Her head swam. “I love you.”
Then everything went black.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The news reporter detailed the story of the arrest of Darius Boyd, chronicling the relationship he had with Marty Warner, the plan he hatched to kill Warner and his family in cold blood, and the cover-up that followed. Though she lived most of it, Paige sat engrossed as the story unfolded. The news story concluded with an exclusive interview with Boyd’s son Cassius. The presidential hopeful touted his father’s innocence, passing the blame for the crimes onto Mars, who’s background and true identity remained unknown.
Suddenly the screen went black, and Paige blinked in surprise. She reached for the remote control on the bedside table only to realize it wasn’t there. Ben held it in his hand, his expression disapproving. But she didn’t care. Seeing him in front of her, tall and powerful and sexy, was something she’d never tire of.
“I told you to stop watching the news coverage.”
Her grin widened when he frowned at her. “I know, but I can’t help it. I still can’t believe Darius Boyd is going on trial for murder, and I’m free to be Paige Childers, living my life out in the open without fear.”
His frown turned into a glare, and she laughed. “I mean, Paige Childers soon-to-be Weston.”
His expression relaxed, and he placed a kiss to her cheek. “Ready to go home?”
Home.Paige’s injuries required a lengthy hospital stay. In between surgeries, scans, IVs, and rest, she’d been questioned by law enforcement from so many agencies she stopped keeping up. No one would tell her any details of the investigation, and she realized she didn’t care. She’d been concerned only with her healing and having Ben at her side.
He didn’t disappoint. Once they patched up the superficial gunshot wound to his arm, he’d been with her nonstop. She’d had to enlist the help of his brothers in getting him to leave long enough to shower and change into fresh clothes, and that only happened because one of them stayed with her during the short time he was gone.
As a result, she enjoyed getting to know Jackson, Luke, and Easton. When she’d first come back to Fire Creek, she hadn’t spent a lot of time with them while they were checking into her case. She’d spent more time with their wives, who had become close friends. But getting to know the boys and their unique personalities had given her insight into the man Ben was. He and his brothers shared a unique bond, and she was incredibly happy to see it.
She was most nervous to meet English and Becky because of how important they were to Ben. They were a huge influence on the man he was today, the man who had stolen her heart. But they accepted her, and she fell in love with them. Their family insisted there wasn’t anything between English and Becky other than companionship, but Paige sensed there was somethingmore. Paige even asked Becky about it once when they were left alone during a visit.
Becky had blushed and patted Paige’s hand. “Honey, there’s so much history between us, I don’t know that we can ever have what you and Ben have or what the others share.”
Paige had regarded her closely. “Ben loves the two of you so much. You’ve changed his life more than you know. It’s natural that he wants the two of you to be happy. Now that I’ve met you both, I can see why your family is so keen on seeing you and English together. May I ask what’s holding you back?”
Becky shook her head. “You don’t want to hear this. We should focus on you and our Ben.”
“I understand if you don’t want to talk about it, but I promise you, I’m willing to listen if you want to share.”
It turns out Paige’s encouragement was all Becky needed to open up. “For English, he’s hung up on the age difference. And his first marriage didn’t work out, so he’s gun shy. Even after all these years.”
“And for you?”
“I don’t know. I don’t want to ruin what we have by taking a chance and have it fail.”
Paige had settled back against the pillows stacked at her back. “Fear can be a powerful and paralyzing thing. But from what Ben told me about you, I think you have the strength to kick fear in the ass.”
Becky smiled and squeezed Paige’s hand. “And you know what you speak because I hear you’ve done the same thing.”
Paige had no idea if their talk helped Becky, but Paige felt a kinship with the woman. Ben’s whole family accepted her, and for once in a long time, she was at peace.
“Paige, you okay?”
She shook off her wandering thoughts and realized she hadn’t answered Ben’s question.
“Yes, I’m fine. In fact, I’m more than ready to go home.”
He bent down, and his lips pressed against hers in a lingering kiss. A thrill started at her toes and swirled up through her body, leaving her nerve endings tingling. He pulled away, and they shared a smile full of promise.
“I’ll go check on the progress of your discharge. Be right back.”
Ben left her alone, and she sighed. She could barely remember the last time she was this elated, and if her memory was correct, the same person was responsible for her happiness then as now. If someone had told her it was possible for a person to fall for her childhood best friend, she would have laughed, certain the idea was too fanciful to believe. But that was her reality. And it was perfect.
Paige ran a hand through her hair, her fingers snaring in the tangles. Frowning, she picked up the mirror a nurse left for her on the overbed table. She’d seen her reflection several times during her hospital stay, but this time, she saw herself as Ben did. Her hair was a mussed, tangled mess. Her skin was pale with colorful bruises marring her complexion. Her split lip was still a bit tender but was much better than when she first came in.
