Page 136 of Lone Star Longing
Javi met her gaze, his own expression solemn. “They won’t be needing a doctor.”
A moment passed before she got his meaning, and she lifted a hand to her mouth in shock. Beck took that hand and pulled her close to him, between his legs as he sat on the exam table. He bent his head to hers and breathed her in for a long minute.
“Javi, I’m sorry,” Beck said over her head.
“Yeah, thanks, man. At least I’ve had one happy ending today. I’ll talk to y’all soon.”
Beck loosened his hold on Lacey. “Go home to the babies. Austin will take me home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She frowned, disappointment that he would go home to his place instead of coming to hers. She didn't want to leave him, but her body was telling her she needed to take care of her babies. “All right. Call me with the results of the x-rays, or if you have to go to San Angelo.”
“Lacey,” he said as she turned to walk out the door. “Thank you for coming to get me.”
She crossed the room, took his face in her hands, and kissed him hard, not caring that Austin and Javi were right there.
“I just found you. I’m not going to lose you now.”
*****
LACEY WAS JUST TOWELINGoff after a long hot shower, when she heard voices in the living room. She dressed as quickly as she could and hurried into the other room to see her mother and Beck sitting on the couch, Beck holding Emily though his other arm was in a sling.
He looked up and smiled when she appeared in the doorway, pushing her hair back from her face.
“You got the all-clear? I thought you were going home?”
“I was, but I decided I’d rather be here with you and the babies. I came all this way for you, anyway.”
She sat in the chair, on the edge because the tension she’d washed from her body had returned. “What did Austin say?”
“He said I’m really lucky that I had a brave woman who risked everything to come after me.”
“I was so scared. You didn't come and you didn't come, and then your mom called. I didn't know what else to do.”
“Lace, Austin showed me how you climbed up the truck to get to me.”
“I told you, I didn’t know what else to do.”
He shifted Emily on his lap so he could reach over and take her hand. “I know how you hate that weather, driving in that weather.”
“Doubly, now,” she said with a rough laugh.
“Are you okay?” he asked, dropping his gaze to the butterfly bandages on her shin.
“I’m fine. I’m going to be fine.” She touched her fingers to the stitches along his hairline. “You’ve got to be tired. Why don't I make up my bed for you, and you can get some sleep. We can talk in the morning.”
“No, thanks, sweetheart, but your mom said she’d take me home. You get some sleep, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Awkwardly, with one hand, he transferred Emily to Lacey’s arms, kissed Emily’s forehead, then Lacey’s lips before he headed toward the door.
“I’ll be right back,” her mom said.
“Be careful,” Lacey said. “I’ve done my rescue for the day.”
Her mother raised her hand in acknowledgement before leading Beck outside.
