad person. You had a choice to make, and you did your best with it. Alice needed you, and you protected her. Plus,” she glances out the window then back towards me, “you paid it back. How many people would’ve done that?”
“It was still messed up.”
“Sure, but I wouldn’t tell anyone else. You’re a good guy. You’ve done a lot for Rugged Mountain. A lot for your sister. A lot for me.” She glances into the back seat. “Where’s Wyatt?”
“I took the truck and tore off. I assume he’s stuck at my place. Your car was buried in the back. It’s going to be a few days before we dig it out, I think.”
“That’s okay.” She leans over, stretching the seatbelt as far as it will go as she rests her head on my shoulder. “I was thinking I would stay with you for a while. I love you, Holden. I don’t want to do life without you.”
My heart warms and I squeeze her hand tighter. “I don’t want to do this without you either, sweet girl. You’re my everything.”
“And you’re mine.”
As the light for the emergency station comes into view, I hold on to my girl tighter than ever, hoping this moment is real, hoping it’ll last, hoping it’s not the concussion talking.
It’s a heavy prayer, I know. I’ve done a terrible thing, and truth is, I don’t deserve a sweet girl like Maya, but I’ll do whatever it takes, for however long it takes, to earn her love each and every day. No matter what life throws in our direction, I’ll be grateful for every bit of it as long as my baby is by my side.
Chapter Nine
Maya
I don’t know how long I’ve been asleep, but judging by the current positioning of the sun, I’d say it’s been about twelve hours, give or take an hour. I can’t believe the first night Holden and I got to sleep together, I spent it actually sleeping. Granted, I think I needed the rest. Last night was a shit show of epic proportions.
Reaching for my phone on the bedside table, I check the time. Ten in the morning. Yup, that’s about twelve hours!
The doctor said I was good to resume normal activity, but I think I’m going to skip all that in favor of laying here in bed with Holden all day. Before I roll over, I see a message from Alice that came in late last night.
Alice: Babe, I feel like this is all my fault. I’m on my way back for a visit. Don’t tell anyone about the pregnancy thing, okay? I’m not ready for all that yet. Love you.
That’s right… she’s pregnant! That’s the last thing I remember before the crash.Oh God!This is going to cause some drama!
Me: Of course! Can’t wait to see you. Love you, too.
Setting my phone back onto the counter, I consider sliding up to pee or jump in the shower. I want Holden to see me fresh and gorgeous, not whatever I look like right now after twelvehours sleep. Instead, I opt to turn toward him, blinking into the soft light filtering in through the curtains.
He looks so good lying there next to me, his massive frame shrinking everything I ever thought was big about myself.
