CHAPTER 71
Frankie
So dry.
Painfully dry.
Like ground glass is packed in my mouth and shoved down my throat, scraping against the inside of my throat.
I try to swallow but I swear I don’t remember how. No, that’s not it. I do remember. It’s just that I can’t. Because I can’t move the muscles in my throat. Or my tongue or lips. I can’t open my eyelids, either. I can’t suck in enough air.
I can’t…
“Boots.”
I go still. My heart calms and my breath steadies. Because I know that name. I know that voice.
“Frankie, I’m right here, sweetheart. Take your time. Go slow, baby. There’s no rush. I’m here.”
A cry exits my lips. I sound awful. What’s wrong with me? Where am I?
Images bang against the inside of my head, trying to sort themselves out and form pictures that make some kind of sense. I know that something bad happened to me. Something awful.
Like a flash, I see it. Niko’s house. The cold stone floor. And I’m hurt—everywhere.
And… Niko’s dead?
He’s dead.
I’m alive.
I’m free.
I flutter my fingers because that’s all I can manage to move, and immediately, he’s there. A big hand swallows mine. I feel him move in close. I know that scent—leather and fresh mountain air and horses. And the barest hint of expensive cologne.
Special K.
But there’s too much pain. I can’t speak and I can’t even smile at him, though I want to. I’m desperate to.
His fingers brush the hair from my face. I can’t hug him. I can’t lift my arms to hug him.
When his strong arms slip around me, I’m relieved—so very thankful. He’s being careful with me. His touch is soft. He lifts me, cradles me in his embrace. And holds me close.
Special K’s got me. My cowboy.
Hot tears sting my skin as they slip down my face. I’m so sore, but it’s all right. He’s got me. I’m alive.
I’m free.
“Mmmmrrrp.”
I reach out with my other hand and my fingertips touch Pussy’s silky fur. That damn cat.
I’ve got my man and I’ve got my cat and I’m alive.
“It’s been so hard to keep her from crawling on top of you,” he whispers in my ear.
My face is wet. My tears are hot, and I love my life, my precious life. And I love this man with my whole heart. I never knew anything this wonderful was possible for someone like me.
“I…”
“Shhhh,” he says. “Don’t try to talk.”
I shake my head. Too much pain. But he needs to know. He has to know. I can’t wait another second. I take a breath and steady myself. The words come out haltingly. My voice is just a croak.
“I love you, K.”
“I love you more, Frankie. I love you with everything in me, more than anything in this world. Don’t ever leave me again.”
“No… I won’t.”
He loosens his embrace and pulls away a bit. “Marry me, Frankie.”
I must be hearing things.
“You heard me. Marry me. Be my wife and my partner and walk with me through this crazy, wonderful life. Marry me, Boots.”
I can do this. I can summon whatever strength I have left and open my eyes. I can do this for him.
The curtain of my eyelids part. I blink back the shock of light, and then I see him. That face—that gorgeous, sun-kissed face. His golden curls. Eyes the color of wild mountain violets.
He’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. That I’ll ever see. But I have to close my eyes now.
“Yes… I will.”
“Mrrrrrrp!”
“Special K,” a soft but stern female voice comes from somewhere nearby. “I told you the cat isn’t allowed on the med-surg unit.”
“Sorry, Phoebe. But Frankie just woke up. Tell everybody that I asked her to marry me, and she said yes.”
“Mraaaaooow!”