“Jarrett…”
“I know,” Marshall said, holding the cup and pointing the straw at her mouth. “Save your energy. He doesn’t deserve any of it. We’ve got him.”
The water soothed her parched throat. She leaned back into the pillows, the pain from her injury more pronounced now. A tear slipped down her cheeks as her breath shuddered in her chest from the movement.
“It hurts,” she said in a breathy voice.
Marshall lowered the bed, then placed a hand on her forehead. “Let’s see if we can get you more pain meds. They must have worn off.” He pressed the red button by the bed to call Ingrid back.
Moving his hand, he stroked his palm over her forehead and hair, the touch comforting.
“Tell me what happened to Jarrett,” she asked, closing her eyes to listen.
“Police caught him speeding away from the scene. We got him on the doorbell camera coming to the house that night and attacking Evan,” he explained, his eyes searching her for signs of discomfort. “Grandpa hired people to put up security cameras after Jack was killed. It was a secret, so Jarrett didn’t know they had been installed. Police were able to use the footage to build a damning case. He’s been arrested. You just focus on getting better.”
Nurse Ingrid popped open the door once more, her blonde top knot bouncing as she walked. “I called your mom and dad. They should be here shortly. I’ll top up your IV and give you two some privacy. We’ll have the doctor pass by on his roundsto check your stitches. Welcome back, Colette.” She winked at Marshall and told him to call if he needed her for anything else.
He waited for the door to close, then turned back to Colette.
“I have a husband now?” she said with a rough chuckle, her voice slightly better after a long drink.
“About that…” Marshall ran his finger along his collar nervously. “You see, it was the only way they would let me be with you. Once I found you, there was no way I was leaving. Your mom played along once I told her. It has to be okay if your mom said it was, right?”
She gave a scratchy laugh and attempted to clear her throat.
“We’re not really married, but they don’t need to know that,” Marshall said with an exaggerated wink.
Colette swallowed as his words traveled directly to hit her in the heart. He hadn’t left her side? How long had she been in the hospital?
Her lip trembled as he spoke. A flood of emotion rushed through her as she remembered how close she had come to never seeing him again.
“Can you tell me what happened to me that night?” she asked, swallowing again to offset the stress her words had put on her vocal cords. “My memories are so confused.”
Marshall looked away. Steeling himself with a deep breath, he turned, placing a hand on her cheek. “It’s still unclear right now, but what I know is my uncle Jarrett stabbed you and lit the guest house on fire.” He swiped his eyes with his hands and before he continued. “The timeline we’ve pieced together is that Jarrett attacked you. He followed you from Calgary. I’m not sure how he found out you were coming. Evan tried to rescue you from the house, but Jarrett knocked him out. I pulled you out of the fire just in time and took care of you until the paramedics arrived. The ambulance took you away, and I drove with a fucking lead foot to find you. You’re at the Rockyview Hospitalin Calgary. They transferred you from Drumheller because you were high-risk and needed surgery.”
Her hand moved toward her wound, gently pressing her side.
“Jarrett stabbed you, but luckily, the knife missed all your major organs. You were in surgery and lost a lot of blood, but you were so strong.” Marshall stroked her forehead with his thumb, as his gaze raked over her face. “They’re keeping you here to make sure the wound heals properly and to watch for infection.”
Her mouth curved into a smile. She was relieved to see him again. His face told her everything she needed to know. It was a close call.
A light knock sounded at the door and Marshall scrubbed his hand over his face to wipe away the last traces of his tears. Clearing his throat, he went to open the door.
“Is she okay?” her mother’s familiar voice could be heard whispering.
“I’m okay, Mom,” Colette answered for Marshall.
Frankie Slip pushed past Marshall, her hand covering her mouth as a sob escaped.
“Oh, Coco! We were so scared.” Frankie pulled the chair right up to the bed and sat down, wrapping her arms gingerly around her daughter. “It’s so good to see you awake.”
Her mother dropped about twenty little kisses on her forehead and inspected every inch of her face and arms, looking for signs of pain. Of which Colette had a lot.
“Mom, give it a rest,” her sister Aurora said from the door, standing next to Colette’s father. “Give the woman some space.” Her face was somber as she came to touch Colette’s hand. It was reassuring to stare into the blue eyes, so similar to her own.
Colette grinned, her heart warming.
“Does it hurt? Do you need anything? I can send Marshall to get you another warm blanket. Marshall, this one is cold.Please,” Frankie fretted over her daughter, her comforting hand wrapping around Colette’s.
