“I don’t know. Is that where we want to stay long term?”
He shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not. We’re planning to build some new small houses for the resort, so that could be an option for us later. But for now, I’d like to stay with you. Unless you kick me out.”
“Really?” My heart kicked up its heels, and an unfamiliar warmth spun through my belly. I wanted this, with Cole, so very much. It was difficult not to become afraid of it. It was all so big and fragile at once for me.
“Yes, really,” he said firmly. “Because I love you, and I want to be with you, and I want to make sure you’re okay.”
My eyes were hot with tears. I had so many fears about depending on anyone, but I knew I could depend on Cole. He was safe for me emotionally.
“Okay,” I whispered.
“To be clear, I know you can take care of yourself,” he added. “I just want to be with you.”
“This doesn’t happen often, you know.” I gestured toward my chest. “This whole thing—it’s the first time in a few years this happened. It’s never happened on a hike.”
His gaze was warm. “Well, good.”
Eventually, I was discharged, and it went just as I’d predicted. Holly cleared me for discharge not too long after I told Coleexactly how it would go down. Then, we waited another hour and a half before I could actually leave.
“Do you want to stay out at Heartfire Falls?” Cole asked Rowan as we walked out of the room to head home with Haven.
She hesitated. “Come on,” I coaxed. “I’d love for you to see it. Because it’s going to be where I live. Well, I already live there, but it’s going to be long term.”
“Okay,” she said finally.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
COLE
Cake for everything
“Looking good, Adele,” Haven teased we walked into the waiting area.
Adele rolled her eyes. “I feel fine.”
He studied her a moment while I kept her hand snug in mine. “In all honesty, I know you want to feel invincible, but it’s a good thing you came here today,” I commented.
Adele’s sister—now officially family in my mind, and clearly very protective of Adele—glanced at her with a bemused smile teasing the corners of her mouth. “Adele totally thinks she’s invincible.”
“I know I’m not,” Adele murmured, her tone sobering. “Thank you for driving us in, and for waiting,” she said to Haven. “It’s been a while.”
Haven shrugged. “Anytime. I know if I needed a ride into town and a hospital hangout, you would be there too. And hey, I got caught up on all the town gossip.”
Adele laughed. “Good. Do I need to know the town gossip?”
“Well, someday…” Holly interjected as she approached, handing Adele a sheaf of paperwork with a smile. “You don’t need to read this, but I have to give it to you.”
“Discharge paperwork, right?” Adele asked.
Rowan nudged her lightly with her shoulder. “It is, and you can give it to Cole. That way, if he thinks he needs to check on something in the next day or so, he knows where to look.”
I took the papers from her. “Got it.”
In short order, we were driving home. After they decided to leave Rowan’s car at the hospital since she’d already had a drive this evening, Rowan and Haven chatted casually in the front seat, basically getting to know each other. Meanwhile, all I could do was focus on Adele beside me. I was so relieved. My emotions felt raw and exposed.
When Haven pulled into the parking area at Heartfire Falls, Rowan glanced around. The sun was just starting to set. “It’s beautiful here,” Rowan breathed.
Adele grinned at her. “Isn’t it? This is where I live now.” I gave her shoulders a squeeze when she looked back at me. “We love it.”
