“I hardly remember…”
“There’s a sheriff outside, too…” Her face is cast in worry. “I think he wants to speak to you.”
“It’s okay.” I grab her hand where it rests beside mine. “He’s one of the good ones,” I assure her.
She nods and smiles softly. Her hair is more gray than the last time I saw her, but it’s still long. She likes to keep it braided down her back, and some of the front wisps have surpassed gray and turned white. But her face is as youthful as it’s always been. The lines forged from stress can’t dictate her beauty.
“You finally got the girl, huh?” She smiles softly at me, squeezing my fingers delicately.
“Yeah. I guess I did. Now, I just have to keep her.”
“I don’t think that will be a problem. Well, maybe if you stop dying,” she scolds, tipping her head to look at me sternly. It only makes me smile.
“I’m sorry, I haven’t visited in a while. I’ve been…”
“It’s okay. You’ve made a good life for yourself. I’m glad you’re happy.”
“I’m happier now,” I tell her softly, tipping my head to look at Olive again.
“You always were so smitten with her. Does she know about your dad?”
My eyes snap back to her. “No. She doesn’t.”
She nods, sensing my reluctance. “Okay, let me go get your nurse. I want them to make sure you’re alright.” She pats the top of my hand before she lets go.
“I’m so proud of you, Jensen. I always have been.”
The door shuts behind her, and I take the deepest breath that I can manage, which still feels overwhelmingly shallow.
Chapter Fifty-Two
Liv
“Iknow you’re awake, dove.”
A soft whimper escapes me, and my shoulders heave as I let out the cry I’ve been trying to keep hidden. Hearing his voice for the first time sent waves of relief over me, and I’m too raw to hold it back.
“Come here, baby. I can’t move,” he groans as if he were attempting to anyway.
I roll to the edge of the couch and sit up, letting the blanket fall. He looks so broken and fragile… But he’s alive.
Another burst of sadness escapes me, and I can’t contain the tears streaming down my cheeks as I jump up and bury my face in his neck. “I was so scared,” I cry, hiccuping against the valley of his collarbone.
“I’m sorry, baby. I’m so sorry,” he murmurs against my head. His lips brush my forehead, and I lean into his kiss, needing to feel him.
His bandaged arms come around me, and he holds me gently, but the weight of it is heavy after almost losing him.
“Are you okay?” He asks, and for the first time in days, I smile.
“You’re the one in a hospital bed. I should be asking you that.”
“Olive. Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” He asks again, ignoring my remark as his eyes search my neck.
“He didn’t hurt me. Seeing what he did to you nearly killed me… But he didn’t hurt me.” A regular large bandage is all the evidence I have of what happened. On the outside at least.
Jensen’s entire body relaxes as he takes a breath, wincing slightly as he does.
“Is he?”
