Chapter 30
Grace
As I watched Kai being wheeled from the room, my mind raced at everything that had happened and all the horrendous things Cain tried to do and could have been planning.
Something kept gnawing at my insides, though.
Cain had targeted Kai and not me directly.
This seemed out of character for him, or did he have something even worse waiting for me?
A shiver rocked my body at the thought. No, I was safe, and he was going to be arrested. He wouldn’t be able to hurt me or anyone else ever again.
I wondered what my parents would think when they heard Cain got arrested. Would they realize the truth about him and how evil he actually was? Would they finally believe me?
Ev’s looming presence filled my vision as he stepped in front of me to catch my eye. “How about we get some food?”
“Sure.” We headed out of the room, and I followed Everett to the elevators.
“I’m so sorry about Cain and the damage he’s caused you,” I mumbled when the silence became too oppressive.
“Hey, there’s no need for apologies.” He turned to face me. “I hate how abusers do that. They always make the survivors feel like it’s their fault. None of this is your fault. This is all on Cain. Do you blame Malachi in any way?”
“No, of course not!” I responded vehemently.
“Then the same should apply to yourself.” He folded his thick arms over his chest and leaned back against the wall of the elevator, looking a little smug.
“Well played,” I said, as a smile lifted the corner of my mouth. “It’s still something I’m working through, but thanks for the support.”
“I understand.” He held his arm out and let me precede him out of the elevator, and we headed towards the cafeteria on the ground floor. “It takes a long time to shift that sort of blame and guilt.”
As I glanced at Ev from the corner of my eye, his face appeared drawn, and shadows filled his eyes.
“From your time in the service?” I asked.
“Actually, no.” He ran his hand over the back of his neck. “My sister was murdered.”
Those words brought me up short as I reached for his arm. “I’m so sorry, Ev.”
“It was a long time ago, but it still haunts me. It probably always will,” he admitted.
“Did they catch the person responsible?”
“I’m afraid not. Her murder and three others like hers are still unsolved.” He shook her head and cleared his throat before he motioned to the sandwich spread in front of us. “Enough about that. What can I get you, my treat?”
I let the subject drop and scanned the options in front of me. “A Reuben would be great. Thanks.”
“Coffee?” Ev asked.
As much as I’d have loved coffee, I wasn’t sure I was supposed to with the pregnancy as my hand shifted absently to my stomach. “No thanks, but I’ll take a juice if they have it.”
Had it really only been twenty-four hours since Doc confirmed my pregnancy?
Ev’s gaze flitted to my hand and back up to my face, as a smirk played over his lips and I quickly dropped my hand. It had become a reflex that I didn’t even realize I was doing.
“Go grab a table, and I’ll bring everything over,” Ev said as he walked to the bored-looking cashier and placed our order.
I sat at an available table, and pulled out my phone and found a text from Avery and Flora, wanting an update.
I texted each of them and thanked them both for their earlier help. I told Avery about Cain and his likely arrest because she knew that part of my story and was glad I was no longer in immediate danger.
Ev was back in minutes, placing the tray of food on the table and passing me my juice and sandwich. I eyed the double-chocolate cookies still on the tray.
Ev’s deep chuckle had me snapping my gaze to meet his. “You have a sweet tooth too, I see. It’s a good thing I got two then, isn’t it?” He shot me a wink, and my cheeks heated.
“Yes, I have a massive sweet tooth, especially for anything chocolate. Since I wasn’t allowed to eat sweets or bake, I’ve been indulging every chance I get lately,” I explained.
“I’m a chocolate fiend. So much so, Maisie and Gramps have teamed up to hide the chocolate from me.” His pout had me barking out a laugh.
“Well, we’ll just have to team up ourselves and bake a chocolate feast.” The lightness of the conversation lifted my mood and lightened my heart as we chatted back and forth about our favorite chocolates and what we could bake.
I spent the rest of the morning waiting and watching Kai sleep. Everett left to return to the ranch to check on the findings. He said he’d keep us updated. The doctor reported that Kai’s scans were good and that he would be discharged later today, and I was thankful he was okay enough to go home.
As I dozed fitfully in the uncomfortable hospital chair, I couldn’t help but dwell on what would happen now.
Cain would be arrested, and as long as there was enough evidence and with my doctor’s reports, he should go away for a long time.
It felt too easy. He’d been caught because he’d gotten hurt while vandalizing the ranch.
It served him right, but what else had he been planning, and who had helped him? Were we really safe now?
I fell into a restless sleep as my mind tried to put the pieces together.
Fingers ran through my hair, murmuring soft words as I dozed. A deep chuckle met my ears as fingers massaged my neck, and I groaned.
“You need to wake up, sweetheart. It’s time to go home.” Kai’s rumbly voice tickled my ear.
“Home,” I hummed, leaning into the touch as the words registered, and I sat up straight. Kai was smiling at me, fully dressed and waiting in a hospital wheelchair beside me.
“You sleep like the dead,” he chuckled. “I didn’t have the heart to wake you, but I’m being sprung, so I had to.”
He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the top of my head.
The gesture was so sweet that butterflies fluttered in my belly.
I kissed him gently on the lips, then stood and stretched.
I was still in my bar clothes, which were comfortable but smelled like beer and spirits, and I couldn’t wait to get home and take a long, hot shower.
It had been a day.
“Let’s get you out of here. Do you have everything?” I asked as I pushed the chair out of the room and down the hall.
Passing the nurses’ station, I asked the nurse from earlier, Sally. “I’m parked in the lot across the way. Is he okay to walk, or should I bring the car over?”
Her sunny smile was infectious as she responded. “I’ll walk him down and wait with him, and you can bring the car into the waiting bay.”
“Okay, thank you,” I said with a smile as I let her take over pushing the wheelchair. We made our way down to the ground floor, and I hurried to get the car.
Once I’d pulled into the waiting bay, I helped Kai into the passenger seat. After a quick stop at a McDonald’s drive-thru for some much needed food for Kai, we were on the road and heading back to the ranch.
After he consumed his breakfast sandwich with a groan, he leaned back and shut his eyes.
“Did they give you something for the pain?”
“Yeah, I have a script for codeine, but Tylenol should be fine. I’m just tired more than anything.”
I grasped his hand, interlacing our digits. “You rest. We’ve got a bit of a drive. I’ll wake you when we get there.”
He squeezed my hand and with a muttered “thanks” he fell asleep, and the rest of the drive passed in silence.
I intended on taking Kai straight to his cabin, but as I crested the hill, Everett strode out of his front door and waved me down. I pulled into the circle drive in front of the main ranch house.
Ev came over to lean on my open driver’s window. “How’s he doing?”
“He’s okay, just tired.”
“Understandable. Have you guys eaten? We have the usual breakfast spread, or I can bring something over in an hour or two,” Ev asked.
“Yeah, maybe in an hour if you don’t mind.” I hesitated, a little embarrassed about my next question. “Do you think Maisie might have some clothes I could borrow? I need to take a shower and don’t want to leave Kai alone.”
“I’m sure she does. I’ll have her grab something and some food and bring it over in an hour, okay?” With a tip of his Stetson, Ev stepped back and waved me off.
“Thanks,” I called and headed for Kai’s cabin.
As soon as I turned the car off, Kai snorted awake, making me giggle. “Morning, handsome. We’re home,” I spoke softly as I eased a lock of hair off his forehead. His hair was in complete disarray, with bits sticking up every which way, but I found it endearing.
“Hmm, home with you. I like the sound of that,” he stated, smiling at me with tired eyes.
“Let’s get you inside. Can I grab your crutches or chair?” I asked.
“Crutches are easier. Do you mind carrying my prosthesis inside for me?”
“Of course.” I got out and hurried around the car, opening the passenger side and taking his prosthetic. “Keys, please. I’ll be right back.”
After closing the car door, I carefully carried Kai’s prosthetic inside and placed it on his bed. I grabbed his crutches as I made my way back to him. He was already standing and leaning against the car door when I returned.
I tutted at him. “You should have waited for me. What if you got dizzy or hurt yourself?” With a sigh of frustration, I handed him his crutches.
“I was hoping you’d get all bossy,” he growled. “I like it when you’re bossy.”
Rolling my eyes at him, I led us back inside. “Maisie’s going to come by in about an hour with food. Do you want to shower or rest before she arrives?”
He stepped up behind me, placing his chin on my shoulder. “Shower, but only with company. I need to be careful not to fall.”
I playfully jabbed him with my elbow. “You’re so full of shit.”
“Hey, ouch! What was that for? I’m injured.” The pout he sent me had me fighting to hold back a laugh.
“Come on, you big lug. Let’s go shower.” And I led us into his en suite bathroom and turned the shower on to heat. I took my time undressing us both and waited for Kai to make himself comfortable on the bench seat before I kneeled to wash him.