"I will. Thanks." Lance smiled.
"See ya, Betty." Franks waved her direction.
"Be safe," Betty said back.
Lance repeated the words, then watched as Franks left the room.
"So, you okay after hearing all that?" Betty asked Lance.
"No. I'm angry. People died because a husband and wife were fighting. I want to make her suffer for what she's done. I know it's not right, but I nearly lost everything because of her. If he'd died, I don't know what I would have done. Sure, she'll be locked up in prison, but I can't help feeling like that won't be nearly hard enough on her."
"Your feelings are justified. I'm sure you're not the only one who will be feeling that way once the news breaks about why the explosion happened. So many lives hurt by one woman's anger at her husband. Maybe he did work too much, but this wasn't how you solved it. From what we've been told, this couple's problems go much deeper than him working late nights." Betty floated over to Angus. "Our boy will be okay, but for many, they will continue to grieve or suffer from lifelong issues because of that woman's choices."
"Will he really be okay? No long-term problems with his throat?"
"I can't know that, but I think he's a fighter. He'll get through anything he needs to. And we'll be right there by his side while he does it." Betty smiled down at Angus. "He wants to come back to you just as badly as you want him back. Don't give up on him."
"Never," Lance promised. "If anything, this makes me love him even more."
"You two were meant for each other." Betty looked over at Lance. "Once everyone is healed, Lizzy and I will throw a big dinner to celebrate."
Lance nodded, but he had his own plans. The moment Angus got home, he was proposing. No more putting it off, waiting for the right moment. He'd do it the second they walked into the house. He wanted it official. He wanted Angus as his.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Angus slowly opened his eyes, trying to grasp what was going on. Confusion intensified with his blurry vision. He blinked several times, trying to remember what happened and where he was. He was stiff, his muscles sore and tight. His throat hurt and was dry as he tried to swallow.
"He's awake again."
Angus blinked and tried to turn his head toward Lance's voice, but there was something around his neck. Something stopping him from being able to turn his head. He lifted his hand toward whatever it was.
"Easy. You've got bandages around your neck. Try not to move too much." Lance's hands caught his and held them.
Angus didn't understand. What was going on?
"He seems more with it this time." His mother's voice came from his side.
"Mom?" His voice was barely a whisper.
"Yes, it's me. You're in the hospital. You're going to be just fine, but try not to move your head too much." His mother bent closer and brushed a kiss over his cheek.
"Happened?" God, why was it so hard to focus, to speak?
"There was an explosion. You got cut by a large piece of glass," Lance told him from his other side, still holding his hands. "They had to operate to remove it."
He tried to remember, but everything was fuzzy. He remembered Betty for some reason. She'd been with him somewhere. But that didn't make sense. He'd never seen Betty. How could he remember her being with him? Nothing made sense. "Betty."
"Betty's right here by my side. She saved your life." His mother sounded so proud. "Can you see her?"
Angus blinked. See Betty? Why would he suddenly be able to see Betty? But he could remember how she looked, so maybe he had seen her somehow. "Can't see ghosts."
"Well, I was hoping that had changed, but that's okay. She's here. Lance and Betty haven't left your side," his mother told him.
Lance held his hands and Angus blinked hard, trying to see through the blur to get a good look at him.
"Hey there. Glad you're awake." Lance lifted Angus's hands to his lips and kissed them. "I love you so much."
"Love you," Angus whispered the words.
