Meghan just nodded, her throat tight. Her family ended up in this goddamn waiting room too many times. In the past two years, they had bled, been through treatments, and taken years off her life. This had to be the last one. She didn’t know if she could handle it again.
As long as Luc was all right though, she knew she’d find the will to handle anything.
Another thirty minutes passed after the trio left, and Meghan found herself sitting by each family member, Luc’s family, and even Jake. Jake just held her, knowing she needed it. He didn’t give her a pitying look, though, only whispered she could do this, she could do anything.
Luc’s sisters sat together, their hands clasped as they whispered in prayer. Tessa wouldn’t look at her, but Meghan couldn’t find the energy to care. She already blamed herself as it was. She didn’t need Tessa to do it as well. Yes, Richard had pulled the trigger, but Luc had been the one to step in front of her, taking the bullet meant for her.
“Dodd family?” An older man in scrubs came through the door, and every single person stood up. The man’s eyes widened at the sight of so many people—many of them large, bearded, and inked—in one spot.
Meghan couldn’t speak. And as she wasn’t married to Luc, Maggie and Marcus had to be the ones to do so. The law didn’t care about love and promise, only paperwork and blood ties.
“That’s us,” Marcus answered, his voice firm, deep, so much like Luc’s that Meghan wanted to cry. He looked over his shoulder at everyone and held out a hand. Meghan gripped it like a lifeline, coming to his side while Maggie stood on the other. “All of us.”
The doctor nodded. “Luc is stable and out of surgery.”
He continued on, explaining something about a punctured lung and other injuries that hadn’t been as severe, but Meghan couldn’t hear it all. She blinked, her vision blurring. Her ears hummed, a loud buzzing sound growing with each breath. Her knees shook, and suddenly she was in Griffin’s arms, his hand on her face.
“Meghan?” Griffin asked, his hand cupping her cheek. “Meghan? Did you hear? He’s okay. He’s going to be fine. A hundred percent after he recuperates. Meghan?”
She tried to speak, but everything she’d been holding in threatened to burst.
Vaguely she heard the doctor come near her and check her pulse. “Has she eaten?” he asked.
Her family answered for her, and she struggled for breath. Damn it. She’d passed out, bringing the focus to herself rather than on Luc like it should have been. She waved everyone off and tried to stand. Griffin pulled her up to her feet, worry etched on his face.
“I’m fine,” she said, her mouth so dry she felt as if she’d swallowed cotton. “I just got overwhelmed.” She took a deep breath then stood without aid. “I’m fine,” she repeated. “Sorry for scaring everyone. When can we see him? Or did you say that when I was out of it?”
The doctor leveled her a look. “Drink some fluid and get something in your stomach, young lady. Doctor’s orders.”
“We’ll take care of her,” Meghan’s mother said from behind her.
The doctor nodded. “Good. See that you do. As for Mr. Dodd, he’s in the ICU for the evening, and you will be able to go in two at a time tomorrow to see him.”
Meghan shook her head. “Tomorrow?”
“Yes, tomorrow all of you can see him. As for tonight, I’ll let two of you go now to see him for five minutes, but that’s it. He’s still under and will need time and rest in order to heal. We’ll go over the technical aspects of his recovery soon.”
Meghan’s heart ached, but she didn’t move forward when the doctor stepped back toward the door. Luc’s parents deserved to see him. Meghan could see him in the morning. She could be that strong.
Marcus, evidently, had other plans. He kissed her temple and put Meghan’s hand in his wife’s. “Go see my boy and tell him we’ll be here for him.”
Her eyes widened. “But…”
“No buts, young lady. He’s yours. I know that. Be strong for my son, Meghan.”
“I’ll try,” she said softly, tears threatening again. She still hadn’t cried, wasn’t sure she could without breaking down completely.
She gripped Maggie’s hand tightly and followed the doctor back through the long hallways as patients, nurses, staff, and other doctors went about their business around them.
By the time they made it to where Luc slept, her pulse was beating loudly in her ears.
“Sweet Jesus,” Marie whispered beside her, and Meghan held the other woman’s hand for dear life.
Tubes and wires seemed to connect to almost every part of his body, though she knew that wasn’t the case. Someone had pulled a blanket up over his chest but under his arms so the darkness of his skin lay stark against it. The doctor had said he’d wake up soon and would be able to live a normal, healthy life. None of the damage was permanent; it had just scared her to death.
They weren’t allowed to touch him, but Maggie leaned over her son, whispering a prayer. Meghan stood on the other side of him, resisting the urge to hold his hand. She didn’t want to hurt him, didn’t want to do anything to hamper his recovery.
“Come back to me, Luc. Come back to us. I…I love you, Luc Dodd. You don’t get to leave me.” The numbness that had allowed her to function started to wear off, and she knew she had to get out of there soon or she’d break down in front of the world.
A single tear fell down her cheek, but she didn’t brush it away—nor would she let another tear fall. By the time they were forced to leave him alone, her body shook, but she still didn’t break. Griffin drove her to Austin’s after she said her goodbyes to the others. She knew her voice was wooden, her actions stiff, but she couldn’t function until Luc woke up. They wouldn’t let her sleep there, wouldn’t let her hold him.
“The kids are asleep in Leif’s room,” Sierra said softly, reaching out once Meghan walked inside. “It took a while, but they finally passed out.”
“Meghan,” Austin said simply and held out his arms. Meghan let her big brother hold her, but she, again, didn’t break. Instead, she pulled away after a moment and met her brother’s eyes.
“Can I take a bath?” she asked, knowing she needed to be alone.
Austin gave her a weird look but nodded. “Of course. You can use Sierra’s and mine. It’s big and has jets.”
“Anything will be fine,” she whispered.
She followed him back to the master bath and watched as he pulled out a towel for her, his movements slow, as if he was afraid of scaring her away.
“I’m fine, Austin. I just need a moment or two alone and I’ll be better.” She raised her chin, her hands shaking. “He almost died,” she whispered. “He almost died, and Richard was the one who did it.”
Austin pinched her chin, the pain bringing her out of her head. “That bastard is on his way to jail as soon as he’s caught. He won’t hurt you and yours again. As for Luc? He’s not dead. You know I went through hell with Sierra, and Decker did the same with Miranda. We all healed, and you will do the same. I know you love that man, and he’s like a brother to me as well. He’s safe, Meghan.”
She licked her lips, her body trembling. “I…I know that. Our family though? I’m tired of doctors.”
“I know, babe, I know. Now take a bath, cry, drink some water or wine or whatever you need Sierra and me to bring you, and know we’re here for you when you get out. I know it would be weird if Griffin and I were in here, but you know Sierra would be here in a heartbeat if you need her.”
She put her hand on Austin’s broad chest. “I know. Thank you, Austin.”
“You’re a Montgomery, Meghan. Never forget that. We don’t.”
With that, he kissed her on the nose then left the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Meghan turned on the taps on the bath, letting the hot water steam in the room. She stripped down, remembering the last time she’d taken a bath when she felt like this.
The day Richard left her she’d put her babies to bed and had taken
a bath so she could break down. Now, she slid into the bath, the hot water burning but just enough that it made her feel.
Tears slid down her cheeks as she wept once again like she had before, but this time for a man she truly loved. A man who’d almost been taken away because he loved her so much he’d risked his life for her.
Her body shook in the hot water as she sobbed.
He was alive.
He breathed.
He’d be okay.
He was hers.
Meghan wouldn’t wait any longer for him, wouldn’t take the slow course when it came to having Luc in her life. She’d almost lost him once, twice if she counted his leaving town. She wouldn’t lose him again.
Luc Dodd was hers, forever and after.
Hers.
****
One Month Later
Luc rolled his eyes as Sasha did a little dance in his living room. No, make that their living room. Meghan and the kids had moved into his place as soon as Luc was able to come home from the hospital. They hadn’t slept another night in the home where Richard had destroyed the sense of peace they once had.
Luc’s fist tightened at the thought of the bastard who now sat in prison, his court case coming up. There was no doubt the man was guilty, and they had sufficient evidence to prove it. Now all that was left was to see how long he would spend behind bars.
Well, that and get Richard to sign over all parental rights so Luc could adopt Sasha and Cliff as his own.
One thing at a time though. First, he had to marry their mother. He smiled at that thought. He still hadn’t proposed, though he wanted to. Every time he got close, he’d stop, wondering if he was going too fast. Then he’d kick himself, considering he knew how short life could be, the bullet that had sliced into his lung being evidence for that.
Meghan walked into the living room, her smile bright and her arm around a laughing Cliff. “Pizza for dinner okay tonight?”
“Sounds good to me,” Luc answered, kissing her when she sat down next to him on the couch. He still wasn’t a hundred percent, but he was getting there. Having Meghan by his side helped.
“Good because I’m craving cheese,” she said with a laugh.
“Weirdo,” he whispered then let out a sigh when she leaned on his uninjured side. She’d been so careful not to touch him that these touches now meant the world to him.
“Your weirdo,” she said back.
“True.” He met Cliff’s eyes, and the little boy gave Luc a quick nod. It wasn’t the most romantic place, but damn if it wasn’t perfect anyway
He pulled away from Meghan and smiled. “I love you.”
She frowned at him. “I love you too. What’s wrong?”
He snorted. “Why does anything have to be wrong?” He reached under the pillow on the couch and pulled out a jewelry box.
“Oh, my God,” Meghan whispered, her eyes filling with tears. “Yes. You know the answer is yes.”
“Seriously? You’re not even going to let me ask the question? I’ve been waiting a decade to have you as mine, and you won’t even let me ask?”
“She said yes, Luc!” Sasha squealed and danced again, bringing her brother into it. Cliff, with the reluctance of an older brother, let her twirl him around.
“Why don’t you ask so I can say yes again?” Meghan whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“We haven’t been together that long, Meghan, but you’re my everything. You’re already in my home, my heart, and my life. Now, please, be my wife.”
“You rhymed!” Sasha giggled, and Luc crossed his eyes at her.
“Did you mean to rhyme?” Meghan asked.
He let out a soft curse, and Meghan slapped his knee. “No, I didn’t, but the message is the same. Love me, Meghan. Marry me.”
“Yes,” she said quickly then cupped his face, her lips soft, wanting.
He bit her lower lip then pulled back. “Damn it, Meghan, I love you. You realize that, right? I love you with everything I have and those kids too. I’m so glad I came back to Denver to see my best friend. So fucking glad.”
She patted his cheek and smiled. “You’re my best friend, Luc, then and now. It took me too long to realize that I had everything I wanted in my life without looking. I’m blessed with you, even if it took me too long to find the words to say it.” She winked. “Though this means you have to get the Montgomery tattoo.”
He snorted. “You’re going to be a Dodd, sugar. Why should I get a tattoo?”
“I’ll be Meghan Montgomery-Dodd because, babe, once a Montgomery, always a Montgomery.”
He brought her closer, careful of his injury. “That I can live with, sugar. Montgomery ink and all.” He had his best friend and lover in his arms, their children laughing beside them, and a life filled with more than he could have hoped for.
It had taken a decade of wandering for him to realize that life for him lived within Denver and within this woman’s arms. Sometimes it took more than a word, more than hope and a prayer.
Sometimes it took ink, blood, and tears—a sacrifice worth that and more.
Coming Next in the Montgomery Ink Series:
Griffin gets a story of his own in WRITTEN IN INK
A Note from Carrie Ann
Thank you so much for reading HARDER THAN WORDS. I do hope if you liked this story, that you would please leave a review. Not only does a review spread the word to other readers, they let us authors know if you’d like to see more stories like this from us. I love hearing from readers and talking to them when I can. If you want to make sure you know what’s coming next from me, you can sign up for my newsletter at www.CarrieAnnRyan.com; follow me on twitter at @CarrieAnnRyan, or like my Facebook page. I also have a Facebook Fan Club where we have trivia, chats, and other goodies. You guys are the reason I get to do what I do and I thank you.
Make sure you’re signed up for my MAILING LIST so you can know when the next releases are available as well as find giveaways and FREE READS.
The Montgomery Ink series is an on going series. I hope you get a chance to catch up!
Montgomery Ink:
Book 0.5: Ink Inspired
Book 0.6: Ink Reunited
Book 1: Delicate Ink
Book 1.5 Forever Ink
Book 2: Tempting Boundaries
Book 3: Harder than Words
Book 4: Written in Ink (Coming Soon)
About Carrie Ann and her Books
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan never thought she’d be a writer. Not really. No, she loved math and science and even went on to graduate school in chemistry. Yes, she read as a kid and devoured teen fiction and Harry Potter, but it wasn’t until someone handed her a romance book in her late teens that she realized that there was something out there just for her. When another author suggested she use the voices in her head for good and not evil, The Redwood Pack and all her other stories were born.
Carrie Ann is a bestselling author of over twenty novels and novellas and has so much more on her mind (and on her spreadsheets *grins*) that she isn’t planning on giving up her dream anytime soon.
www.CarrieAnnRyan.com
Redwood Pack Series:
Book 1: An Alpha’s Path
Book 2: A Taste for a Mate
Book 3: Trinity Bound
Book 3.5: A Night Away
Book 4: Enforcer’s Redemption
Book 4.5: Blurred Expectations
Book 4.7: Forgiveness
Book 5: Shattered Emotions
Book 6: Hidden Destiny
Book 6.5: A Beta’s Haven
Book 7: Fighting Fate
Book 7.5 Loving the Omega
Book 7.7: The Hunted Heart
Book 8: Wicked Wolf
The Talon Pack (Following the Redwood Pack Series):
Book 1: Tattered Loyalties
Book 2: An Alpha’s Choice (Coming Aug 2015)
Book 3: Mated in Mist (Coming Soon)
The Redwood Pack Volumes:
&
nbsp; Redwood Pack Vol 1
Redwood Pack Vol 2
Redwood Pack Vol 3
Redwood Pack Vol 4
Redwood Pack Vol 5
Redwood Pack Vol 6
Dante’s Circle Series:
Book 1: Dust of My Wings
Book 2: Her Warriors’ Three Wishes
Book 3: An Unlucky Moon
The Dante’s Circle Box Set (Contains Books 1-3)
Book 3.5: His Choice
Book 4: Tangled Innocence
Book 5: Fierce Enchantment
Book 5.5: Fallen for Alphas (Coming Soon)
Book 6: An Immortal’s Song (Coming Soon)
Montgomery Ink:
Book 0.5: Ink Inspired
Book 0.6: Ink Reunited
Book 1: Delicate Ink
Book 1.5 Forever Ink
Book 2: Tempting Boundaries
Book 3: Harder than Words
Book 4: Written in Ink (Coming Soon)
The Branded Pack Series:
(Written with Alexandra Ivy)
Books 1 & 2: Stolen and Forgiven (Coming Aug 2015)
Books 3 & 4: Abandoned and Unseen (Coming Sept 2015)
Holiday, Montana Series:
Book 1: Charmed Spirits
Book 2: Santa’s Executive
Book 3: Finding Abigail
The Holiday Montana Box Set (Contains Books 1-3)
Book 4: Her Lucky Love
Book 5: Dreams of Ivory
Excerpt: Alluring Ink
Ink is forever. So is love. Try Ranae Rose’s Inked in the Steel City Series and get to know the staff of the Hot Ink Tattoo Studio as they find love in the Steel City.
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