Page 54 of Two Hearts Reunited

“How long have I been here?”

“Less than a week. And your mission was successful, I’m supposed to tell you.”

“What’s wrong with me?”

“Along with a concussion, you’ve got some broken ribs from being flung through the air. Actually, you got off easy. It could have been so much worse. How’s your hearing?”

“Fine, as surprising as it is to admit,” Eric replied. “I don’t think I can keep my eyes open.”

“Okay. When you wake again, we’ll call Anya together and tell her the good news.”

“Call her now. I can’t wait to go home,” he mumbled, suddenly out for the count as the nurse rushed into the room.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Eric was coming home. Anya could hardly believe it.

But poor Brian. He’d been over in Germany for nearly three weeks and Ashley had been left here alone to contend with Arielle, although Anya had done what she could to help. Supposedly, her baby wasn’t due for another week or two. Ashley’s mom had immediately offered to come and stay with her, but after talking to Ashley had decided to wait until the baby arrived.

Anya was as ready as she could be for Eric’s return, transforming the new master bedroom that she’d set up in her grandparent’s former apartment into a retreat, even adding a small weight room for exercise in the bedroom that was closest to the cabin’s living room. Eric would become restless very quickly, she was sure, so they’d moved the leather sofa bed into the living room near the fireplace so it could be used once Eric was nearly healed.

Jake and Danielle had talked her into having all the exterior work done on the cabin so that she could begin interior renovations. Heating would be the next step.

They’d insisted on loaning her the money, and at this point, refused to discuss terms of repayment, although they’d mentioned an extraordinarily minimal interest rate.

Although she visited with Eric on Facetime several times a week, Anya would be so relieved when he eventually made it home and she could see for herself that he was doing okay.

Finally, it was the day that Jake would be flying Eric and Brian in to the Crystal Rock Airport on his private plane. A special van had been borrowed from the wounded warrior home, and Brian would be accompanying Eric back to the cabin.

Outside, when they arrived, Anya was pacing the grounds. Eric would be amazed at how much nicer the exterior of the cabin looked. Also, during the summer, she’d discovered that she really enjoyed gardening, something that her mom had never been into although Grandma had. Anya had managed to revive the wide rose bed as well as the arbor situated alongside the master bedroom, where French doors had been installed to replace the large window, and the old brick courtyard had been renovated.

A few minutes later, the driver finally turned the van into the driveway, so Anya motioned for him to back up onto the patio.

Stepping out of his seat with a smile, the driver walked around to the back of the van, opening the doors wide.

Peeking inside, Anya could see that Eric had been grumbling, probably because he was strapped into a gurney.

Since he looked so grumpy, she couldn’t help laughing. He was going to befine.

“Somehow, I didn’t think you’d be laughing once I arrived,” he growled, definitely accusing.

“I was happy at the fact that you were grumbling, because that’s how I knew you were really going to be okay,” she answered dryly.

Brian started laughing too. “Hi Anya. I hear you’ve been keeping an eye on my girls.”

“I sure have Brian, and you’re all coming over here for dinner tomorrow night for a cookout after Eric’s had a nice long rest from the trip.”

“We’ll be here,” Brian said, stepping out from the van to assist the driver with wheeling the gurney into the bedroom.

Once Eric was inside the bedroom, he started yanking at the harness. “Will you two please get me out of this damn thing. I need to use the restroom.”

Anya grinned. “I guess you’re not going to be a good patient?”

“Come over here and kiss me, will you?” Eric growled.

Everyone was laughing as the driver unlatched the harness and Anya wrapped her arms around Eric, kissing him thoroughly. “God, I’ve missed you.”

“The feeling is mutual,” he muttered. “Brian, I’m kind of wobbly right now,” Eric said, trying to stand.

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