Chapter 19
CHAPTER 19
“A re you comfortable? Of course you’re not comfortable. This pillow is the thickness of a sheet. Hang on, I’ll go get you a new one.”
“Mom.” Sky grabbed her mother’s hand before she could leave her bedside. “The pillow is fine. The people who work at this hospital are busy. They don’t need to be rushing around, finding me a new pillow.”
“Darling, you almost died !” Her mother closed her eyes and took a second to compose herself before opening them again. “It’s their job to make you better, and a new pillow will—”
“Esther,” her father interrupted. “Leave Sky alone.”
Her mother turned and started arguing with him.
Sky sucked in a long breath. To say her rest had become a little less restful since her parents had arrived would be an understatement. She loved her mom, but the woman had walked into the room crying. Big, loud sobs that had probably been heard from the parking lot. And they’d lasted a while. Then had come the complaints—her room was too small, there were no open windows to allow fresh air.
She was grateful for her parents, but it was also exhausting.
At least they hadn’t brought Tony.
Sky turned her gaze to the open doorway, and her heart gave a little thump. Becket stood there, somehow looking even bigger than usual. His arms were crossed, and he looked angry as he spoke to Jesse. The kind of anger that if directed at you, would make you run in the other direction.
He hadn’t left her side. He’d even refused to go home to change into dry clothes, instead asking his sister to bring him some.
Her father had thanked Becket and had been slightly warmer to him. It wasn’t quite at her mother’s level, who’d thrown herself into Becket’s arms, sobbing her gratitude.
Becket turned his head and his gaze collided with hers. He didn’t smile. His lips didn’t so much as twitch. He just watched her, the same intense expression on his face, like he was ready for whatever threat was about to come her way next.
A shiver ran over her skin.
“Darling, will you tell your father that you need more medication? You’re in pain. I can see it.”
She forced her attention back to her mother. “I don’t need more medication. I’m okay.”
“You’re not okay, you almost drowned !”
When tears started to gather in her mother’s eyes again, Sky reached out and touched her arm. “Mom…I know what happened to me has scared you. But I didn’t drown, thanks to Becket. I’m here, I’m alive, and I’m okay.”
Her mother closed her eyes and when she opened them, she nodded, clearly trying to pull herself together.
The doctor stepped into the room. “Miss Williams, how are you feeling?”
“A bit sore, but I don’t feel too bad, considering.” Probably due to all the drugs running through her system.
He nodded soberly. “You’re lucky. This could have ended far worse.”
She was so aware that this could have been worse. But lucky? No, she didn’t feel close to lucky. She’d almost died today…and it wasn’t the first time.
Everything that happened in Cheyenne started to creep back to her. The car incident. The fires.
Amber Ridge was supposed to be her fresh start. The place where her bad luck finally turned around. Was it starting all over again?
Her skin started to chill, and she once again searched out Becket in the hall. He was still standing with Jesse, but his attention was on her.
The doctor looked at her from over his glasses. “Now, I’m happy for you to go home as long as you have someone to stay with you tonight to monitor you.”
“She’s coming home with us,” her mother said quickly.
Panic punched through Sky. “No, I’m not.”
“Of course you are! I’m your mother. I need to take care of you.”
She couldn’t think of anything worse than going home with her parents. Her mother had only been by her side for an hour and she already felt more exhausted than when she’d arrived. And Tony was staying there.
“No.”
Her mother blew out an exasperated breath. “Stop being silly, Sky. Roger, tell her she needs to come home with us so we can look after her.”
“ I’m looking after her.”
Everyone’s gaze flew to Becket.
Her father cleared his throat. “Now, young man, we are her parents—”
“And she’s an adult,” Becket cut in, so calm it was like he didn’t feel a drop of the tension in the room. “So it’s her choice.”
Four sets of eyes locked on her. She didn’t hesitate. “I’m going home with Becket.”
Annoyance flared in her father’s expression, and her mother just looked worried.
“Darling—” her mom started, but Sky cut her off.
“I need to sleep in my own bed, and Becket…he’s my boyfriend, Mom. I choose him.” She swallowed hard.
This time, it was hurt she saw on her mother’s face.
The doctor nodded. “Okay, well, I’m going to leave you to it. Remember to come in if you start feeling unwell.”
Sky dipped her head. “I will. Thank you.”
When he stepped out of the room, she turned back to her parents. “Thank you for coming and bringing me clothes. I really appreciate everything.”
“I don’t want to leave you,” her mother said, tears once again brimming.
“How about I call you later tonight, and tomorrow you come over and we’ll spend the morning together?” Of course she’d have to use Becket’s phone because her cell was at the bottom of the reservoir.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay if we leave?”
“I’m certain.”
Her mother sighed before leaning over and gently hugging her.
Her father stepped forward next and pressed a kiss to her temple. “Call if you need anything.”
“I will.”
When they left the room, she turned to Becket. “Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me.”
He kept saying that, but it wasn’t true. She was thoroughly indebted to this man and thanking him was all she had to give. “Did your brother have any information on the driver of the white van?”
Becket moved forward so that he stood beside the bed, touching her hand. His eyes were so dark they were almost black. “No. But his deputies will speak to everyone they know in Amber Ridge who drives a white van.”
She nodded, more focused on the warmth from Becket’s touch than his words. She met his eyes. “Are you okay? You jumped off a bridge into freezing-cold water. Did you get checked?”
“I’m fine. I’ve done far worse in—”
“The military, I know. But you’re still human. And you put yourself in danger for me.” Nausea churned in her belly, memories of Charlie once again sending fear through her limbs.
Becket tightened his fingers on her hand. “I’m okay. I know my limits. Can I take you home?”
The thought of her own bed made some of the tension ease from her body. “I would love that.”
“Do you need help changing?”
She glanced at the pile of clothes on the chair. “No, I can do it.”
His brows flickered. “I don’t feel good leaving you to do it alone.”
Her heart squeezed. How was this the same man she’d waged war with over a boundary fence? “I’ll call out if I need help.”
If the crease between his brows was anything to go by, he didn’t like it. “I’ll be right outside that door. If I hear anything I don’t like, I’m coming in.”
She nodded but the second he was gone, she wanted him back. Today, he’d saved her life. And in the process, he’d become more to her. The person she felt safest with. The person she wanted to keep closest. And she had a feeling that wouldn’t be changing for a while.
* * *
Becket’s fingers were tight around the wheel as he drove. Everything about this day made him cold with dread. And the anger…it was everywhere—in his skin, his bones, his clenched teeth. It made him want to drive the streets and find the fucking van owner and murder him.
They’d run Sky off a bridge, then left her, not caring if she lived or died.
The image of her car tipping into the water replayed over and over in his mind, tormenting him. The memory of her unconscious in her car at the bottom of the reservoir was like a nightmare he couldn’t get out of his head.
She’d come so close to death today. Too fucking close. If he hadn’t been there to jump in after her, there was a chance no one else would have. It was too much of a risk, even for a firefighter.
He shot a glance at the passenger seat. Sky’s head was back, her eyes closed, but she wasn’t asleep. There were deep circles under her eyes, and her skin still hadn’t recovered much of its color.
He pulled into his driveway and turned off the engine.
“You don’t have a car,” he said, almost to himself.
“My parents have a spare I can use. They’re dropping it off tomorrow.”
Hell, he didn’t even want her driving. He wanted her safe with him. “Your house or mine?”
“I’d love to shower in my bathroom and sleep in my own bed, if that’s okay?”
If that was okay? Sky could ask him to sell his house and live with a hundred puppies and he’d probably agree right now.
He grazed a lock of hair behind her ear. “Done.”
When he reached her side of the car, she went to climb out, but he slipped one arm under her knees and the other behind her back and lifted her.
Sky gasped. “Becket, I can walk.”
“You were in a car crash today and went over a bridge. I want to carry you to your house.”
He thought she’d argue. Instead, she sighed and leaned her head against his chest. And fuck, it felt good. Holding her , having her trust him , it all felt good, especially today.
On her porch, he lowered her to her feet, but only long enough to take the spare key from beneath the pot and unlock and open her front door. Her key was at the bottom of the lake, along with her car and everything else that had been in it.
His teeth clenched together again, and the second the door was open, he lifted her and carried her upstairs. It was almost eight. Usually too early for bed, but after Sky’s day, she’d probably want to sleep as soon as possible.
When he reached her room, he set her on her feet before glancing at her bathroom, then back to her. “Are you going to be okay?”
There was a small lift of her lips. “I have to be. Because no way am I letting you shower with me.”
A half smile curved his lips. “I’m offended.”
“Don’t be. It’s basically a compliment.”
“How’s that?”
“I mean, if I’m naked, you have to be naked too, and then I’ll want to do things we both know the doctor hasn’t signed off on.”
His dick twitched. “Fine. But only a short shower, because you need to rest.”
“Got it, boss.”
Jesus, this woman. She almost died and she was still giving him attitude.
He inched closer and cupped her cheek. “I’m being serious, Sky. Be careful. And yell if you need anything .”
The smile slipped and her eyes flared. “I will.”
“I’ll make us food.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You need to eat.”
He got the feeling she wanted to roll her eyes, but she didn’t.
Turning away from her was harder than it should have been. He forced himself to head downstairs and into her kitchen. Before he could check for food, his phone rang, his brother’s name flashing on the screen.
He answered it straight away. “Jesse. Tell me you found the asshole.”
“We paid a visit to everyone we know here in town who drives a white van. Everyone either had an alibi or denied any involvement.”
“So someone’s fucking lying.”
Jesse sighed. “There’s no evidence anyone hit her car. Therefore, no evidence linking them to the crime. I’m afraid I can’t really do anything else.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Anger blackened the room around Becket. “Someone caused a fucking car accident, then left the scene!”
“I know. I’m frustrated too, brother. If there was something else I could do, I would. I’m sorry.”
Becket ran a hand over his face, frustration simmering in his gut.
“Are you home?” Jesse asked.
“I’m at Sky’s house. I’m going to stay the night.” Hopefully longer, if she’d let him.
“Good. How’s she doing?”
“Pretty good, considering what happened. But I’m not sure if that’s just for show because she wants me to think she’s okay.”
“It’s possible.” There was a small pause. “And how are you?”
He should be better than he was. This thing between him and Sky wasn’t supposed to be real. He wasn’t supposed to care this much. But what happened today had rocked him. “Not nearly as good. Which is stupid. I was a SEAL and I’ve been a firefighter for years. I should be better than this.”
“It’s different when it’s someone you care about.”
Jesse was right. He did care about her. Somehow, she’d gone from the neighbor he couldn’t do anything but fight with to someone he struggled to be apart from.
A knock on the door had Becket lifting his head. Who the hell was that?
“I’ve got to go. Someone’s here.”
“I’ll check in tomorrow.”
“Thanks.” He hung up and strode to the door, where he looked through the peephole.
“You have got to be shitting me,” Becket muttered, even as he yanked the door open. “Was she not clear the first two fucking times? She doesn’t want you here.”
Tony glared. “Where’s Sky?”
“That’s none of your business. Answer my question.”
“I brought her food. I wanted to go to the hospital, but her mother asked me to wait.”
“Good.”
“You know, whether you like it or not, we’re old family friends. So I made her favorite meal.” He cocked his head. “Do you know her favorite meal?”
“I know she’d prefer it if you weren’t here.”
Tony laughed, but there was no humor in the sound. “Fine. Just give this to her for me.”
Becket took the dish and slammed the door closed. In the kitchen, he peeled off the foil to reveal enchiladas.
He shouldn’t feel jealous that the asshole knew her favorite food and he didn’t.
He’d lost his fucking appetite.
He put the dish in the fridge before heading back upstairs. When he reached her room, he stopped at her doorway to see her climbing into bed. She wore an oversized shirt that reached mid-thigh. The salt lamp beside her bed was on, casting a dim glow over the room.
She frowned when she looked at him. “Hey. Are you okay?”
“I should be asking you that.”
“I’ve been asked that a million times today. I’m all okayed out. And I kind of feel like a new person after the shower.”
He sat on the edge of her bed. “Tony dropped by.”
Her nose wrinkled. “Why?”
“He wanted to drop off some food. Your favorite, apparently.”
“What’s my favorite?”
“Enchiladas.”
She laughed. “I like enchiladas. I wouldn’t say they’re my favorite. I’m more of a plain-Jane, toast-and-avocado-with-a-little-bit-of-salt kind of girl.”
He’d made her toast and avocado the morning after the break-in. “I’ll go get you some.”
She shook her head. “I’m still not hungry. But I was wondering…”
“Anything.”
“Would you share the bed with me tonight? I know it might be weird, but it’s big and—”
“Yes. Besides, the couch is kind of uncomfortable.”
The air rushed from her chest on a big sigh. “Thank you.”
“I’ll just take a shower and lock up.”
She nodded, and he squeezed her hand before rising and moving out of the room.
He used the hall bathroom to shower, and it was the quickest of his life because he didn’t want her to be alone. Once everything was locked up and turned off, he returned to her, sliding into the other side of the bed.
Every muscle in his body itched to reach over and tug her against him. But he didn’t have to. She inched backward, until her back was pressed against his side. He rolled to spoon her and slipped an arm around her waist.
She sighed. “Thank you again for saving me today.”
“Always, Peaches.”