Chapter 58 | Caleb
Caleb
Rae had spent a couple of days in the hospital after being rescued so they could monitor her healing.
Her doctor told us she was lucky she had only a minor concussion and that she would need a few days to heal, but that she would be fine soon.
When she was released, Rae seemed nervous about going home, so I had offered the idea of staying at her parents’ place until she was ready.
“You doing okay?” I asked after I extended my arm towards her and saw her wince slightly. She pressed her hand gently on her side as she linked her fingers in mine.
Ten days had passed. She’d been cleared by her doctor regarding the concussion she had, and she had started to act like herself again.
The only limitations she had were because of the cuts on her side and arm.
Nightmares had flooded her dreams during the first few nights after she was released from the hospital, so I never pushed the idea of going home.
Work had been so understanding about me not returning, and Rae not starting, when we thought we would have. Thankfully, I had plenty of vacation time saved up since I rarely took time off.
When Rae had woken up this morning, she told me she was ready to go home, and the smile on her face showed her excitement. We missed Duke, but because she needed time to heal, Santana, Luke, and Jenny took care of him and the farm while Rae recovered.
“I love you, Ranger,” she said to me as she tightened her grip on my hand.
“I love you, too, Sunshine.”
I watched Rae from where I sat in the truck. She was staring out the window, looking at the spring flowers that speckled the sides of the road leading to my house. I rolled her window down for her, and she smiled at me before she closed her eyes and soaked up the sunshine.
I pulled up to the house, close enough that Rae wouldn't have to walk far. Thankfully, Rae was just achy now and no longer dizzy. However, that didn’t stop me from worrying.
I put the truck in park and looked over at my girl. “Stay here,” I requested with a gentle hand on her arm. I sweetly smiled at her, and she answered with a small “okay,” her voice barely above a whisper. I could tell she was nervous to step back inside the house, but she hadn't said as much.
I opened the truck door and was met by a warm breeze.
Maybe Rae would want to sit outside for a bit today since it’s so nice out.
I rounded the front of the truck, thinking about how to make her comfortable, both with the aches she still felt but also with the memories the house would now bring. When I looked at her door, I saw her looking at me with a smile on her face, waiting like she always had.
Gosh, this girl will forever be my undoing. I opened the truck door and rested my hand on her knee, “How do you want to do this? Want me to carry you? Support you as you walk? Let you do it?” I looked up as she giggled.
“Ranger...” She reached out and touched my cheek. “I'm okay. I'm safe. I'm...”
“Sore and going to let me take care of you.” I attempted to sound stern, but I couldn't. Not with her.
She giggled again.
I reached up and lifted her up out of the truck, then set her on the ground, waiting to remove my hands only after I saw she was steady.
I reached in and grabbed the bag that Jenny and Santana had packed for her once the police had cleared from the house.
Throwing it over my shoulder, I looked at her for a long moment.
I knew the doctor said she was cleared after her concussion, and there were no broken bones; she was just sore.
However, that didn't mean I wasn't going to take care of my girl—for the rest of our lives. “Don't hate me.”
She opened her mouth, probably to ask what I meant, but before she could say anything, I scooped her up in my arms and began walking to the front door. Giggles erupted from her body.
I walked with her in my arms up the steps at the front of the house, her arms wrapped around my neck. If anything hurt her, she hadn’t said a word, and smiled through the pain.
When we got to the door she stilled “Caleb...” Her breathing stuttered and her body became tense.
“I know, Sunshine. Just remember, he's gone and can't hurt you anymore. Plus, I'm right here and we'll take it one step at a time.” I kept my voice soft, soothing, trying to calm her nerves. “Oh, and Duke is waiting inside for you.”
Rae's mouth drew into a tight smile, and she nodded.
“I am excited to see Duke. Thank you for being there for me, too.
I couldn't do this without you.” She gave me a light kiss, and it felt like fireworks going off in my body.
I could tell her nerves were still present but could also feel her relax as I returned her kiss.
“Let's get you inside before we do unspeakable things to each other on this porch,” I groaned as I kissed her.
Rae laughed immediately with her head thrown back.
I carried her inside the house, grateful that the danger was over and she was finally home where she belonged.