by Kaci Rose
So, I email the rehab home back and get everything set up for a visit. The owner insists I stay with them, so it makes travel plans easy.
I go to bed with a smile on my face. Things are starting to fall into place, and I know longer feel like my life is on hold, as I try to figure out my next steps. I’m taking my next steps, and I can’t wait to see where they lead.
Chapter 27
Noah
When Lexi walks into the room today, she has a huge smile on her face, and it’s contagious.
“Hey, angel,” I say and kiss her, as she sits on the couch next to me.
“Well, the house plans are in motion, and so many people are willing to help out, that it should be done sooner than I expected. Johnny and Becky will be in to see you tomorrow because I have to go on a work trip for a few days. But we can talk on the phone every night.”
I hate the idea of being away from her, but I don’t want to stop her from doing what she needs to or wants to either.
“So, tell me more about these house plans,” I say.
“Well, there are two empty rooms near the master. One will be set up like a home gym with stuff your doctor recommended, and the other as whatever you want. For now, I have it as a makeshift living room dining area, so you don’t have to go to the other side of the house. I even ordered you a folding wheelchair to explore the house, even though I know you hate using it.”
“I do, but I’ll use it to be near you.”
“Well, I have to head out and get packed for my trip. It was kind of last minute.”
“Be safe, angel.”
“Always.” She smiles and leans in to kiss me.
I need more of her, so I pull her into my lap and deepen the kiss.
“Going to miss you.”
“Me too, and I promise to hurry back.” She says, and with one more kiss, gets up and leaves.
I watch her go, and as soon as she’s gone, the nerves hit me again. Moving in with her is a big step, and it could change everything. The thought of not having to say goodbye and being able to hold her in my arms every night is exciting, but I don’t want her to get tired of taking care of me. Right then, I vow to do everything I can to get better faster for her.
Officially bored, I get in my wheelchair and go to the rehab wing to see Easton. I stop in the doorway and knock.
He turns to look at me but says nothing, just nods his head.
“Got myself a new mug. It’s still weird to look in the mirror, but Lexi likes it, and since she has to look at me every day, I guess that’s all that matters.” I tell him.
He turns and studies my face. “They did a good job.”
“Yeah, hurt like a son of a bitch, though. I just kept thinking I have to be crazy to choose this kind of pain after everything.”
Easton just nods.
“Lexi is going to be gone for a few days for work. Is it okay if I came to visit more, while she’s gone?”
Again, he just nods his head. So, I launch into the story of how last time Lexi was gone her brother had me watching those pawn shop shows one after another, and how they had to be staged, and why I wondered was there that much interest in pawn shops.
When they bring dinner, I head back to my room. I need to talk to Lexi about coming back to visit with Easton. I don’t like the idea of him sitting here and having no visitors after I leave. I’m sure she won’t mind.
It will be easier to visit him tomorrow, anyway, once they move my room. I start making some plans for my time away from Lexi. The more I have to do, the less I can worry.
* * *
Lexi
I’m so lost in thought leaving the hospital that I almost trip over the cutest dog. I look up and find a girl about my age, trying to pull the dog out of the way.
“I’m sorry. I was preoccupied.” I apologize.
“It’s okay. Molly here doesn’t always pay attention either.” She says.
“I didn’t know they allowed dogs in the hospital.”
“Well, she’s a therapy dog, and I come in when I can. I try for once a week, and let the guys spend some time with her, it seems to help. I’m Paisley by the way.” She holds out her hand.
I shake it, “Lexi.”
“You should ask to see Noah Carr. He’s my boyfriend. He’ll be coming home soon, but I have to go out of town for a few days, so he could use the company.”
“I’ll ask about him for sure.”
“Can I pet her?” I ask, pointing to the dog.
“Yep, she’s off duty now!” Paisley says.
I lean down and pet Molly, a golden retriever, who eats it right up. “Aren’t you an attention hound?” I say while petting her. Then, my to-do list flashes into my mind, so I stand up and offer Paisley a smile. “Well, I hope I’ll see you around.”
When I get home, my mom and dad are there, and we go over the plans for the rooms over dinner, while I pack.
“I’m so proud of you for doing this, letting someone back in.” My dad says.
I can tell he’s excited to have something to do. Mom has been keeping a tight leash on him, since his surgery.
The next day Becky takes me to the airport, and I’m off to Texas. The owners Judy and Keith meet me at the gate and drive me to their home, which is on the property.
“So, do you want to get settled in or take a tour of the place?” Keith asks.
“Tour, please!” I say, and Judy laughs.
“I thought you’d say that.”
We use a golf cart to get from their house to the main building.
“This ranch house was in my family for a few generations, along with the land. I had no interest in farming it, but after I came back injured from my military time, we had this idea and kind of ran with it.” Keith says.
“We added on to the house. It’s now fifteen rooms. There’s a common room, family meeting area, and a game room all right off the lobby.” Judy says as we enter.
“This looks almost like a resort,” I say.
“We wanted it to have that atmosphere. These men spend so much time in the hospital that we didn’t want them to feel like they were still there.” She says.
“I like that idea. That way, I’d be able to keep a lot of the history of the home.” I say, thinking out loud.
“Upstairs is all rooms, and we have several rooms on the main level over there,” Keith says, pointing to the hallway on the right.
“Down here is the dining room, physical therapy room, an office for the doctor to meet with patients, and our offices,” Judy says, taking me down the hall to the left and showing me each room.
We step out onto the back porch.
“Over there is our barn. We have equine therapy. It’s great for the guys who like to work in the barn, taking care of the horses just as much as riding them. They can ride without doing the therapy, but the therapy does get them up on a horse to ride. We have an indoor pool area there.” Keith points to a large building that looks almost like a warehouse.
“It’s good for helping gain muscle strength back, and some guys use it, as stress relief, too,” Judy adds.
We head back into their office and go over all the details of getting set up, the paperwork I’d need, how to set up a nonprofit, and getting military approval. It all makes my head spin, and when they hand me stacks and stacks of paperwork to take home, I’m even more overwhelmed.
“So, tell me about this place you want to use,” Judy says.
“It’s an old plantation home. I figure once fully renovated I can get twenty-one rooms, plus a library, a large lobby area for families, a dining room, offices, and a PT room. There’s a barn on the property that needs to be restored. I have an area set aside for a garden, and I’ve read that can help in rehabilitation as well. Down the road, I’d like to build an aquatic center. There are fifty acres, so plenty of room.”
“Will you live on the property?” Keith asks.
“Yes. There’s a couple living down the road, and they’re getting ready to sell. They
have thirty acres that used to belong to the plantation back in the day. I figure I can move there and give the land back to Oakside, and then have more room to add on later.”
Once I get back to my room, I collapse on my bed. What a wealth of knowledge those two have, and they are willing to share it all. I have so much to do when I get home.
I knew the house would show me what its purpose would be, and I know this is it.
Before I pass out, I call Noah, because as busy as I was, I still miss him like crazy.
I decide not to tell him right away what I’m doing, at least, not until I bring him home and can show him. And I can’t wait!
Chapter 28
Lexi
When I leave the airport, I decide to grab my keys and head right into see Noah. I get to the hospital with only ten minutes of visiting hours left, but I sneak into his new room. I intend to stay until they kick me out.
“Nice digs,” I enter, closing the door behind me.
This room is a bit nicer with a little less of a hospital feel to it, but there’s no mistaking you’re still in a hospital.
“Hey, angel. Did you just get in?” He asks and pats the spot next to him on the couch.
“Yes, and I came straight here. I wanted to see you,” I snuggle next to him and rest my head on his shoulder.
“Tell me about your trip.”
“Not just yet, it’s part of your surprise.”
“You went to Texas as a surprise for me?” He says his voice laced with confusion.
“Partly. Just trust me, you’ll see.”
“The house should be ready any day now, so don’t get too comfortable in this room.” I joke.
“I won’t,” he chuckles.
“There’s just one more thing for you to decide,” I say, slightly nervous to bring it up.
“What’s that?” He pulls me closer like he can sense my nerves. This is Noah, so he probably can.
“You need to decide if you want to share a room with me, or if you want your own space,” I say.
Noah wastes no time in pulling me into his lap, and I turn to straddle him, so I can see his face and keep my weight on my legs and off of him, as much as possible. I wrap my arms around his neck and soak him in. He settles his hands on my waist like he plans to hold me in place.
“Do you really think I’d pass up the chance to sleep with you every night? To have you in my arms all night long? Angel, you keep the nightmares away and make me feel safe. There’s no way I’d be able to sleep, knowing you’re under the same roof, but not in my arms. The question is are you ready for that? Because it’s not just me there to rehab. It means we’re moving in together; taking this to the next level.” He says his voice steady, but his eyes show how unsure he is.
I smile and kiss him softly. “I love you, Noah. So yes, I’m ready for this.”
There’s a sharp intake of breath from him, “I love you too, Angel, so damn much.” He leans in and kisses me passionately.
The more we kiss, the harder I feel him getting between my legs. I don’t want to break the spell, so I keep kissing until I’m so turned on, I need relief.
“Noah…” I whisper against his lips.
“I feel it too, angel.” He tightens the grip on my hips and grinds me against his hard length, making me moan.
As he watches me, he does it again and then sets a steady rhythm of grinding that has me cumming so fast that I can barely catch my breath. I collapse against him, my head on his shoulder, as he rubs my back.
I finally sit up and look at him and smile. “Your turn,” I reach for him.
He grabs my wrist, bringing it to his mouth, and places a kiss in the center of my hand.
“It’s always about you, angel. Besides, I don’t think I’m ready to know yet.” He whispers the last part.
I nod and lean in to kiss him again.
“Then, I should get home. Mom and Dad are there waiting on me, and we have some plans to make.” I wink at him, before heading out.
Once home, I’m greeted with life. Instead of the dark, quiet rooms that always await me, there’s life in this house, and I have to say I like it. I find Mom and Dad in the room next to my office that will be a makeshift living room and dining area for Noah.
“Hey, baby.” Mom hugs me when I walk into the room. “The guys got the gym set up next door, and we are just putting the final touches on this room.”
Looking around, I see a TV and couch area in one corner, and on the other side, a small dining room table and chairs to seat four. There’s also a recliner and a bookshelf. It all has my mom’s decorating touch to it, and I can’t wait to show Noah.
“It’s so much better than the hospital room he’s been staying in,” I say. “Do you have a moment? I want to talk to you about something before you go.”
“Of course.” My dad says as they sit down on the couch, while I perch on the edge of the recliner facing them.
“Well, you know Noah is moving in here for his rehab, but we talked, and this is more than that. It’s him moving in.”
Mom smiles, “We figured as much, sweetheart.”
“Okay well, I finally know what I want to do with this house. You know I went to Texas to meet with a couple, who run a rehabilitation center for wounded military men and women. They turned their ranch home into a facility, and they work with the military to cover the cost for care for the soldiers. It’s a place that Johnny and Noah would be able to do PT and heal, once they were ready to leave the hospital. They provide counselors to help the soldiers transition back to the civilian world, get them jobs, places to live, all of it.” I stop and take a deep breath when I realize I was rambling.
“I want to do that here.” I watch my parents, as they turn to look at each other.
They don’t say anything, so I keep talking.
“Judy and Keith, that’s their names. One of the things they told me, is there’s a ministry that helped them build on to the house and get it ready, and it was done for free, because of the cause. She got me their info, and I thought maybe since my dad owns a construction company, he would be willing to help. I know you normally flip houses, but I trust you to oversee the guys. They also suggested contacting a local college to see if any grant writers are willing to help out for the experience. We’ll have to put our heads together to get some publicity and fundraisers going. They sent me home with so much paperwork it makes my head spin.” I tell them.
“Lexi,” Mom laughs. “We love the idea.”
“Of course, I’ll be here during construction; we want to help any way we can.” Dad continues, “As long as you keep as much of the historical elements, as we’re able.” He says, looking around the room.
“That’s the plan. I want it to feel like a bed-and-breakfast, not a hospital. On the rough plans I drew up, I was planning for twenty-one rooms.” I go on to tell them about the plans for the place and about reaching out to buy the colonial house next door.
I have enough money left over from Tyler to buy the house and get renovations going, but we need to start on grants and fundraising sooner rather than later to get the place ready to take patients.
By the time they leave, it’s almost midnight. But the time flew by, as we talked about plans, and they’re genuinely excited and want to help any way they can. Besides, I think they’re happy for me to have a purpose, and they’d support me even if I’d said that I want to turn it into a strip club.
“One more thing.” I stop them before they leave. “I’m hoping to get Noah moved in this week, so maybe this weekend, you guys along with Becky and Johnny can come over, and we can do family dinner here?”
Both my parent’s eyes water and I know why. I haven’t hosted a family dinner, since Tyler died. They have eaten here sure, but normally, it was when they’d push their way in to make sure I was okay, but I never openly hosted dinner.
“We’ll be here,” Mom says, before hugging me.
I’m so pumped up I know I won’t be able to sleep, so I spen
d some time getting the master bedroom ready, making sure he has half of the huge walk-in closet, and cleaning out one of the dressers for him to use. Then, I check that the second sink in the bathroom is ready for his stuff.
Am I really letting a guy into my life? Taking a breath, I wait for the panic to come, but it doesn’t. I wander into the living room and stare at the photos of Tyler.
“Somehow, I get this was your plan all along,” I say smiling.
Chapter 29
Noah
Oh, man, did PT kick my butt today. But this is a good kind of aching, one that says I’m making progress, and one that says I’m healing. I will take this kind of sore any day.
On my way back to my room, I stop to see Easton and knock like always.
“Hey,” I say, but he doesn’t even look my way.
His nurse walks up beside me, “Today, is a bad day, so maybe, try again tomorrow?” I nod and take one last look at the tortured man on the other side of the room.
“I’m here if you ever need me. To talk, yell, or hit something. I’m here.” I tell him.
Still no reaction, so I turn and head back to my room. I find Lexi there waiting on me, and my mood lifts instantly.
“Angel,” I say, as she stands and leans in to kiss me. She helps me from the wheelchair to the couch and snuggles right up to me.
“Guess what.” She says.
“What?”
“I talked to your doctor, and it looks like you get to come home today!”
I’m floored. I was expecting to be here a few more days, and if I’m honest, the thought of leaving this place seemed more like a dream than something that was actually going to happen.
“Really?”
“Yep, my parents kicked butt getting everything done, while I was gone. Becky brought in a lot of help, too.”
I’m freaking excited mostly, because I’m so done being in this hospital, but also because it means Lexi and I get to start the next part of our relationship. Yes, we are moving in, but it also means I can start courting her like she deserves. I’ll hold her in my arms at night, and there are no more goodbyes.