Page 53 of Texas Daze (Texas Montgomery Mavericks)

Someone fitted a hat onherhead.

“Now, try to openyoureyes.”

Marti opened her lids just enough to see Eli leaningoverher.

“Hey. You scared all of us.” He took her hand and brought it to his mouth for a kiss. “I am so glad to see yourbeautifuleyes.”

“Don’t have beautiful eyes,” shecoughedout.

He smiled. “They look like diamonds to me.” He held her hand tightly against is chest. “Do you know whereyouare?”

“Heaven?”

He laughed. “Close. Whispering Springs Hospital. Do you remember thewreck?”

She closed her eyes. Tried to remember. “I remember you dancing with Delene and then I left.” Opening her eyes, she said, “Why did you dance with my friend?” Before he could reply, she added, “Youloveme?”

“I love you so much ithurts.”

“Why didn’t youtellme?”

“I tried. You wouldn’tletme.”

She closed her eyes. “Sorry.”

“Do you remember theaccident?”

“A deer. Ran into my truck. I thought Iwasdead.”

“Not dead. The deer lost the fight but you were prettybangedup.”

“Ihurt.”

“Right nowyouhurt?”

“No. I hurt when I left the bar. I wasn’t drunk. I hadn’t even had adrinkyet.”

“I know, darling. You don’t have to talkrightnow.”

“Throat’ssore.”

“Yeah. The ET tube candothat.”

“Am I going to die? Is that why youarehere?”

“Open your eyes and look at me.” She did. “You are not dying. You broke your left leg, your shoulder and some ribs. We had to take you to surgery to set your leg and shoulder. You are veryverylucky.”

“Did you do thesurgery?”

“Doctors don’t operate on familymembers.”

“I’m not yourfamily.”

“You will be. I do love you, Marti. You’ve had me in a daze since the first day I met you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.Marryme.”

It was painful but she shook her head. “Can’t. I love you but I would make you miserable. Don’t likeNewYork.”

“I thought a prestigious job and a fancy city would make me happy. It didn’t. You make me happy. Where you are is where I will be. If it’s Whispering Springs, Texas, then that’s where I am. If it’s McCarthy, Alaska, I’mthere.”

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