Page 58 of Crossroads of Betrayal
“Can’t be a coincidence your woman keeps showing up in a bed I’m responsible for.”
Warmth spread through her that had nothing to do with whatever was being pumped into her body.
Zeke’s woman.
They hadn’t discussed where their relationship stood, but she hoped with her whole being that she could call herself his.
Cliff fiddled with a few buttons then shot her a wink as he hurried to the door. “Call if you need me. I’ll come running.”
A low growl rose from Zeke.
“Thanks.” She managed a small smile before he left the room.
“How are you feeling?” Zeke grazed the tip of his index finger over her knuckles, his handsome face pinched with concern.
Wincing, she shifted to sit straighter. “I’ve been better.”
He frowned. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there. Sorry Joan fooled us all and got her hands on you. I swear, I’ve never been so scared in my whole damn life.”
“Worse than when I was hit by a truck?” Her attempt at humor did nothing to erase the worry lines from around his eyes.
“Yes,” he said, his voice catching. “Because this time I thought I’d lost you before I got a chance to tell you exactly what you mean to me. I love you, Grace, and I don’t want to go another second without you knowing it. I don’t want to place any pressure on you. Don’t want you to feel like you need to say or do anything. But I need you to know where I stand, and I’ll stand by your side or even a step behind if that’s what you want. If you still need time and space to find yourself. I just want you to be happy.”
Joy exploded in Grace’s chest and curled her toes against the stiff blanket. She’d been lost for so long, she never thought true happiness would ever find its way back into her life. But all it took was Zeke showing up and melting the resistance around her heart. Being patient and understanding and realizing what she needed was a hard look at the root of her issues—issues it was now up to her to tackle head on. And she wanted him beside her every step of the way.
A knock at the door stole her chance to respond. Brooke rushed inside while Lincoln hovered in the doorway.
“You need to stop scaring us,” Brooke said, coming to a stop beside the bed and gripping the handrail.
Grace snorted. “Trust me, I’m not doing it on purpose.”
Zeke kept a firm hold of her hand, bringing it to rest on his knee, but settled against his chair.
“Well, with Joan out of the picture, you should be safe now,” Lincoln said.
“I told you Zeke was innocent.” She couldn’t help but make the comment. She didn’t blame Lincoln or anyone else on the Pine Valley Police Department for what happened, but Zeke being vindicated felt good.
Lincoln scowled. “I didn’t really think he killed Tessa. The evidence against him was too tidy, and there was no reason for him to murder a woman he’d never met. You just didn’t trust me to do my job. There were a lot of moving pieces you weren’t aware of, and I couldn’t divulge.”
Not wanting to get into a senseless argument, she blew out a long breath. “You’re right. I’m sorry. It doesn’t matter now anyway. How are you?” She’d taken more than one life in her time spent in the army. No matter the circumstances, the idea that she was the reason someone was no longer on this earth always took away a piece of her.
“I’m fine,” Lincoln said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I did what I had to do.”
Brooke hurried to his side and slipped an arm around his waist. “We all did. And now we can put this whole nightmare behind us.”
“What about Darrin?” Zeke asked. “Any updates?”
Brooke nodded. “He just made it out of surgery. His parents are in the waiting room. He’ll have to spend a few nights before he’s released, but he’s expected to make a full recovery.”
Relief expanded her lungs. “If he hadn’t shown up, I don’t know if I would have made it out of those woods alive. I hate he was hurt, but I owe him.”
“Weowe him,” Zeke said, squeezing her hand.
Gratitude misted her eyes.
Brooke cleared her throat. “Well, then. Now that I’ve seen for myself that you’re all right, we’ll leave you two alone. I expect you to go straight home as soon as you’re discharged. And you’re not to leave your bed for at least two days after that.”
Zeke grinned. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of her.”
