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“I understand.”

“I had some voice mails you’d sent me that I saved. On really bad days, I listened to them. Especially the ones where you said you loved me and we’d get through this. I pretended they were still real.”

We were candid, honest. Laid insecurities and worries open. Spoke of hurts and thoughts we kept inside. Then slowly, the conversations became directed toward the future. Our life going forward—together.

I heard the key in the lock and grinned. Maddy was here. I’d given her a key so she could come and go as she wanted, hoping she’d get used to the place and agree to stay. I didn’t want her across town over the bakery. I wanted her with me. Here.

She came in, smiling. “Hello, Dr. VanRyan.”

“Nurse Tate,” I greeted her. “Here to give me a sponge bath?”

Her laughter floated from the kitchen where she put down a bag. “I was thinking dinner.”

I pouted as she rounded the corner. “No bubbles?”

She bent and kissed me. “No bubbles yet. Soon.”

I caught her around the waist, holding her close. “Very soon.”

She sat next to me, smiling. “I got good news today.”

“Share.”

“I got two other nurses to swap shifts with me. I have five days off, so I can go with you to Port Albany. It’s not long, but it’s all I could get.”

I grinned. “Awesome. I’ll tell Aiden, and he’ll arrange the plane. Mom and Dad can go with us and stay. We’ll fly home commercial.”

“You can stay longer. I was lucky to get that amount of time off since I’m still new. But you should stay and visit with your family.” She pushed the hair off my forehead. “They’ve missed you.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“I’m nervous,” she admitted.

“They’re going to love you. And you’ve already met Aiden. You spoke to Gracie on Zoom last week. And I’ll be there. You’ll be fine.”

She blew out a long breath. “I hope so.”

I kissed her again. “You will be. I’ll make sure of it.”

I woke up, reaching for Maddy. She had been spending most nights here, and I was used to having her beside me. I liked it. She smelled good all the time and was warm.

But right now, my bed was empty. I listened for a moment, not hearing anything, then got up, intending on finding her. I barely winced as I moved now, my incision healing well. I was pleased with my progress, as was my surgeon, although he was still cautious about me rushing things.

I walked into the living room, spying Maddy on the balcony. Her arms rested on the railing, and her head was tilted as she studied the night sky. She wore a T-shirt of mine, the material thin and showing her curves. It hung past her knees and the neckline was stretched to hell, but she loved it and I liked seeing her in any of my clothes.

I padded across the room, stepping out onto the cement, still holding its warmth from the heat of the day. I wrapped my arms around her. “What are you doing?”

“Looking at the stars.”

“You should be asleep. We have to be at the airport at six.”

Aiden had flown in earlier that day, visiting with my parents and coming by for a quick visit to assure me everything was in order.

“You can use one of the guesthouses,” he informed me. “Private.” He winked. “And you’re flying home on the plane.” He waved off my objections. “You’re dropping Sammy, Luke, and the kids off in Calgary, then on to BC. Richard told us about the precautions you have to take. None of us want you on a public plane. So no arguing.”

“That’s going overboard.”

“Nope. It’s happening, kid. Nothing is changing the plan.”