Page 46 of A Soldier's Destiny
Chapter 16
Faith and Lily were waiting in the parking lot to help Rori as she got out of the car. It brought tears to her eyes. She felt so alone when she’d first returned. Even though Anna offered to help with anything, she just couldn’t deal with anyone. Meeting Lily had been wonderful, and her friendship meant the world to her. She just hadn’t realized how much until that moment. As much as her life had sucked the last few years, she still had a lot to be thankful for, and the people standing around her were the reason.
“Thank you, all of you for being here for me.”
“Aww don’t cry, Rori. It’ll be okay the important part is that you’re alive.”
“I know. But for a few minutes there I didn’t think I would be. I still don’t know how you stayed so calm the entire time.”
Jasper shrugged and looked at Chase, then back at her. “Years of training, Angel.”
Faith nodded. “Chase is the same way. When I had my stalker in California, it was the same thing.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, one of these days I’ll tell you the gory details.”
“How about we continue this upstairs. I’d just as soon get Rori off her feet and in a protected area.”
“Yes, sir,” Lily said with a laugh but took Rori’s hand and helped her to the door.
Chase and Jasper held back a moment, and from the look on Jasper’s face, it wasn’t good news. Too bad she couldn’t hear them.
“C’mon. We’ll find out soon enough. Let’s just get you inside and cleaned up. Oh yeah, that reminds me. Chase, can you grab the casserole dishes out of the truck.”
Rori fished the keys out of her purse, and Faith unlocked the door while Lily held on to her arm, but before they could step inside, Jasper was there.
“Let me go in first and look around. You stay with Chase. I’ll be right back.”
Rori mumbled under her breath, “you’re kidding, right?”
“No, I’m not, Angel.” He kissed her forehead and disappeared inside the building. True to his word he was back a few minutes later, and for the first time she noticed he was favoring his side. “We’re good. Do you want me to carry you up?”
“No, I can do it myself. You’re hurt.” Could he be any more overprotective? But really, she couldn’t fault him. He’d saved her life. Twice. And he called her angel? He had it all wrong,hewas herguardian angel.
“I’m fine. It’s nothing.”
Just as the doctor warned, she was starting to hurt in places she didn’t know existed. “Whatever. I think I need a hot shower.”
“Are you sure? If you’re dizzy, it might not be the best idea.”
“I’ll help her. Is that okay, Rori?” Faith asked after she exchanged looks with Lily. Being nine months pregnant made it hard for her to move around much too.
“Thank you. That’d be great, although I’m sure I’ll be fine. I don’t feel dizzy at all.”
“If you guys throw the casseroles in the oven on three hundred fifty, they’ll be ready to eat by the time she’s all cleaned up.”
As soon as they got to Rori’s bedroom, Faith and Lily were full of questions. “So, I guess things are going well with the two of you? It’s not so bad having a bodyguard after all, huh?”
“Hey, my head is killing me. One question at a time. And no, I’m not going to tell you everything, so just forget it. A lady doesn’t kiss and tell.”
“We can tell just from the way he looks at you. And you have that glow even though you’re three shades of purple,” Lily said.
“Yup. So maybe you need to open your eyes, err eye. I don’t think you’ll be opening that left one for a few days,” Faith chimed in.
Rori turned to look in the mirror. “Oh my God.” No wonder her head hurt. Half her face was swollen and bruised, and her eye was swollen shut. “I’m a horror story.”
“No, you’re not. Cut it out. You were in a car accident. You’ll be fine in a few days.”
