Page 48 of His Curvy Woman

Now that I know Whitley is going to be okay, the fog in my mind starts to clear. I call McManus.

“McManus.” He says, answering the call.

“We have Whitley, she’s at the hospital. She’s going to be okay. Have you found him yet?”

“Good. Yeah, a silent alarm went off at the local vet’s office. We found him there, holding the vet tech hostage trying to get treated. Your dog did a number on the asshole.”

Arya? “Oh shit. My dog.”

“Already taken care of her Stone. One of the officers brought her in a few minutes ago.”

“Thank you.”

“Sure thing. Look, you won’t hear from me for a few days. I’m driving this fucker back to headquarters. I’ll give you a call when I get back to town.”

“Sounds good McManus. Thank you again.”

“No need to thank me. It’s my job.” He hangs up just as John and Diane are walking back over to me.

“They got him. He’s in custody.” I say once they are in front of me. Everyone around us lets out a sigh of relief, and Diane starts crying into her husband’s chest.

“She’s asking for you.”

I shake my head, no. “I’m sorry I brought this on Whitley. I never meant for her to get hurt, but it’s my fault. I should have never come back.”

Diane takes my hands in hers. “Listen up, Hunter. My daughter was happy before you came back, but when you showed up, I saw her blossom into the woman I always knew she was going to be. Yes, it’s awful that this happened, and it has scared the crap out of me, but don’t be sorry that you came back. You and Whitley were always meant to be. Everyone knows it.” She tells me.

I look at everyone who have gathered around us and they all nod, even Ramsey is shaking his head. “I didn’t believe it when you came to see me the first day you were back in town. You showed me the ring and told me you were going to marry her someday. Ever since then, I’ve watched you with her, and I’ve seen how she is with you. Then I remember all those times before you left. I hate that she’s had to go through this, but I know you’ll always be there for her. Loving her for the rest of your days.”

“Go see your woman, Hunter. She needs you.” John says.

I’m not one to get emotional, but with everyone supporting me, forgiving me for what I brought to their doorstep, it’s more than I was expecting. Arriving at her room, I enter and find her sleeping, her head wrapped up on one side. Seeing her lying in bed, fragile and bruised, somewhat broken, it hits me. I could have lost her today. I could have lost them both. Tears roll down my face as I realize the gift I’ve been given today. I sit down beside her and hold her hand, trying my best not to wake her with my quiet sobs. Leaning over her, I rest my head on her hand and kiss it.

“Hunt.” She groans.

My head shoots up, and I look her in the eyes. “I’m right here, baby. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Did they find him?” She asks in a trembling voice.

“They got him, love. He’s not going to bother you again.”

“And Arya?”

I wince not wanting to bring up Arya yet. “She’s being treated now. She was shot but is still alive.”

Her eyes close and then open, a single tear rolling down the side of her face, into her hairline. I wipe it away.

“I’m so, so sorry baby.”

“You didn’t do it.”

“But I’m the reason he was here. All of this,” I gesture at her injuries, “Is because of me.”

Whitley grabs my hand and places it over her stomach. “This is because of you too. The life growing inside me is because you didn’t give up on us. Don’t doubt your decision to come back, because I don’t.”

I lean up and place a soft kiss against her lips, trying my best not to hurt her. “I love you, Lee.”

“Love you too, Hunt.”

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