“All right, you can go in and see her now,” the nurse said. “The room is kind of small, so let’s limit this to two at a time. She’s asking to see Regan and Brennan first, and then the rest of you can duke it out over who gets to go next.”
Brennan took the handles of Regan’s wheelchair and pushed her into the room. Cara lay there with her leg up in traction, looking pale, but she smiled when she saw them.
“Dang it, Cara, why’d you have to go and fall down a mountain?” Regan asked, reaching out and taking her friend’s hand.
“Why’d you have to go and stick your foot in a hole?” Cara squeezed her friend’s fingers. “Hey, babe.” She reached out for Brennan with her other hand.
“Hey, I have an idea,” Regan said. “The next time we go camping, let’s not.”
Brennan chuckled. “I think I’m ready for a break. You know, stuff like this doesn’t happen when it’s just me and Jesse.”
“I hope you’re not saying that girls are bad luck or anything unfortunate like that,” Cara said.
“Not at all. I just don’t want you thinking this is what we go through every time or you’d be worried about us when we head out again.”
“What about the tent and all our stuff?” Regan asked. “And I’m pretty sure there are some potatoes done to a royal crisp by now.”
“I called a camping buddy of mine who knows our spot, and he headed out to clean it all up,” Brennan explained. “Jesse may need to replace his Dutch oven, but everything else should be fine.”
Regan leaned forward a little. “Seriously, Cara, was it awful?”
Cara pulled a face. “I have to say, it was horrible. I’ve never been through anything like that before. But this guy kept me going.” She grinned up at Brennan. “And I owe so much to you and Jesse.”
“You had us scared to death.” Regan gave her hand another squeeze and then let go, leaning back to take the pressure off the hamstring leading down to her ankle. “And your mom, too. She’s outside, waiting her turn to come in.”
“We should probably send her in next,” Brennan said.
“Listen, Regan. Before you leave.” Cara’s expression became serious. “I need you to know something. The whole time I was up there on that mountain, I kept thinking about my blessings, and how incredible my life is, and your face kept showing up right in front of me. Do you have any idea how much your friendship means to me?”
Regan was surprised by the words, but also by the tears that sprang to her eyes. “I love you, Cara.”
“I love you. I wish I could stand up and hug you. Rain check on that.”
“Ditto.”
Cara gave a sigh. “Okay, now that I’ve said that, you can send my mother in. Stay nearby, though, in case she’s having one of her grumpy attacks.”
“Will do.” Brennan bent down and kissed her, and Regan looked away. It was too sweet to be spoiled by onlookers.
When Brennan and Regan reached the rest of the group, Regan saw that Max had joined them. As Cara’s singing partner and their good friend, of course he’d want to know what was going on, but Regan hadn’t even thought to call him. She was grateful to whoever had.
“So, you were on your way to elope when all this happened?” Max was saying to Morgan when Regan wheeled up to them.
“Yeah. Kind of melodramatic, huh?”
Max chuckled. “Kind of. No more melodramatic than you getting appendicitis while you were supposed to be telling Rory you love him, though.”
Morgan stuck her tongue out at him. “We’ll just do it another time. Laurie was pretty ticked that we hadn’t told anyone, though.”
“Laurie wasn’t the only one,” Regan chimed in.
“If you tell people, doesn’t that defeat the whole purpose of eloping?” Max asked.
“That’s what I’ve been saying.” Morgan shook her head. “Some people, right?”
Max looked thoughtful. “You know, when I came in, I walked right past the hospital chapel. Seems to me that a hospital chapel, where your poor broken friends could be there too, might be a good place for a wedding. I’m just sayin’.”
Regan’s gaze flew to Morgan’s face, wondering what her friend would think about that. It wasn’t the most traditional elopement ever, but Morgan had never been into traditional, and Rory would go along with whatever Morgan wanted.
“I think you’re kind of brilliant, Max,” Morgan said. “Let me go talk to Rory.” She bustled off down the hall, her high heels clacking on the floor.
“That was pretty brilliant,” Regan told Max.
He shrugged. “Par for the course. I am the fairy godfather for their relationship, you know.”
* * *
Just as Regan had suspected, Rory was more than happy to go along with the idea. He placed a quick call to Alana, figuring that since all Morgan’s friends were going to be there after all, he’d be a dead dog if he didn’t invite his sister. Because Morgan and Rory already had the marriage license, it was a simple business to arrange for the ceremony. Millie and Laurie went out to find a florist who could put together a bouquet on short notice, and there was a quiet, happy thrum of excitement in their group.
Regan and Jesse sat together in the waiting room, on the edges, but pitching in where needed. It’s not like there was a ton to do.
Jesse leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees. “How are you feeling?”
Regan shook her head. “That’s a pretty interesting question right now. I’m up and down and left and right and every which way. My ankle’s killing me, but I’m so grateful to be safe and warm, I can’t complain. I’m very glad Cara’s all right and I’m really happy for Morgan and Rory, but I’m still a little shaky from everything that happened. So I guess I’m mostly good, with some lingering trauma that I’m sure I’ll need therapy for at some point.” She noticed the dark circles under his eyes. “How are you?”
“Mostly the same, except without the badly sprained ankle.” He leaned back and looked at her, a tender expression on his face. “Hang in there. You’re doing great. And we can go to therapy together.”
Regan felt like an idiot. “You know what, I’ve been really unfair. I haven’t given any thought to how hard all this must have been for you.”
“Well, the hardest part was building that potty. The rest was easy.” He grinned. “Honestly, don’t worry about me. Seeing you doing so much better, I’m fine.”
Regan glanced around. They were alone in the waiting room, the hallway was quiet, she was showered and she’d brushed her teeth, and she figured now was as good a time as any. “Do you want to know why I sprained my ankle?”
Jesse raised an eyebrow. “Because you thought it would be fun? Or because you didn’t want Cara to get all the attention? Or because someone’s playing a huge practical joke on me and there are hidden cameras everywhere?”
Regan rolled her eyes. “No, silly. I got distracted and wasn’t watching where I was going. I was thinking about . . . something.”
“What were you thinking about?”
She took a deep breath. It was now or never—putting it off even longer would only make it harder. “I was thinking about you. And our kiss.” At his smirk, she rushed on. “And I was also thinking about what you said, how I wasn’t giving enough credit to the good guys of the world. You were right about all of it. Something bad happened to me and I’ll always carry that with me, but I shouldn’t blame every guy in the world for what one guy did.” She paused. “But mostly I was thinking about that kiss.”
Jesse wiped the smirk off his face and adopted an innocent expression. “If I may be so bold, just exactly what was it about the kiss that held your interest so much? I ask this purely for scientific research, of course.”
Regan was sure her face was about to set the curtains on fire. “Well, um, it was nice.”
“I see.” Jesse stroked his chin. “And do you always obsess like this over kisses that are just nice?”
“It was more than nice. It was . . .” How had
she gotten into this? Talk about awkward moments times ten. “It was different from any other kiss I’ve ever had. It was . . .” She held up her hands. “Oh, come on. This is too hard. You can’t expect me to give you a report card on what an awesome kisser you are.”
“It would be helpful, though. I mean, if I wanted to kiss you again, it would be a good reference point.”
Regan’s thoughts immediately jumped to the possibility of a second kiss, and she squelched them immediately. If she kissed him again, it would mean something, and she wasn’t sure if she was ready for something to mean what a kiss like that would mean.
“Anyway, the whole point of this conversation is to tell you I’m sorry. I misjudged you, and I was wrong to paint all men with the same brush as Glenn. You’re a good guy. And I especially appreciated how you said there were guys out there who would never push a girl faster than she wanted to go.”
Jesse nodded. “They do exist. In fact, there’s probably something I should tell you.” He reached a finger down into the collar of his shirt and pulled out a chain. On the end of it dangled a ring. “I don’t wear this on my finger because it gets caught on stuff too easily, and it’s a personal reminder to me and not necessarily something I want to make a big deal of in front of the whole world. I’ve been wearing this since I was about eighteen.” He unhooked the clasp and handed it to Regan so she could take a closer look.
It was a silver band with the word “purity” engraved on it. Regan turned it over in her hands a few times and looked up at him curiously.
“I don’t believe in playing around with sacred things, Regan,” he said. “Someday, the time will be right for me to take that ring off, but it will be because I’ve put another one on.”
“You’re waiting until marriage?” Regan asked.
“I am.”
Regan couldn’t believe it. A guy who was as good-looking as Jesse—no, forget it. As hot as Jesse—making a decision like that? He could have any girl he wanted, and yet, he wanted something more, something lasting, something meaningful and important and special. Her respect for him grew even more, and he became vastly hotter, which she hadn’t thought was possible.
“I don’t know what to say.” She handed the ring back, and he clasped it around his neck again, tucking it under his shirt.
“I just thought you’d like to know. It’s a real turn-off for some girls.”
Regan let her jaw drop. “What? No way. That’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever heard.”
“Really? A couple of girls have broken up with me because of it.”
Regan was shaking her head before he even finished his sentence. “I can’t understand why. They’re idiots.”
Jesse grinned, leaning forward on his elbows again, not breaking eye contact with her. “So, you like that, huh?”
“Um, yeah, I think I do. A lot. It makes me feel safe with you, and I think we’ve figured out what that means to me.” She toyed with a strand of hair that had drifted across her face. “You’re an amazing guy, Jesse.”
She expected a snarky retort, but was met by a softness in his eyes. “And you’re an amazing woman.”
* * *
That evening, the hospital chapel was transformed into a wedding location. Regan thought it was too bad that the sun had gone down—the stained-glass window would have been a wonderful addition to the décor—but everything looked lovely nonetheless. The nurses had rigged a way for Cara to be in attendance even though she was supposed to be down—they’d put her on a narrow gurney and maneuvered her in through the doors. Regan sat next to her in her wheelchair.
Millie and Laurie had outdone themselves, bringing in floral arrangements for each side of the room. Alana had created a cozy arrangement for the chairs, and she’d grabbed her camera on her way out the door so they’d have some snapshots that were a little nicer than the ones you can take with cell phones. Brennan had downloaded a recording of the “Wedding March” onto his iPod, and they were all set to go.
The music began, and Rory took his place at the front next to the pastor. Morgan entered the chapel, holding her bouquet of flowers in front of her, leaning on Logan’s arm. He’d arrived just moments before, wearing a dapper dark suit. As he escorted her up to the front, Regan had to wipe her eyes. This was the weirdest and most beautiful wedding she’d ever been to.
The pastor was a kindly older gentleman who didn’t go in for a lot of pomp and circumstance, but he counseled Morgan and Rory to love each other beyond any trial or affliction they could face. Then he went into the ceremony, and just moments later, Morgan and Rory were pronounced man and wife.
“She looks great, doesn’t she?” Regan whispered to Jesse, who sat on her other side.
“I was looking at Rory. There’s a man who knows the good thing he has,” Jesse whispered back, and it was true. Rory’s face couldn’t possibly have beamed any brighter than it was.
Chapter Ten
Regan was bored. She’d never, ever, ever been more bored in her life. After the wedding, she’d been released from the hospital and sent home to rest. Cara would still be there for another week, Laurie was off visiting her, and Morgan, of course, was on her honeymoon. Quinn had been by to see her, bringing her a box of chocolate chip cookies, which made Regan remember the tiramisu Jesse had promised her. She’d also gotten a visit from Lexi, one from Alana, and another from Leslie. They’d all brought her books and movies and treats, and they were spoiling her rotten, but the fact was, she was just plain bored. She needed something different to do or read or see.
Alex and Bryce came by around five o’clock. “Hey, we brought you some dinner,” Bryce said. “We don’t cook, so it’s takeout from the diner. Is that okay? Sloane said she made it especially for you.”
“That’s great, guys. Thanks. How did you know I could use it?”
Alex chuckled. “Laurie sent us a text and told us you were here alone today. She said she was marshalling all your friends to check in on you.”
“Oh, so that’s why I’ve been Miss Popular today.” Regan shook her head. “Laurie’s something else.”
“Yeah, I wish I had a friend who’d do something like that for me,” Bryce said.
“We wish we could stay longer, but we’re showing the gallery to a potential new artist. We should be done in a couple of hours, though, if you need anything,” Alex told her, edging slightly toward the door.
“Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it. I’m sure I’ll be fine, though.” Regan nodded toward the stack of entertainment on the coffee table. “I’ve been well provided for.”
The brothers said good-bye and closed the door behind themselves, and Regan hobbled back to the couch on her crutches. Hmm. While You Were Sleeping. Alana laughed when she handed it over, saying that the wedding scene reminded her a lot of Morgan and Rory’s ceremony. That one would be fun to watch. She pulled her laptop onto the couch and had just pulled up the movie when she heard another knock at the door.
Was it worth it to get back up? She’d just gotten comfy. But then she heard Jesse’s voice. “It’s me, Regan.”
“Hold on,” she called out. It was crazy how her heartbeat sped up, knowing it was there. She’d missed him like crazy all day. Sure, she understood that he had a business to run and he’d had to go in and make sure nothing had gone horribly amiss while he was gone, but knowing that didn’t make her less lonely for him.
She got up, balancing on one foot, and got herself over to the door. When she opened it, the sight of Jesse took her breath away. He leaned against the doorframe, that irresistible grin on his face.
“Hey,” he said. “How are you doing?”
“I’m bored out of my mind,” Regan told him. “Laurie’s visiting Cara, and I’m staring at walls and stuff. Come in and save me.”
Jesse grinned again. “Nope. I’m fine out here.”
“What do you mean? My porch is hardly the most comfortable place ever.”
“Ah, yes, but you have a rule that I can’t home in if
you’re home alone.”
Regan snorted. “Oh, come on. I trust you. It’s okay.”
Jesse leaned in, his breath tickling her cheek. “Do you know why you can trust me?” he whispered in her ear.
“Because you’re wonderful and amazing?” she whispered back.
“No. Because I keep the rules.” He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. “This is the most pleasant porch I’ve ever seen.”
“Well, if you’re not coming in, I’m coming out.” Regan hobbled through the doorway, stood on the porch facing him, then pitched her crutches to the side and flung herself into his arms. She totally initiated this kiss, and she put into it all the feeling she could. How had she been so lucky to find this guy who so perfectly understood her and was not only willing to respect her boundaries, but had set the same boundaries for himself years ago before they’d even met?
He smiled against her mouth. “I take it you’re glad to see me.”
She pulled back and looked into his eyes. “Yeah. Remember, I told you how bored I am?”
“Oh, I see. I’m just the entertainment. I’m the show that comes after dinner.”
“Pretty much, yeah.” She was about to say something else, but he kissed her again, and she completely forgot what she was going to say.
He broke off the kiss, then reached behind and pulled over a lawn chair that had been shoved into the corner of the porch. She’d forgotten it was even there. He positioned it right behind her, then helped her to sit. “I don’t imagine you want to be balancing on one foot the rest of your life.”
“I don’t know. If you’re there to hold me up, it might be okay.” She’d meant to sound flippant and funny, but there was an undercurrent of permanence in her words, like maybe this relationship might last longer than just a day or a week. And she was okay with that.
“Hey, I came over tonight to bring you a couple of presents.”
Between The Lines (Main Street Merchants Book 5) Page 9