Chapter 28
TWENTY-EIGHT
Three days later, Jackson paced the length of the hospital corridor. He had to keep moving. It was that or fall over from exhaustion. He’d been running on caffeine and worry ever since Piper was brought to the emergency room. Those first several hours, when she was in surgery, were harrowing. She’d nearly died.
He didn’t like to think about it.
Grandma Mary emerged from the hospital room. The last few days had put her through the wringer too. Weariness was etched in the wrinkles on her face, but she gave him a bright smile. “She’s dressed. You can go in.” Mary adjusted the shoulder strap on her purse. “I’m heading home for some much needed rest. I suggest you two do the same once the nurse returns with her discharge paperwork.”
“We will, but first we have a meeting at the sheriff’s department.”
Her mouth pursed in disapproval.
Jackson sensed a good-natured lecture coming on and he quickly added, “I tried to talk Piper out of it. She insisted. Rest will come a lot easier once she has the answers to her questions.”
Mary’s expression softened. “I suppose that’s true.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a small jewelry box. “I brought something for you.”
Jackson frowned and accepted the offering. He opened the box to find a stunning diamond ring nestled inside. His breath hitched.
“This was my engagement ring,” Mary said. “Perhaps I’m jumping the gun, but I’d got the impression you were going to ask Piper to marry you. She’s always loved this piece. I stopped wearing it a few years ago because of my arthritis and wasn’t sure what to do with it. But God, as always, had a plan. I’d be honored if you’d consider using it.”
Jackson was moved beyond words. “It’s perfect.” He hugged the older woman, his heart full of joy and love. “Thank you. It means more than I can say.” Nerves jittered his insides. “Piper and I haven’t spoken about our future. Not really. I’m not sure we’re on the same page.”
“Never mind.” She patted his cheek. “Keep the ring anyway. If you don’t need it, you can give it back.”
She turned and strolled down the hallway. Jackson watched her go for a moment and then stared down at the stunning ring. It was a vintage piece with smaller stones surrounding a larger diamond. He could easily see it on Piper’s finger. It was just her style.
Marriage. It would be a dream come true, but broaching the subject might cause trouble. For the last few days, Piper’s focus had been on recovering from her injuries. Jackson stayed by her side, and she seemed grateful for his support, but that was a far cry from forever.
God, I leave it in Your hands. Show me the right time to tell Piper what ’ s in my heart.
The prayer gave him peace. Jackson closed the jewelry box and slipped it into his pocket. Then he entered the hospital room. His breath stalled. Piper was sitting in the chair next to the window. Sunlight streamed over the glossy strands of her hair and across the delicate curve of her cheek. Her silk button-up blouse brought out the natural rosy hue of her cheeks. She was stunning.
She faced him and smiled. His heart clenched. “Hey, beautiful.”
Piper scoffed. She absently touched the purple bruises along her throat. “Hardly. It’s a shame we aren’t closer to Halloween. Ava could put me in a lawn chair in the front yard to scare the neighbors.”
Jackson smiled at her self-deprecating humor. “I was thinking you could be a superhero for Halloween this year. Piper the Invincible. Brave enough to stand her ground against serial killers and the lawyers who protect them.” He brushed a tender kiss across her mouth, mindful of her injuries. “We’ll need to find a letter opener though.”
She laughed and then winced.
He pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Need some pain medication? ”
“No, I don’t like the way it makes me feel. I’ll stick to the over-the-counter stuff from now on.”
A cast covered her left arm, and she had her leg propped up on the bed. Her injuries were shockingly minor compared to how bad things could have been. Some broken ribs, a shattered elbow, and a bruised femur were the highlights.
Jackson perched on the window ledge next to her. “Are you sure you’re up to visiting the sheriff’s department today? We can easily get an update when you’ve had more time to recover.”
She shook her head. “No. I want to do it today.” Piper reached for his hand, sliding her fingers between his. “Let’s close this chapter, so we can move on with the rest of our lives.”
His brows arched playfully, even as his heart rate sped up. “The rest of our lives, huh?”
She blushed and smiled. “Is that too forward? Oh, well.” She gently tugged him down until they were face-to-face. Piper stared him in the eyes as if she was memorizing the moment. “I love you, Jackson Barker, and I’m ready to walk…” Her lips quirked. “Actually, limp, into the future with you. I’m done running. No more pushing you away. Whatever problems arise, we’ll face them together. I don’t promise it will be easy, but I swear to fight for us. Always.”
His throat clogged with emotion. It was the most wonderful thing anyone had ever said to him. For the second time in ten minutes, Jackson found himself moved beyond words .
Now. His heart said now was the moment.
Jackson bent down on one knee.
Piper gasped and her eyes widened. “What are you doing?”
“I’m taking advantage of the moment quickly before you change your mind.” He removed the jewelry box from his pocket and took her hand in his. “Piper Jensen, I have loved you from the first moment I saw you, strolling down the high school hallway with an apple in one hand, a chemistry book in the other, and a fierce determination to live your dreams. You stole my breath away. And just now, you did it again.”
Her chin trembled. Tears shimmered in her beautiful eyes.
“I don’t know what the future holds, but I know my love for you is forever.” With trembling fingers, Jackson opened the jewelry box. “Will you marry me?”
“Yes!”
There was no hesitation in her answer, and Piper didn’t even bother to look at the engagement ring. She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him closer for a kiss. Her lips were soft, the touch filled with more love than he could’ve imagined. Jackson lost himself in the moment, letting everything fall away except this gorgeous woman in front of him. They’d been blessed with a second chance. He intended to savor it.
When the kiss was over, Piper was breathless and her cheeks flushed. She’d never looked more beautiful.
Then she glanced down at the ring. Her eyes widened. “Is that Grandma Mary’s engagement ring? ”
“Yes. She gave it to me in the hallway just now. She can’t wear it anymore because of her arthritis and didn’t know what to do with it, but believed God had a plan.” He removed the ring from the box. Piper’s left arm was in a cast, but thankfully, her fingers weren’t swollen from the broken elbow. The diamond band fit perfectly. Jackson chuckled. “She was right. Divine intervention.”
Piper looked at the ring on her finger and then at Jackson. Her gaze was soft. “I love you, Jackson.”
“I love you too.”
He moved to kiss her again, but before he could, the door opened and a nurse walked in with the discharge papers. The next few minutes were spent gathering Piper’s things and getting her prescription information squared away. While Piper waited for a wheelchair to take her down, Jackson fetched the car. He pulled his SUV around to the main doors.
Piper rose without a problem from the wheelchair, but she needed assistance getting into the vehicle. Jackson made sure she was comfortable before climbing into the driver’s seat. He hesitated. “Are you sure about this? Derek and the ranger team have been working hard to piece together what happened, but they may not know everything. The answers we get may not be the ones you want.”
“I know, but with you by my side, I can do anything.”
Her words filled him with warmth. Jackson hated to follow up the sweet moment with a meeting at the sheriff’s department, but Piper needed answers. She deserved them.
“Okay then. Let’s do this.”