“You weren’t supposed to tell Mom and Dad what happened,” Hunter said under his breath as they moved closer.
“Mom would’ve killed me if I hadn’t and anyway, you know keeping silent isn’t really my thing.Sure you’re feeling okay?”
Irritated, he glared at his sister.“Stop fussing…”
“Just worried about your heart,” she said with a straight face.
“I hit my head, my heart’s fine,” he snapped.He had a headache and was probably bruised all over, but that was his business.
“Hi, Mom,” Jade said.
“Hunter!”His mother rushed closer and taking his arm turned him toward the light.“Where did you hit your head?”
“At the back…”
She’d turned his head before he could finish his sentence.“Hunter Grant, what happened to your head?”
He grabbed her waving hands.“Mom, relax, I’m fine.My head hit something when I fell but I didn’t even need stiches, I’m really fine.”
His mom sniffed.“Not according to Willow, you’re not.”
Hunter froze.“What…?”His turned around and there she was.
Her eyes were big, her face so pale, he was worried she’d keel over any moment.With two long strides he’d reached her.“Willow?Why are you here?”
“I knew something was wrong.”
“You could’ve phoned.”
He was vaguely aware everyone else was leaving and going into the house, but his eyes were fixed on Willow.Everything inside him was egging him on to pick her up and throw her over his shoulder.Apart from the fact that his whole body was aching, though, he wasn’t sure whether he’d survived if she were to leave again.
“You’re very pale and you have a headache,” she said.“We’ll talk later…”
But he wasn’t interested in talking later.“We’ll talk now.You sent me away.You told me you can’t be with me because you’re scared of what you’ll feel if something happens to me.Now something has happened, but you came to see me, nevertheless.I don’t get it.”
“I was in the jewelry store this morning.The one where you bought my ring.I was going to ask them to cut it off if necessary.Funny thing was, when I tried to show the saleslady the ring wouldn’t come off, it slipped off easily.She cleaned it for me.My plan was to post it to you but when she returned it, I put it back on again and…well, I’m not taking it off again.”
Around them everything quieted down.He should probably breathe, but not before he understood exactly what the hell she was saying.“I’m tired, my head hurts and where my heart is supposed to be, is a big hole, so you’ll have to explain to me precisely why you’re still wearing my ring.All the words, Willow.”
With her eyes on him, she stepped closer until they were standing toe to toe.“I was hoping we could talk about trying a long-distance relationship, if you’re still willing.”
“Hey, you two,” Jade said from the doorway.“Mom has made coffee and there’s some left-over dinner.Come on in.”
Without saying another word, Willow turned around and followed Jade inside.
Muttering under his breath, Hunter also walked into the house and closed the door.Damn it to hell, he didn’t understand what the hell was going on.The woman had ripped his heart from his body, but now she was here, his ring still on her finger and she wanted to see him whenever possible?
When he’d made the suggestion, she hadn’t been interested, so what the hell?
Chapter Eighteen
They had justfinished eating leftovers in the kitchen when Hunter’s mom picked up Willow’s hand.“It’s a beautiful ring you’re wearing.Are you engaged?”
Willow swallowed, overly aware of everyone, including Hunter, looking at her, “I… it’s Hunter’s ring, but I’m not sure if we are in fact, still engaged.”
“Oh, my goodness, you two!”Jade said as she got up.“Make up your minds!It’s not that difficult.Hunter, take her to your house and discuss whatever this thing between the two of you is, I’ll clean up the kitchen.Willow, do you need anything.I don’t see a bag?”
Willow got up.“I… the trip wasn’t planned, but I did get the most of what I’ll need in the shops at the airport, thanks.It’s in the car, I’ll get it later.Thanks for dinner, Mrs.Grant…”
