Jethro lifted her. “Okay, but stay on this side and don’t move too much.” He lifted the white blanket and settled Trudy inside. “No moving.”
“M’kay,” Trudy said, curling her knees into Gemma’s good side and patting her chin. “You were asleep for a long time.”
Oh. That was why Trudy was out of bed. A closer look confirmed that the girl’s cheeks were pink and her blue eyes bright. In addition, her hair was in neat braids, and it looked like there was sparkly marker on her nose. “How are you feeling?”
“Good,” Trudy said. “Rot-co wants to come see you, but they won’t let him.” Her frown conveyed all that was wrong in her world.
Gemma slid her arm around her child and tugged her closer, into the part of her rib cage that wasn’t awakening with pain. “How long have I been out?”
“Three days,” Jethro said, lines of exhaustion extending from his eyes. “The longest three days of my life. You awoke earlier this afternoon and then went right back to sleep, but that wasa good thing.”
Trudy nodded. “We’ve been waitin’ for you to wake up again. You slow.”
“Hey. They have fresh cookies downstairs.” Clarence Wolfe suddenly filled the entire doorway. He paused, his brows rising. “You’re finally awake.” His voice softened. “How are you feeling?”
She smoothed her baby’s soft cheek. “A little groggy but grateful to be alive.”
Wolfe grinned. “Yeah. The Brit has some moves.”
Trudy sat up. “Canna go get cookies?”
Gemma wanted to hold her there forever, but it sounded like her daughter had been waiting all day for her to wake up. “Sure.”
Wolfe strode over and deftly lifted Trudy from the bed, making her squeal with laughter. He settled her securely on his shoulders, where she held on to his chin as if she’d done so several times before. “I’m glad you’re awake, Gemma. Now maybe we can get the professor to go home and get some sleep. The guy hasn’t left your side.” He turned and made sure Trudy ducked before they walked through the doorway.
Gemma turned her head. With his angled face and sharp jawline, Jethro Hanson had always been handsome. But with his fresh bruises and injuries, he looked like a badass operative. “Is Fletcher still after me?”
“No.” Jethro scooted closer and settled the blankets more securely around her body. “He’s not a problem any longer.”
Her heart hurt for him. Even though it had been justified, having to kill his own brother must weigh on him.“I’m so sorry.”
He leaned in and kissed her nose. “I’m not. He threatened what’s mine.”
Amusement tickled through her. “Yours?”
“Yeah.” He set his chin on her good shoulder, his eyes a burning blue. “I can be polite and smooth, but we’re beyond that. I’m making a claim, Gemma Falls.”
Her entire body warmed and her lips curved right into a smile. Was it possible to love a man this much? Her heart all but swelled. “What exactly does your claim entitle you to?”
“Well, how about a future? You, Trudy, and me?” He smoothed her hair away from her eyes. “I already talked to Serena, and she’s more than happy to build another house in the cul-de-sac and sell me the one we’ve been living in.”
Gemma’s breath hitched. “She’s safe?”
“Seems to be, although she said she’s not coming home for a while.” Jethro’s left eyebrow rose. “We’re going after her next week just for a visual, to make sure she’s okay. Although she did sound fine.”
Gemma’s head reeled. “You’re buying us a house?”
“Yes, and I want everything that goes with it.” He smiled, and that darn dimple winked at her. “I’m kind of a proper guy and will follow the proper protocol with ring, knee, and proposal, but I thought you should know that it’s coming and you’re going to say yes.”
If she became any happier, she’d burst wide open. “Oh, I am, am I?”
“Yeah.” He kissed her chin and then her cheek, his hand covering hers. “Trudy and I already have decided, so you might as well get on board now. Also, she wants two little brothers and a dog. I might have promised her that just to ease her fears during these last few days. With the three of us working on it, I’m sure our kids will be good ones.” Even hiswince was sexy.
“You can’t guarantee two brothers,” Gemma protested, trying not to laugh because her side was starting to hurt. “We might have all girls.”
He shrugged. “I promised, so we’ll just have to keep trying until we make it happen.” He grinned. “I love you, Gemma. Thought I should say the words out loud.”
She’d never realized she could be this happy. That she could feel this safe and loved. Her mouth opened and a doctor strode in.
