But things were going to be different now. He’d given his resignation and would hook up with Nate and Lew’s connections for some private contracts and investigative work when he was ready. His only focus was loving Catalina, taking care of her as she healed and enjoying their lives together in Treasure Town.
He glanced at Cody, who leaned back in the chair and just stared at her.
“When is she going to wake up and stay awake for a while? I miss her voice,” he said, and Jeremy nodded.
“I do, too, but the doctors said it could take some time for her body to heal after all the trauma. She’s bruised up everywhere.”
The door to the room opened, and Cooper and Don appeared, carrying coffee and some snacks.
“How is she?” Cooper asked as he handed out the coffee cups.
“She hasn’t awoken again since this morning,” Jeremy said and then took a sip of the coffee, feeling the need for some caffeine to keep him awake. They’d spent the last several days here and taken turns showering at a friend’s house who lived near the hospital. As soon as she was well enough, the doctors said they could transfer to Treasure Town and the Fairway General Hospital there. They were about an hour from there.
Jeremy heard her moan, and he quickly stood up and went closer to the bed. The others joined him, and Cooper caressed her cheek.
“Hey, sleepy head. We’ve been waiting to see those baby blues.”
She blinked her eyes open, looked at them, and smiled softly, then cringed. Cooper caressed her chin.
“Easy, baby. Lots of bruises, remember?”
They talked to her and told her how much they missed her voice as she managed to focus more than the last time she’d awoken, and then wanted to sit up. Jeremy raised the bed slowly. She crinkled her nose and then used her good arm to cover her belly. The other arm and shoulder were in a sling and all bandaged up.
“Ah, someone is awake. How are you feeling, Catalina?” the doctor asked as he walked into the room, along with a nurse.
“Nauseous,” she whispered and swallowed hard.
“That’s probably from the pain medication and not eating regular food.”
“Well, can we stop the pain meds? I want to wake up and get better.”
“Honey, you were stabbed, and you’re bruised all over the place,” Jeremy told her. She glanced at him.
“I’m not sleeping my life away. I can handle a little pain. I want to be awake…talk to you guys.”
The doctor smiled.
“Let’s lower the dosage. If you can get down some soup or a little food, then we’ll see.”
She nodded. “Thank you,” she whispered and closed her eyes.
“Here, suck on a little bit of ice while Don gets you food,” Cooper told her, and Jeremy watched as they all took care of their woman, who seemed to finally be getting better. He couldn’t want to get her home where they could hold her in their arms and love her forever.
Chapter 6
Catalina sat on the stool at the Station talking to Michaela, Serefina, Sophia, Shayla, and Destiny while MaryAnn spoke to some guys who were friends of Jeremy’s from the agency.
She was so happy that she’d survived the ordeal and that Jeremy and her men were safe, too. They’d all told her about the strategic operations between numerous government agencies to find her and plan the rescue. She’d had to get debriefed by some federal agents and other people to document the events. That was all behind her now, and her shoulder was feeling a lot better every day, especially with Cody and Jeremy showing her exercises to do and ways to work out the aches. She especially liked when those sessions turned into making love on the living room rug.
“Hey, Catalina, do you need another drink?” C.C. asked her, and she smiled.
“I’m good for now. Thank you.” Catalina wondered about the young woman who worked at the Station and what her story was. She seemed so sad, and Catalina would catch her watching them and smiling as if she was envious. So she made an effort to talk to her a little, and each time, C.C. seemed to be letting her guard down and smiling more.
“So, you’ve got yourself four very amazing men, but have they decided on the house they want to buy or what?” Serefina asked, and Michela and Shayla chuckled.
“I don’t know why they’re being so particular. Everything you’ve shown us has been great, and the first house and the third house were gorgeous,” she replied.
“There’s a lot to be said for a beach house right on the water with your own private stretch of beach,” Sophia added, then took a sip from her wine glass.
“It’s completely up to them,” Catalina said and then covered her mouth as she yawned.
“Are we boring you?” Serefina teased.
“Not at all. I think I’m finally starting to relax a little. You know, feeling comfortable and safe again.”
“I’m sure that has a lot to do with your men. Who are on the way over right now,” Shayla said as she slid off the bar stool, waved, and then headed toward their other friends.
Jeremy pulled her into a hug and kissed her neck, but looked at Serefina. “Ladies, if you don’t mind, we’re going to call it a night. We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”
“Really? What’s going on?” Catalina asked.
He pulled back, and Cody, Cooper and Don joined them
“We’re going to be meeting with Sophia at the real estate office to sign contracts on our house,” Jeremy said.
“Really?” both Catalina and Sophia asked and then chuckled.
“Which one?” Catalina asked.
“You’ll find out tomorrow,” Cody told her, and then took her hand and helped her down off the stool.
They said their good-byes and headed out of the Station as their friends and fellow community members acknowledged them and smiled.
“I love living in Treasure Town. I’m so glad that we’re staying here,” she told Cooper as she snuggled against his side.
“There’s no place we’d rather be than here with you and all our friends,” Cody told her.
Cooper kept her close. Cody held her hand, and Jeremy and Don walked along with them. The night was cool and pleasant as they made their way to the parking lot, the smell of the ocean in the air and peace all around her.
She thought about how they’d first met and how Jeremy had been shot trying to help rescue Sophia. Their paths hadn’t crossed again for months because it hadn’t been the right time or the right place, but as fate stepped in and brought them together, the timing became perfect. Like her friends, she had to fight for her love, question whether it was right, or would last, until she focused on the most obvious method of figuring it out. She followed her heart.
She remembered from day one meeting them in the ER and feeling her heart warm and her insides react. One look, a few exchanged words, and, indeed, they’d set her heart on fire. It was a flame that would burn forever, because true love had the power to make it through everything.
THE END
WWW.DIXIELYNNDWYER.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
People seem to be more interested in my name than where I get my ideas for my stories from. So I might as well share the story behind my name with all my readers.
My momma was born and raised in New Orleans. At the age of twenty, she met and fell in love with an Irishman named Patrick Riley Dwyer. Needless to say, the family was a bit taken aback by this as they hoped she would marry a family friend. It was a modern day arranged marriage kind of thing and my momma downright refused.
Being that my momma’s families were descendants of the original English speaking Southerners, they wanted the family blood line to stay pure. They were wealthy and my father’s family was poor.
Despite attempts by my grandpapa to make Patrick leave and destroy the love between them, my parents married. They recently celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary.
I am one of six children born to Patrick and Lynn Dwyer. I am a combination of both Irish and a true Southern belle. With a nam
e like Dixie Lynn Dwyer it’s no wonder why people are curious about my name.
Just as my parents had a love story of their own, I grew up intrigued by the lifestyles of others. My imagination as well as my need to stray from the straight and narrow made me into the woman I am today.
Enjoy Hearts on Fire 7: Claiming Catalina and allow your imagination to soar freely.
For all titles by Dixie Lynn Dwyer, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/dixie-lynn-dwyer
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Hearts on Fire 7: Claiming Catalina (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 13