Though the reporters took pictures and shouted questions, she kept her expression remote and stared straight ahead, putting one foot in front of the other and plowing forward. The multiple camera flashes disoriented and disturbed her, but the knowledge that the press—at her request and backed up by the US military—would be denied entrance to the hospital itself gave her a bit of relief.
Once she was inside, the instant the automatic doors closed behind her, the roar of the crowd cut off. That scent particular to hospitals—a combination of cleaning agents and sickness—assaulted her nose.
No matter. She was going to visit the man whom her husband had hurt. Hopefully, the magic inside her would be enough to help him heal.
Somehow she had to make amends. Her magic was all she had.
The two military policemen at her side stopped at a closed door. “He’s in there, ma’am,” one of them said, inclining his head.
“Please wait outside,” she said, keeping her voice gentle yet knowing if they balked, she’d do whatever she had to in order to make sure she entered the room alone.
“Of course,” the man replied.
Relieved, she took a deep breath and placed her hand on the knob and turned it.
Entering the room, which was silent except for the thrum and low-level beeping of the machines, she approached the bed. And stared. Hand to her heart, which now had begun beating madly, she looked skyward and muttered a quick prayer of thanks before turning her gaze back to the rugged features of the man lying there.
How could this be? Yet before her eyes, indisputable proof.
Her legs quivered and threatened to give out on her. She sank into the chair next to the bed. Tyler, alive. Not dead after all, even though he’d appeared to her first as a spirit, a shade.
Fleetingly, she wondered how he’d been made human and then realized maybe with magic and love, anything was possible. In the end, she decided none of that mattered.
He was here, alive, and she might be the only one able to bring him back from his coma with her magic.
Or with her love. Maybe the two were interchangeable.
Trust in yourself. Again the voice in her head, the same one from when she’d had to fight the Drakkor.
So she would, she decided. She’d trust in herself and more. She’d trust in what she and Tyler had made together. She’d trust in them.
Approaching the bed, she took in the various machines keeping him alive. At least he breathed on his own, one blessing. Machines regulated and monitored everything—there were so many she didn’t know what each was for.
He didn’t move. His wonderful, beloved features looked the same. Puzzled, she eyed the rest of him, swathed in bandages. She’d read that he’d been badly burned in the explosion and she realized the bandages covered his burned skin. Both hands and arms, chest, stomach and legs. Most of his body, as far as she could tell. She wasn’t sure how his face had escaped serious injury.
And then she knew. David. David had done this to Tyler. The man from her past and the man she believed with all her heart would be her future, interwoven together like strands of an intricate web. And neither was dead.
Tyler. Her heart sang. The magic racing like a dizzying current inside her veins would help him, save him, bring him back to her, where he belonged.
So she leaned close, inhaling his wonderful scent, fainter now, but somehow still redolent of mint and trees. And then she touched her lips to his and kissed him.
Softly at first, the barest whisper of her mouth. He didn’t respond, of course. Not yet. But she hadn’t unleashed her magic.
Not wanting to overwhelm him at first, she kept the kiss gentle. Slow, and warm and sweet, using her lips to try to coax a response. Still, he didn’t stir. The machine continued beeping with his heartbeat, slow and steady. Unmoved.
She broke away, studying his rugged features, so full of love for him her chest hurt, and knew she couldn’t fail.
This time when she placed her mouth on his, her kiss became a command. Come back to me. Come back to me.
Slanting her mouth over his, she poured everything she had into this kiss, parting his lips and trying to reach his soul. Deliberately drawing his face to hers in another embrace, she stroked a gently growing fire, and when she felt the first answering spark from deep inside him, her pulse fluttered with joy.
Spirit soaring, she continued, stroking his hair, the side of his face, willing him to return. The dreamy intimacy building between them filled her tired soul, and when he finally moved his mouth under hers, tears filled her eyes.
“Tyler.” She pulled back, holding his hand as his eyelids fluttered open. She willed him to feel the almost tangible bond between them. “Tyler, it’s me.”
Finally, he looked at her, his beautiful hazel eyes at first disoriented, gradually becoming sharper when it dawned on him that she was there.
His gaze locked on hers, and a warm glow ran through her. Though she locked her jaw and tried to be strong, she couldn’t stop the tears from spilling down her cheeks.
“Anabel?” His voice a rough rasp, nonetheless it was his, sounding the same as he spoke her name. “Is that really you?”
Wiping at her eyes, she nodded, temporarily unable to speak. He pulled her to him and kissed her again, as if he needed the touch of her lips to convince him she was real.
The machines began wailing, a claxon sound that brought a nurse running. She spoke into a small phone clipped on her belt, and the room filled with people.
“I’m sorry, ma’am,” she said to Anabel. “But I’m going to have to ask you to wait outside the room.”
Anabel didn’t move. How could she leave when they’d just found each other again? Instead she backed up in one corner, making herself as unobtrusive as possible, while a team of people worked on Tyler.
What did this mean? His eyes remained open, and a flicker of annoyance crossed his face as they all poked and prodded at him.
“Stop,” he finally ordered. “I just woke up from a coma. I’m starving and I’d really appreciate you getting me something to eat.”
Startled, the assembled medical team momentarily fell silent. And then one of the nurses chuckled, shaking her head. “Damned if you don’t sound healthy.”
“I am healthy,” Tyler shot back. “At least as healthy as a man can be who was caught in an explosion and has had numerous skin grafts.”
“You remember that?” This time the white-coated man, clearly the doctor, sounded shocked.
“I do. Now if you’ll leave me alone with my Anabel—” Tyler cast his gaze toward her, making her smile “—I’d really appreciate it. It’s been way too long since we’ve been together.”
The doctor nodded and began inspecting the machines. “Pulse and blood pressure are fine. Oxygen saturation is great. I’d say he’s well enough to have something light to eat. And visit with his lady friend.”
“Light?” Tyler protested. “I need a steak and baked potato.”
The doctor laughed. “All in good time, but not just yet. You’ve got to give your body time to adjust to regular food.” Then, scrawling notes on a clipboard, he motioned to his team and they all left the room.
“Anabel.” Tyler beckoned her close. “What the heck is going on? I think I remember, but I can’t be sure. I was dead...”
Her heart turned over. When she could find her voice again, it trembled, but she didn’t care. “You were never dead. Even when you were a ghost and visited with me to save your sister. Apparently, you’ve been in a coma all along.”
He grimaced. “I wasn’t dead,” he repeated, confirming her statement. “Does Dena know?”
“I’m sure they must have told her, before all this happened. As soon as either of you is well enough to travel, I’m sure you two can talk about it.”
Worry cloud
ing his eyes, he nodded. “How is she doing?”
“Last time I checked, she was being moved out of ICU. Beyond that, I’m not sure.”
“And David?”
She tried to speak, failing miserably. But as she gazed at him, she realized she didn’t have to. One look at his shuttered expression told her everything. “Did you know all along?” she asked, holding her breath for his answer.
“No. I didn’t find out until I left you that last time and asked to bring Dave’s spirit to meet with you,” Tyler said, his voice gentle. “And that’s when I learned that Dave wasn’t actually dead.”
She nodded. “And his actions nearly caused you to be killed.”
Astonishment widened his eyes. “Dave did this?”
Keeping her words as terse and factual as she could, the same way she’d been informed, she told him what she knew. “I mourned a man I didn’t truly know. He lied and cheated and almost caused someone else—you—to die.”
She took a deep breath. He started to speak, but she waved him away. She hadn’t finished yet. “David is not who I thought he was. Everything he did, in the end, was for himself and his Afghan family. He didn’t care who else got hurt when he faked his own death. And clearly, he didn’t give a second thought to me, the woman he’d left behind, the woman he’d married, who once actually believed him to be her mate.”
“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice soft.
“I think I am. I will be.” Lifting her chin, she met his gaze. “Even though I realize clearly now that David was never my mate, still I did nothing to deserve to be treated as if I didn’t matter. Instead of sadness, all I feel is anger.”
“What will happen to him now?” she asked. “Once he’s court-martialed? They’ve assigned him an attorney.”
“It will be just like any other trial, only military. If he’s found guilty, he’ll go to prison.”
She nodded. “What of his...girlfriend and their child?”
“They’ll remain in Afghanistan.” His familiar hazel gaze searched her face.
“I didn’t even hear whether it’s a boy or a girl.”
Watching her carefully, he nodded. “I guess you could ask his attorney.”
“Maybe I will.” Heart heavy at all the hurt her husband’s selfish actions had caused, she walked to the hotel window. Pulling aside a sliver of curtain, she stared out at the parking lot.
“Will I be able to see him again?” she asked, turning just in time to see a naked look of pain cross Tyler’s face before he rearranged his features.
“I’m sure his attorney could arrange that.” Tyler shrugged. Then, speaking carefully, he asked, “You still want to see him?”
“Yes, I think I would.” Anger still fueled her. “I’d like to demand an explanation. Plus, he’ll need to sign the divorce papers once I have them drawn up.”
He froze. “You’re going to divorce him?”
“Of course I am. Wouldn’t you?”
One corner of his mouth lifted. Not quite a smile, so she wasn’t sure if he found her question amusing or not.
“You should probably think about this,” he said carefully. “Consider whether or not you want to give him a second chance.”
“A second chance?” She could hardly believe what she was hearing. “After what he’s done? Not only dishonorable, but—”
“You made mistakes too. And I think you’ve been relieved when people finally forgave you.”
What the heck was Tyler doing? Playing devil’s advocate? Yet, to her teeth-gritting irritation, he was right. At least about the part where she’d made mistakes. Still, that didn’t change how she felt about either man.
She took several deep breaths, trying to see past the righteous and wounded anger. “Forgiveness is one thing,” she allowed. “And if I have enough time, I might be able to give him that. But a second chance? I don’t think so.”
The tense lines on his face relaxed. “As long as you’re sure.”
“I am.” Crossing to him, she gently lowered herself next to him on the edge of the bed, taking his hand. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily, my love.”
Satisfaction and love blazed from his gaze. “I think that’s my line. I love you, Anabel Lee. Surely you’ve already realized that.”
She couldn’t tear her eyes from him. “I love you too. How foolish I was, believing I knew love before you. You’re my mate. We were...”
“Meant to be together,” he finished for her. “And as soon as you’re free, I’d like you to be my wife.”
Happiness filled her, wrapping around her like a warm blanket. “As soon as you’re well enough too,” she teased.
“My strength is returning rapidly,” he warned, pulling her down for another kiss. As she opened her mouth for him, thrilling to the familiar shiver of awareness, she dimly registered the sound of someone clearing her throat.
“Excuse me.” The first nurse had returned, carrying a tray. “When you said you were hungry, I thought you meant food.”
Feeling her face color, Anable scooted back, unable to hide her smile.
Tyler’s annoyance vanished, replaced by anticipation. “Great,” he said. “We were just talking about me needing to regain my strength.”
The nurse placed the tray on his bed table. “Enjoy.” Her shoes silent on the floor, she turned and left the room.
Grinning like a kid at Christmas, Tyler lifted the silver cover from his plate. His expression fell as he saw what he’d been given. “Soup?” He sounded incredulous. “And crackers? Oh, look, they gave me lime gelatin for dessert.”
Anabel couldn’t help it; she laughed. “I’m going to go check into my hotel and give you some time to rest. I’ll be back this evening.”
He grabbed her hand. “Don’t be gone too long,” he said. “We’ve been separated for longer than I ever want to be again.”
Heart full, she promised.
In the days that followed, Tyler made a rapid recovery. A miracle, his medical team called it. The skin grafts healed far quicker than they had before Tyler awakened. The hospital physical therapist marveled at his progress—soon he could walk laps around the hospital.
Anabel spent all her time with him, even sleeping in the chair beside his bed most nights. She refused to grant any interviews, giving her standard “No comment” to the reporters when they confronted her.
Finally, Tyler was deemed well enough to leave the hospital. Since the insurance company still had not settled on her house, despite the arson investigator’s report that he didn’t believe she’d set it, they’d have to return to the Value Five Motel.
“Or—” Tyler’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled “—we can see if the McGraws will let us rent one of their cabins at Wolf Hollow. They’re so much nicer—and more private—than that motel room.”
This time she was willing to consider the idea. To her surprise, the McGraws agreed, stating they had no problem with her staying there. For this, as so many things lately, gratitude overwhelmed attitude. She felt truly blessed.
Tyler purchased a car in San Antonio, using some of the pay that had accumulated during his eighteen-month coma. They drove back to New York together, both still full of wonder at the love they’d found.
David made no attempt to contest the divorce. He signed the papers immediately after receiving them, giving her everything. Which, at the moment, was a whole lot of nothing since she still owed money on the house that was nothing but ashes.
They moved into a lovely and secluded cabin at Wolf Hollow, and the McGraw family made both Anabel and Tyler feel completely welcome.
Once the uncontested divorce became final—rushed through the court system in a miraculous six weeks—Tyler took her shopping for a ring. Despite her protests that she didn’t want anything fancy, he purchased h
er a gorgeous diamond. He said he wanted to find a ring as spectacular as her.
They were married on a brisk fall evening, in a clearing in the woods near their cabin. Though originally Anabel had planned a small wedding, half the town apparently wanted to come, so they made it like a party, with a potluck dinner. A local band provided music. There was dancing, and for the first time in years Anabel felt like part of the town, of the local family.
But the best moment of all was hearing the vows Tyler spoke. They’d each written their own, and she’d told him how he completed her and of her great and everlasting love for him. She could have sworn he wiped a tear from his eye when she finished.
“Now my turn,” Tyler said, his voice loud and strong and sure. “I love you, Anabel. I vow to protect you and cherish you, for all of our lives until beyond. Because what we have is so amazing and so strong, not even death can tear us apart.”
Anabel was sure none of those assembled understood why she laughed. “Not even death,” she repeated.
And they sealed their vows with rings and a kiss.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from BLOOD WOLF DAWNING by Rhyannon Byrd.
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Prologue
If this was what falling for someone did to a person—what craving them felt like—then Sayre Murphy wanted no part of it. Ever. She might be young, as well as inexperienced, but she was a woman, damn it, and she knew when she was done.
Shades of the Wolf Page 26