Granger waits a few minutes then looks at me. “I’ll head out and sort out somewhere for us to stay.”
“I’m not leaving.” I sit forward, my hand tightening on Felix’s. “Not until he does.”
“Okay.” He nods. “I’ll come back later, bring you something to eat.”
“I’m not?—”
“You need to eat. We both do. It does him no good if we don’t take care of ourselves.”
Granger’s words hold truth, although I doubt I can stomach anything right now. “I’ll try.”
“Eat.”
The whispered word has us both looking at Felix. His eyes are still closed but I swear… “Felix?”
The only thing we get is a hum. It’s followed by pressure on my fingers. And I smile. The first one since this morning.
“I’ll eat. Because I love you, Felix Wallis.”
“Love you. Riley Wallis.” His words are slurred but they’re real and with a grin, I stand up and press my lips to his scarred cheek.
“Love you more than I imagined possible.”
All I get is another hum before his hand goes limp in mine. But I’m not worried. He’s alive. He’s going to be fine. And he loves me.
FELIX
THREE WEEKS LATER…
So much has happened in the last month. Getting shot wasn’t on my list of things to do, but it is what it is, and the incident brought Riley and me closer.
She didn’t leave my side for the first week after the shooting. And when she did, it wasn’t farther than the next room. She’s gotten better with her need to know I’m okay and I think I’ve convinced her it’s okay to leave the cabin to help Granger with our firewood business.
The weather is about to turn the corner into full winter and with the excitement of my shooting, most residents of Winter Lake left ordering their supply to the last minute. I’m not up to manning the shop while Uncle Granger delivers orders and honestly, I’d like some time alone.
I love my wife, I tell her every day, but after years of living on my own, this constant hovering is a bit much.
Plus I’m waiting for a few minutes without Riley around to call a friend with a strange request I don’t want my wife to hear.
“I’m going.” Riley steps out of our bedroom bundled up like she’s heading to the arctic and I smile.
“You won’t need all those clothes at the shop.”
“I’m walking there.”
I sit up straight. “No, you’re not.”
“Yes, I am. I know the way and Granger is already out delivering. I need to be at the shop by nine.”
“Take the truck. I’m not going anywhere.” I haven’t driven it yet but with the trip to Winter Lake then the hospital, home, and several doctor’s appointments in town, I’ve been in the damn thing almost every day.
“Nope. Granger is coming for dinner.” She nods toward the kitchen. “I’ve got the stew already on the stove. I just need you to keep an eye on it.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t do too much,” she warns before bending down and kissing me goodbye. “I’ll be home by four. Granger doesn’t want the shop open all day.”
“Sounds good.”
