by Wood, Lorena
“I wouldn’t want it any other way. I’d be jealous.”
“Don’t worry Whitney, I’m all yours. My mind, my heart, and all the other important parts are all yours.”
Chapter 19
“I need to go visit the other boys.” Whitney said struggling to break the grip Nick had on her wrist. “I promised!”
The whole time he’d been in the hospital Nick had been worried that Whitney would head back home. Every time she had to leave he made it difficult.
“I’ll be back to check on you two in a little bit,” she laughed smacking Nick’s hand after she wriggled free. “Stay out of trouble. If he gives you any problems Teddy, let me know.” Nick’s puppy dog eyes made Whitney laugh.
“Just be nice. I’ll be right back. I can’t leave the man who saved my life. Both men,” she said blowing Teddy a kiss.
“That’s right,” Teddy snickered. “I think you do owe me something. Maybe your first born.” Teddy pretended he was holding a baby.
“We can work on that,” Whitney joked back.
“I wish,” Nick said looking sincerely troubled. “I think it might be a while before they let me out of this bed.”
Whitney couldn’t help smiling to herself as she walked toward Kevin’s wing. The new feeling of nurturing that came with having someone to worry over like this was nice. She’d always thought she preferred to be independent. She never had to tell someone when she would be home or where she was going. She used to think it would feel restrictive or bothersome to have to constantly inform someone else of her daily plans.
Whitney realized with some surprise that she didn’t resent the fact that Nick wanted her to sell her house and move in with him. She pictured the idea of driving home from a hard day at work knowing someone would be there waiting for her. After only a short time of having someone else to depend on, she didn’t want to go back to being alone. Even her past fears of relationships seemed distant as she thought of spending time with Nick.
She was in a pleasantly optimistic mood when she reached Kevin’s room. It was so thrilling to see him sitting up and talking with his family. Whitney knocked and they waved her into the room.
She hadn’t actually met Kevin when he was awake. She’d connected to him in his dreams so it felt like she already knew him.
“How are you Kevin?”
“I’m better,” he said politely, looking toward his mother suspiciously.
His mother patted his hand in a reassuring gesture. “Kevin, this is Whitney Bentley. Whitney, this is Kevin, my son.”
“We’ve sort of met already, haven’t we Kevin.”
The boy’s eyes lit up in recognition. “I didn’t know what you looked like. When I asked my Mom who came and talked with me, she said it was a psychic lady. She didn’t say you were so…”
“Normal looking?” Whitney interjected.
“No,” he said nervously, staring at his hands. “So pretty,” the boy said blushing.
“Thank you Kevin. That’s very sweet,” Whitney said, taking a seat by the bed. “You look much better than when I saw you last time. Have they decided when you can go home?”
“In a few more days I guess.” His face grew more serious and he whispered, “I hear you got Derrick.”
“Yes, and thanks to you Detective Fergassee knew who to look for. They found out about his cabin and were able to come and save us.”
She kissed his cheek and his pink cheeks blushed even deeper. “Do you remember me coming to visit you before?”
Kevin’s head nodded up and down vigorously. “I knew you were here. You talked to me in my head. It made me feel better. I remember dreaming a lot. I could hear voices sometimes, but I couldn’t talk. It was weird,” he said glancing back at his mother.
Not wanting to dwell on the trauma, Whitney changed the subject. “Well, I’m glad you’re all better now. Have you been up and around?”
“Yeah. I still go to physical therapy to make sure I can do everything I’m supposed to. They make me get up and walk around a lot. It wouldn’t be so bad if there were more kids around. Most of the kids that are here for more than one day are really sick.” He turned to his mom with pleading eyes. “I can’t wait to get back on my skateboard. This is so boring sitting here all day long.” Grabbing something out of the table by the bed he held it up for Whitney to see. “My Mom got me an IPad and some cool games, so it’s not always so boring.”
“Awesome,” Whitney said, looking around the room for other distractions. Spotting the built in DVD player on the television, she walked over to examine the stack of disks he had accumulated. “I have quite a few movies at home that you might like. I can bring them in for you next time if it’s okay with your mom.”
“Is it mom?” After his mom nodded Kevin asked, “Can you rent the new Spiderman movie too?”
“I sure can,” Whitney said, happy she could make his time at the hospital less boring. “I’ll try to remember to bring them with me soon. I have to go now. Is there anything else I can get you?”
He shook his head and thanked Whitney again for the movies and the visit. His mom walked Whitney out and thanked her for being there for her son. She was so relieved that he seemed to be making a full recovery. The next visit to Dustin’s room didn’t promise to be as fun.
She walked in to a very quiet, subdued room at the other end of the hall. Dustin wasn’t physically as sick as Kevin had been, but he was still very scared and traumatized. Maybe the coma had given Kevin time to deal with his situation. He was also older, and had escaped on his own. Dustin felt small and afraid like many victims of violence. He wouldn’t let his mother leave his side. Whitney tried to lighten things up for him.
“Hey buddy, you’re looking good. How ya feeling?”
“I’m okay. I was tired for a while, and thirsty. I can eat all the Jello and ice cream I want,” he said forcing a small smile. It was quickly replaced by a somber expression as he looked down at the floor.
Whitney knew his mind was still on the horror of the cabin and the feeling that he wasn’t safe. Dustin looked so young and small in the big hospital bed, and the haunted look in his eyes broke Whitney’s heart. Thinking back to her conversation with Kevin, she tried to find a distraction.
“I just heard that Kevin has an iPad,” she said with exaggerated awe in her voice. “Do you have one of those?”
“No. My sister does. I borrow it sometimes when’s she at her friend’s,” he said looking like a guilty little brother.
Whitney smiled at his mother, thinking the confession might get him in trouble, but his mom’s face held little expression.
She turned back to Dustin again, aware that the whole family needed encouragement. “Would you like one of your own to keep you from getting bored while you have to stay here?”
His eyes lit up and he looked toward his mom. She seemed to come to life a little more as she gave him a smile of permission.
“That’s very nice of you,” the mom said quietly.
“It’s no problem. I wanted to get Dustin a little gift for saving my life.”
“I didn’t save your life,” he said in surprise.
“Yes, you did. You helped me find the knife to cut the rope, and you helped me get moving. I couldn’t have done it without you. So…what kind of games do you like?”
His eyes began to sparkle with excitement as he looked to the ceiling and mentally prepared his list. “I like Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, pinball games, Rayman, and lots of other games,” he said fidgeting with excitement.
“Sounds fun to me. Maybe you can show me how to load them on the iPad when I come back.”
“Okay. I’m pretty good at it. I’m better than my sister, but she doesn’t think so.” This time when he looked to his mom for a reaction she was smiling at him.
Whitney felt better when she left the room. She’d heard that young kids could bounce back pretty fast given the right conditions. She hoped that would be the case for Dustin.
* * * *
Nick’s sister had a party for her brother and Teddy when they came home from the hospital. After dinner they all went into the living room to sip coffee and watch the antics of the little ones.
Nick stood up and cleared his throat to make an announcement. “Quiet. I need everyone’s attention. I have something I want to tell you.” When everyone was quiet he turned to Whitney and fell on his knee.
“I have to ask you first, before I can tell them.”
Whitney’s heart was in her throat and her hand was shaking as Nick put the little velvet box in it. She opened it but didn’t touch the sparkling, delicate ring nestled inside. She didn’t feel ready for this decision.
Nick took out the ring and held it at the tip of her finger. “Whitney Bentley, will you marry me?”
Whitney couldn’t help searching Nick’s mind in a moment of panic. He knew she didn’t feel ready, but he was convinced enough for the both of them. Feeling the depth of his emotions, and none of the trepidation she had expected, she felt her own needs and desires tugging at her heart.
Nick held his face as calm as he could while inside he fought the nervousness of facing rejection and loss. Determined not to let her get away, he was ready to follow her to Sedona to win her heart. When she nodded and said yes, it took a moment for her acceptance to sink in completely.
Laughing with amazement he put the ring on her finger and pulled her in for a kiss. Everyone shouted and cheered for them, hugging Whitney and teasing Nick mercilessly. When it all died down, Whitney turned to Nick and asked him to come into the kitchen with her.
“I have a surprise for you too,” she said furtively. “I thought you should hear it first, before the rest of the bunch out there.”
“You quit working for the Agency?” He asked hopefully, pressing her against the counter and kissing her.
“Well, maybe that too,” she said pushing him away. “But something else.”
“Wow. What could top that?” His curiosity now peaked, he place his hands on her hips and tried to read her eyes. “Is everything okay?”
She reached for his hand and placed it on her belly. “They called from the doctor’s office today.”
Nick’s eyes widened and he caressed her stomach. “Is there a baby in there?”
“Yes, our baby.” With a worried look she asked, “Is that okay?”
He picked her up and twirled her around. “Of course it’s okay. It’s fantastic. I’m glad I asked you to marry me before you told me. You would have thought I felt forced into it.”
“Nick, don’t worry about that. I always know what you’re thinking.”
“Oh yeah!” He laughed. He gently set her back on the floor and claimed her mouth in a long, passionate kiss that spoke of possession. Coming up for air he laughed again and gently kissed her cheek. “You’re gonna make a hell of a mom!”
THE END
About the Author
Lorena Wood is a romance and paranormal author with a background in psychology. She lives in New England with her husband and two children.
If you would like to contact the author, please feel free to e-mail her at [email protected]