Page 129 of Rescued Heart

“Carter? He…” Her hand flew to her neck.

Eddie helped her lie back against the pillow. “He’s on his way to jail. He spilled the entire story about what he owed the Duke, but it turns out Roger was the Duke. He wanted to be mayor to protect his growing criminal activities and to make sure his business, the resort, got approved.”

Bianca sank back into the pillow. “So the resort isn’t coming to Last Chance County either?”

“That’s the hope. And Riley, Kelson, and Janice were all arrested too.”

She licked her dry lips. “I should be sorry for dragging you into my life. But, Eddie, I’m not. I’m sorry I ever agreed that there couldn’t be a future with you. Could we try it again? This time for real?”

Eddie cradled her palm in both of his hands. She only vaguely registered the beeping of her monitors in the silence. “Some things have changed.”

Bianca closed her eyes. She was too late.

He squeezed her fingers. “As much as I love hearing your offer, you need to know the truth.” His eyes found hers. “I-I want to become Will’s temporary guardian. I don’t know if I can make a difference in the boy’s life, but I don’t want to give up.”

She blinked. Was that it? “I wouldn’t ask you to give up. That’s one of the many things I admire about you. Your compassion for those kids.”

He wiped his thumb along her cheek. “And your desire to see relationships heal.”

She shook her head. “I’ve tried so hard to gain the world’s approval. But I’ve been doing it wrong. No more trying to control the situation. Only God can restore relationships.”

Eddie traced her thumb. “Mary was the one who helped me find you in the hospital.”

Bianca placed her hand on his arms. “Do you want her in your life?”

Eddie shrugged. “Maybe. If it’ll help point her to the Lord.”

Bianca cupped Eddie’s cheek. “You’re a brave man, Eddie Rice.”

“It’s Eddington Darrall Rice. Darrall’s after my father. The man I never want to be like.”

Bianca rested her forehead against his. “I don’t think I want to ever finish that movie, even if it is possible. But if I don’t, there’s no money.”

She pushed herself to sit.

“Easy. I thought you might be worried about that.” He lowered his face until his mouth whispered near her ear. “Instead of a youth center, my team’s only going to need a full-time assistant coach.”

Bianca raised her brows. “Are you offering me another deal?”

Eddie sent her a flirty smirk she rather enjoyed. “The last one turned out pretty well, didn’t it? Minus the fire, death threats, and hospital visits.”

She removed her oxygen mask. “Don’t forget about crazy fans and family drama.”

While he leaned closer, his face sobered. “You’d be worth going through it all again.”

Her breathing hitched. Yes, her true worth rested in the Lord, but it didn’t exactly hurt that the man she’d faced a gun for cared about her too.

He reached to pull her oxygen mask back on. “We’ll talk later. You need rest.”

She stopped his hand and tucked her fingers inside of his. “Wait, our new deal should be sealed with a kiss.”

He brought the back of her hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss to her skin.

She tried to cross her arms, but the tightening in her shoulder around her bandage made her settle for wrinkling her nose. “You didn’t want a real kiss?”

He closed the space between them. “With you…” His smile revealed the two dimples she’d noticed on that first night they’d met by accident. “Always.”

His lips met hers—sweetly—with a promise of a tomorrow. One that held no more pretending. Or at least when it came to their future. The no-faking, happily-ever-after, real-life kind of forever.

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