Page 121 of Faith
Zeke took the steps slowly, one at a time, and would never admit it, but he was thankful Mont was there in case he lost his balance.
The bullet ripped a hole through Zeke’s abdomen and tried to dump his guts all over the fucking place. The way he landed kept things inside. That and the paramedics that saved his damn life.
And Nina. He dreamed about her when he was in surgery, and every night after. She never left his side in the hospital. The nurses wheeled in a pullout chair for her to sleep in at night and treated her like she was his wife.
Zeke was past ready to make that reality.
Montgomery drove the three of them, Zeke in the front and Nina in the back out of his reach. Zeke hated not having his hand on her, but he would again soon.
“I’m glad you two were ready to go. I didn’t want to hear anything that would have made me want to burn my ears off,” Mont teased.
“You walk in on that and your key privileges are gone.”
“I walk in on that and I’ll leave the key on my way out.” Mont reached his fist out for Zeke, who bumped it with his.
“Did you two just fist-bump about sex with me?” Nina asked from the back.
“Aw, come on. Did you have to say it like that?” Mont cried.
“So worth it.”
Mont chuckled and shook his head. “It’s good to have you back, Nina. And I’m happy you two are together.”
“Thanks, Mont,” Zeke said. Of all the things Zeke and Mont had shared over the years, keeping how much he loved Nina from Mont had never sat right with Zeke. Mont came to thehospital one day and asked about it. Zeke didn’t lie. He told Montgomery he’d been in love with Nina forever and intended to marry her.
Montgomery gave Zeke his blessing and said there was no one else who would take better care of his sister.
Zeke admitted he worried Montgomery would think Zeke wasn’t good enough for Nina, but Montgomery told him he was crazy. With that conversation out of the way, Zeke wasn’t willing to wait to marry Nina. And Mont helped put the first part of his plan into motion.
Tonight.
Mont pulled into the long driveway, and all three of them gasped.
“Wow. It’s so beautiful,” Nina said, her voice soft and dreamy.
“Yeah, it is,” Mont agreed.
Zeke had never seen anything like it. The driveway was lined with brightly lit trees, leading the way to Dawn’s mansion. The house glowed with lights strung from the gutters and outlining each of the windows. A pile of gifts glowed from the front porch, and more lit trees spotted the expansive yard.
“They went all out,” Zeke said.
“It’s impressive.” Nina scrambled out of the SUV and opened Zeke’s door, offering him his cane and wrapping her arm through his good arm once he closed his door.
The three of them walked up the front steps, slowly for Zeke’s sake, Mont carrying the bags of gifts they all chipped in for.
Cole, Dawn’s caretaker, opened the door before they made it to the front and welcomed them in. “Good evening, everyone. Can I take your coats?” They’d all gotten to know Cole over the last few weeks. He was kind and dedicated to Dawn, just like he’d been to his previous boss.
“Thank you, Cole. How are you tonight?” Mont asked as he unbuttoned his coat.
“I’m well, thank you, sir. How are all of you?”
“Good,” they said together.
“Excellent. The others are in the sunroom. Ms. Dawn has all the supplies in there.” Cole gathered their coats and nodded to the hallway.
“Thank you, Cole,” Mont said for them.
Mont led the way, the massive bag of gifts in his hand once more. Zeke felt guilty for not helping Mont carry anything. He should be helping. He should have been doing something.
