Page 143 of Crystal Iris
“Hoyt was… terrified. He thought he lost you.”
“I know, I never meant… to cause him… any pain.”
“Please talk to Hoyt about?—”
“Kai, he said his name is Kai.”
The nurse comes in to inform me they’ve caught Kai, and I instantly relax with relief. Even if Johanna isn’t planning on pressing charges, I feel better knowing the police have him. Maybe Hoyt can change her mind.
Hoyt comes back as soon as he hears what happened.
“I’m sorry, Johanna, but that’s not an option,” he says when she explains how she feels about Kai.
“Hoyt, what if he is our brother?” she asks him.
“So what? He shot you. I don’t give a fuck who he is.”
“Hoyt, he wasn’t trying to hurt me.”
“He did. Your ear... it’s all because of him.”
“I can hear fine. I still have one good side.”
“Johanna, this is not up for discussion. We are going home. We’re putting all this behind us.”
I know both of them well enough to know this is far from over.
“Will you let me know when you get home?” Hoyt asks as I pack my bag. We ended up staying way too long at the lodge. My stuff is everywhere.
“Yes.” I’m already missing him.
Hewalks closer.
“Thank you for everything you did these weeks, these months. I’ve really enjoyed having you by my side.”
“Thanks for having me at your home. I’ve enjoyed it too. I never knew how much I could like the countryside.”
“Let me get Jo settled, and I’ll visit you soon.”
“Do you think she’s... okay enough to go home?”
“I think so. I’ll hire a nurse to change her bandages or take care of anything if necessary, but she should be okay to be driven to and from the hospital for those visits now.”
“She doesn’t even seem too upset by the hearing loss.”
“She’s tough like her horses.”
I smile at the thought, Mona coming to mind. “Mona... I really don’t have words. She’s amazing.”
“She’ll be waiting for you, hopefully tamed by the holidays,” he says.
“I’m looking forward to my next break already.”
“Me too,” he says, kissing his fingers and gesturing to put them on my lips.
I could feel my body warm to the gesture, even without the physical touch.
“You know how you say everything happens for a reason?” I ask him, zipping my luggage.
