Chapter 23
23
T he feel of Clara’s children in her arms after they were reunited stayed with her as she sat in Heath’s hospital room and waited for him to wake from surgery. Leaving them sleeping in their beds had torn her heart in two, but she had no doubt they were safe.
Heath’s prognosis was more uncertain.
Time ticked by and she’d give anything for him to open his eyes. The seconds stretched into minutes along with her nerves. He’d put his body in front of hers—took a bullet to save her.
And now he fought for his own life.
Needing to touch him, to feel his warmth, she settled her hand on his. The stiff blanket covering him to his waist scratched her arm, and she folded herself over the bedrail, resting her chin on her forearm.
“If you could just open your eyes and let me know you’re okay, I’d quit all this worrying. I told the kids how brave you were. They can’t wait to see you. I promised them they can see you tomorrow, so you better not make me a liar.”
He remained still, his body unmoving.
She sighed then winced at the pain in her side. A reminder of what she’d endured—what she’d survived.
Guilt swept in and stole her breath. Not everyone had survived, and she’d been the one who’d taken the kill shot. No one would argue that she had any other option. She and Heath would both be in the ground right now if she hadn’t acted. But that didn’t make the knowledge that she was responsible for taking a life any easier.
But that was trauma for her to unpack another time.
“Can we come in?”
Clara gasped at the sweet sound of Sally’s voice. She jumped to her feet and bent to hug Sally as she sat in a wheelchair. The older woman’s normally vibrant coloring was a bit washed out and her gray hair hung loose around her shoulders. A bright pink robe covered her hospital gown.
“What are you doing here?” Clara asked. “You should be resting.”
Sally encased Clara’s hand with hers. “I should be right here with you, and with my son.”
The nurse standing behind the wheelchair gave Sally a smile similar to one Clara used often with her kids. “You can stay for a little while, but then I need to get you back to your room.”
Tears shone in Sally’s eyes. “Try tearing me away from my son and we’ll see what happens.”
The nurse’s face crumpled in compassion. “I’m sure knowing you’re here will give him the strength he needs to open his eyes.” She patted Sally’s shoulder than strode out of the room.
“Let me get you situated,” Clara said. Grateful to have something to take her mind off her spiraling anxiety, Clara wheeled Sally to the side of Heath’s bed where she’d pulled her own chair. “Is there anything else I can get you?”
“No, dear. You sit and tell me what you know about my boy.”
Clara reclaimed her spot and latched her gaze on Heath’s sleeping face. She hadn’t spoken with the surgeon personally, but Owen got updates which he’d passed along. “The doctor took the bullet out and made all necessary repairs. She said everything went as well as possible, and now we’re waiting on him to wake.”
“He’s always been one to take his time in that area. Had to threaten to pour a bucket of ice water on him to get him up in time for school when he was a kid.”
She smiled at the story and wished she knew more about his childhood. “That’s hard to imagine,” she said. “But I have a daughter like that. Loves to snuggle under the covers and take her sweet time with everything.”
“How are the kids? Mila filled me in on what happened.”
A shiver danced down her spine as her mind went back to the terrifying span of time when the kids were missing. “They’ll be fine. Shaken for sure, and they didn’t say much about what happened when they were with their dad. I don’t want to push them. I found the name of a good children’s therapist. I’ll make sure they get all the help they need to get through this.”
“And what about you? Will you make sure to give yourself the same thing?”
Clara sighed and fought to keep the tears in her eyes from falling. As much as she struggled to cope with what she’d done, she refused to cry any more over Mitch. “Yes. The kids need the very best version of me, and I can’t give them that if I’m grappling with what happened.”
“You fought back, honey. That man didn’t give you a choice,” Sally said. “I might not know exactly how things went down, but I know that much. You were protecting yourself and the people you love.”
Emotion smothered her chest. “Heath protected me first. I’m the reason he’s in that bed, fighting to wake up.”
“No, he’s in that bed because he’s a protector. A champion of justice. And a man who’d do anything for the people he cares about.”
Her earlier declaration of love flooded back. She’d been too scared to admit her feelings even to herself before then. But in that moment, when he laid in her arms after using his body as a human shield—after saving her babies—she couldn’t deny it.
Now she prayed she’d get the opportunity to tell him over and over again.
“Clara?” Heath’s raspy voice was so soft and low, more beautiful than any song she’d ever heard.
Jumping to her feet, she leaned over him. “I’m here, and so is your mom.”
His eyes flickered open and latched onto hers. “Are the kids okay?”
Her heart melted into a sticky mass, and she let the tears fall. Because now they were tears of joy. Tears of relief. “They’re back at the shelter with Mrs. Collins and Laura, fast asleep.”
He swallowed hard and grimaced. “And Mitch?”
“He’s dead.” She didn’t go into detail. Wasn’t sure she could actually say the words “I killed him” out loud. But it didn’t matter. She’d fill him in on everything later. “Owen is fine. He was shot in the shoulder, and they had no trouble removing the bullet. And it looks like Silas will make a full recovery as well.”
Heath cleared his throat. “And you? Are you okay?”
“I will be. Now that you’re awake.”
Sally dashed tears from her wrinkled cheeks. “My boy, I can’t even tell you how proud I am to be your mom,” she said, voice cracking. “You scared the hell out of me, but I wouldn’t expect anything less from you—anything less than putting yourself in harm’s way to protect someone you care about. I love you so darn much.”
A soft rap at the door drew their attention to the doorway. The nurse who’d wheeled Sally in strode forward and gripped the handles of the wheelchair. “All right, Ms. Sally. Your son’s awake and now it’s time for you to return to your own room.”
Sally grumbled under her breath but patted Heath’s leg before turning watery eyes on Clara. “Take care of him for me.”
“I’ll try my best.” She waited for his mom to leave the room before fixing her attention back on Heath. “Do you need anything? Water? Food? A fluffier pillow?”
“I only need you, and I don’t mean just for the moment. I need you and those adorable kids of yours. I heard what you said back at the house. Those words sunk in and kept me sane, kept me fighting. Because I had to get back to you and tell you that I love you, too.”
Her heart swelled. “Are you sure? I mean, I come with a lot of baggage.”
“No baggage,” he said, his voice growing fainter. “You come with an adorable package that any man would be lucky to have. As long as that’s what you want.”
“I want nothing more,” she said. “But we don’t have to figure everything out now. You need rest, and when you’re all better, we have nothing but time.”
She gripped his hand as his eyes drifted closed. She’d been through hell and back, but she’d finally found her happily ever after.
* * *
Heath clutched the handle of the passenger door to brace himself as he stepped out of the car. The bright sun touched his face but couldn’t do much to battle the chill of late December. Not that he would complain. Being cooped up in the hospital was akin to torture, even if for only three days. He inhaled the fresh air, eternally grateful not to breathe in the scent of chemicals and strong cleaner.
“I told you to wait for me,” Clara scolded. She slammed the driver’s door and scurried around the hood in time to offer her arm for support.
She’d spent as much time as she could by his side in the hospital. The kids had visited once, but Clara didn’t want to overwhelm him, so they’d impatiently waited for his release at the shelter. Mrs. Collins and the rest of the volunteers had showered them with nothing but love and affection, making them feel safe and secure after their traumatic time with Mitch.
“I’m fine,” he said, letting Clara fuss over him. Her small stature didn’t offer much assistance, not that he needed it, but she felt useful which was all that mattered.
“You should have let me take you home first. There was no need to pick up the kids now.” She moved slowly along the sidewalk toward the old farmhouse.
“My house would feel way too empty and quiet without them, even for a minute. I want them to be a part of this new chapter from the very beginning.”
Clara stopped and frowned. The wind blew her hair in front of her eyes, and he tucked it behind her ear so nothing obscured his view of her beautiful face.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Are we sure this is the right move?”
The question was a gut-punch, but he understood her reluctance. They’d spent most of their time the last few days discussing the future and what that looked like. For him, it was simple.
He wanted Clara and the kids.
Clara’s decisions were more complicated and impacted more than herself.
He grabbed her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “I want you and the kids to move in with me. I have no doubt that the three of you are my future. I love you and I love them. But if you think it’s too fast, I respect that. Mrs. Collins said you could stay here and once you sell the house, you’ll have money to buy your own place. We can take this as slow as you need.”
Her frown disappeared, replaced with the most breathtaking smile. “Have I told you lately you’re amazing?”
He lifted a shoulder. “Maybe.”
“You are,” she said then gave him a quick kiss on the lips. “The kids and I love you, too. You’ve made us all feel safe and special and adored. They need stability right now, and being in a home with two people who love and want to support them will only bring them good things. I don’t want to settle them into one situation, only to switch gears months later. Moving now not only makes the most sense, but it’s what I want.”
The fist around his gut released and he tugged her toward the porch. “Then let’s get those kids. I’ve missed them.”
He made his way up the steps and followed Clara inside the house.
Davey and Avery stood in front of the stairs, each holding a homemade sign with messy writing and colorful pictures.
“You’re here!” Avery squealed and rushed toward him.
“Wait!” Davey cried, hurrying to grab the back of his sister’s shirt and bring her to a halt. “He’s hurt. Be careful.”
Heath dropped Clara’s hand and opened his arms wide. “I’ll never say no to a hug. From either of you. Just don’t squeeze too tightly.”
Avery threw her arms around his legs and held on for dear life.
Davey hesitated, his eyes wide and full of worry.
It’d take time for the boy to stop worrying about upsetting those around him, but Heath was determined to show Davey every day that he never had to fear him. “See,” he said, eyes connecting with the little boy. “A little hug never hurts.”
Davey grinned and attached himself to Heath, crushing his sister in the process.
Mrs. Collins stood to the side and beamed. “So good to see you out and about. Don’t let these two run you ragged. You still need rest.”
“I’ll help!” Davey said.
“Me, too,” Avery chimed in.
Clara smoothed a hand over his jawline. “Looks like you have an entire village looking after you. Can you handle it?”
With the kids wrapped around his legs and the woman he loved by his side, he could handle anything. “I’ve never been so happy. So excited for what tomorrow will bring.”
Avery glanced up with a scrunched-up nose. “Tomorrow? We still have today.”
Laughing, he tapped his finger against the tip of her nose. “You’re right. We have all day today to enjoy, so we better get started. How about we pack up your stuff and head to my place?”
Davey grinned. “Really?”
Heath stared at Clara and matched Davey’s grin with one of his own. His heart was so full it threatened to burst. He’d spent so many years alone, too afraid to open up to anyone about his painful past. Clara and the kids had shown him everything he’d been missing. He’d never take them for granted. He’d show them love and kindness every damn day. “Yes, really. It’s time for all of us to go home.”