Page 67 of SEAL's Angel
She sucked in a breath and searched his face. “I told you why on the first day I visited.”
“That’s not an answer. You don’t want this version of me. I’m never going to be the man I was.”
“I don’t care what version I get, as long as I have you. Don’t you know that already? You will always be my sexy badass. Although, lately it’s been more of a grumpy badass.”
When he chuckled again, Dawn couldn’t stop herself. She put the book down and pulled the chair up to the hospital bed. Then, with her heart about to beat out of her chest, she tentatively reached out to touch his hand.
Jake didn’t pull away. Instead, he twined his fingers with hers. “Angel?”
She lifted her gaze to his, trying to blink away the tears, but one escaped and slid down her cheek. “Jake, don’t you know I’m in love with you? I have been for so long. I was just too scared to notice.” Dawn didn’t know how he’d react to her words, but he needed to know. Even if he didn’t return her feelings.
“How can you love this?” Jake’s expression was incredulous.
“Becausethishas nothing to do with what’s in here.” She put her hand over her heart.
“You could do so much better.”
“Don’t tell me what I need. I’ve got that covered. It’s okay if you don’t love me back. But I’m still not leaving.” Dawn grinned.
He didn’t say anything else, but he’d kept holding her hand while she read.
“See you tomorrow, badass,” she said. “Maybe I’ll get a smile yet.” Then she blew him a kiss and walked out of his room.
She barely made it to the restroom before bursting into happy tears. He’d held her hand and talked to her. And not just about a book. She’d almost given up hope that she’d get through to him. Wondered if he’d ever come back to her.
Nurse Emily opened the door to the restroom a moment later as Dawn stood by the sinks and cried.
“Are you okay, Dawn? Did something happen with the Lieutenant Commander?”
Dawn nodded and her face broke into a huge smile. “He held my hand. It’s the first time he’s touched me since he left my house in Colorado. I was wondering if I should just give up. But he touched me.”
“That’s wonderful. You’ve made such a difference in his recovery. He’s doing the work, healing himself. He’s on fewer pain meds and has more mobility. He knows your routine and makes sure he’s back in bed when you’re going to arrive,” the nurse told her.
“Really? He’s improved that much?”
“Yes, the doctors are talking about releasing him by Christmas, but he can’t be alone, so he’ll probably transfer to a rehab facility.”
“Does he need to go there? Could he just go home if he’s not alone?” Dawn felt genuine hope for the first time since she’d gotten the call from Rafe about the explosion.
“The doctor would have to decide that, but with how well Jake is doing, I don’t see why not,” Emily said with a smile.
“Jake wouldn’t be alone. I’m living in his house with my two children. He’d be going home to family.” Even as Dawn said the words, she knew they were true. But would Jake want to live with her and the kids?
* * *
Jake checked the clock for the fifth time. Where was she? Dawn showed up every day by two p.m. It was two forty-five and no sign of her. He was sitting in the recliner in his room today, hoping to see her smile when she walked in.
After yesterday’s visit, when she confessed to loving him, he couldn’t stop thinking about the possibilities. Could she really love him? Dawn had never hidden her emotions. Every one of them showed on her face, and yesterday was no different.
At first, it had pissed him off that she wouldn’t listen to him and go away. But as the days and weeks went by, he realized how much her visits meant to him. His anger dissipated and so did his need for the pain meds. He’d felt almost normal for the first time since the explosion.
But when she’d moved closer and touched his hand, he smelled her peach shampoo. He’d had to hold back his groan. Then she said the words, and the wall he built around his heart to keep her out crumbled into a pile of rubble.
A week ago, he’d finally seen his injuries. He’d never look the same again. He’d had scars before from knives and even bullets, but nothing like this. He didn’t want her pity or anyone else’s. How could she feel anything else when she saw him?
Another five minutes had passed, and he worried something had happened to her. He needed to call her, but there was no phone in his room at his request. He’d have to go out to the nurses’ station and see if he could use one of theirs.
Using what he’d learned in PT, he slowly pushed up with his arms to stand up. Then walked out of his room to find Dawn standing by the nurses’ station with Nurse Emily.
