“We’ll just be outside. I’ll make arrangements to get you airlifted to the hospital and have you checked out.” Richard glanced in her direction. “I can make sure you get back to Florida.”
“No need. I’m a big girl. My jet is at the airport and ready to fly whenever I am, but thank you.” Grace squeezed Richard’s arm in passing before he walked out, shutting the door behind him.
“Hey you.” Grace smiled as she approached the bed.
“I’m the worst date ever.” He grinned.
“Believe it or not, I’ve had worse.” She winked and sat on the bed next to him. She wrapped her hand around his and linked their fingers. “Thanks for not dying on me. That would have really sucked.”
Sam shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know. I still would have haunted you. I could have given you dating tips in ghost form.”
Grace chuckled. “Yes, you could have, but you’re forgetting I’m not a client.”
“You’re right. You’re not a client; you’re my hero.”
“That’s me.” Grace smiled. “Able to leap from tall buildings in a single bound, or just fall from second-story barns andnot break my neck. Same thing. I just need to get you one of those call signals made that I can see in the night sky.”
“Save your money. I’ll just flash the lights in my office to get your attention.”
“Steve and Sarah have been arrested, and I’ve already given my statement to the police.”
“Good.” Sam rested his hand on her flat stomach. “How’s our baby?”
“Non-existent.” Grace slipped off the bed and kissed his lips. “The condom was a second layer of protection. I’m on the pill, so barring I’m one of the two-percenters…we should be good.”
Richard poked his head into the room, halting their conversation. “The helicopter should be here in five minutes.”
“Thanks,” Sam said and turned his loving gaze to Grace. “Are you going to stay?”
“I’m going to fly home and get out of everyone’s hair. I think this couch potato has had enough excitement. Are you going to be good?”
“I’ll be fine, thanks to you.”
“Yeah. What can I say? I saved you from the bridesmaids and from bleeding out. Where would you be without me?”
“Where indeed?”
“So I guess I’ll see you when I see you.” Grace leaned over and pressed her lips tohis for possibly the last time. Her heart clenched at the thought.
“You can count on it.”
The sound of the whipping blades on the chopper outside the window drowned out whatever else Sam was about to say. Grace moved to the window and watched the paramedics in flight suits push a stretcher through the yard. “Looks like your chariot awaits.”
The door opened and the room turned into a frenzy of activity, with the paramedics trying to get Sam onto the stretcher and Sam’s family members trying to help while asking questions.
The entire Stone family left in the helicopter, leaving Grace behind. Not that she minded. They were his family. They needed to be with him.
“Can I give you a lift back to the hotel and to the airport?” Rose asked.
“That would be great.”
The windows were down in the truck. The incoming breeze from the evening wind caressed Grace’s face.
She was alive. They were both alive.
A tear formed behind her eyes. It was the first time since the barn that she allowed herself to feel the impact of what had just happened. She’d found the most incredible man and had nearly lost him forever. Even if they never dated, just knowing he was alive would be enough.
“Don’t worry. Dad said he’ll be fine,” Rose said reassuringly.
