Chapter 22 #2
As the next couple of hours passed, everyone approached one at a time and told her how relieved they were that she was all right and back home.
They all ordered her to relax and not work too hard.
Robert threatened that if he saw her doing too much, he was going to tie her to a chair in the kitchen so he could keep his eye on her.
They were equally kind to Isabella, offering quiet words and condolences.
Carly and Luna both cried when they studied Reese’s bruised face, but Jess got mad.
Really mad. It was obvious she wanted the people who’d hurt her to pay, but since that wasn’t possible—they were somewhere in Mexico at the moment, or maybe even back in Bogotá for all they knew—she left to take out her frustration on the laundry that needed to be done.
She stormed out of the lodge after telling Reese how relieved she was that she was back.
Ryan followed her, but before she left as well, she gave Reese a long, heartfelt hug. It seemed as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she merely smiled and headed out after Jess.
Reese loved being around her friends, but even though she’d slept in very late, by dinnertime, she was exhausted and could barely keep her eyes open anymore.
Gus noticed, of course, and told the others that he was taking Reese back to the cabin.
Everyone hugged her—carefully, since she was still extremely sore. When it came time for Woody to say his goodbye, he held onto her for an extraordinarily long time. Then he pulled back and tenderly caressed her sore cheek. “Love you, Reesie.”
“Love you too. But don’t call me that,” she teased.
He smiled sadly. “I’m gonna miss you back in Missouri. I don’t know if I can even leave you here, especially now.”
“You don’t have a choice, big brother. Besides, I don’t think Gus is gonna let me out of his sight for quite a while. I’m safe with him.”
Woody nodded. “Yeah, you are. He was always the guy we counted on when things went south on missions. Glad to know that hasn’t changed. He’s good for you, sis.”
“I love him. So much,” Reese whispered.
“I know. It’s the only reason I’m leaving without you.”
“But not for a few more days, right?” she asked, suddenly not wanting him to leave just yet. “Isabella is devastated about losing Angelo, and I’d hate for her to have to deal with moving to a new city and having no friends while trying to grieve.”
“We’ll stay for a while longer. I want Isabella to spend some time with Henley,” her brother reassured her. His gaze lifted to someone behind her, then met hers once more. “Besides, I think we might have another reason to stay…”
Reese frowned. “What does that mean?”
But Woody simply smiled, leaned forward, and kissed her forehead, before turning to head back to where Isabella was talking to Jasna and Henley.
An arm came around her chest, and Reese leaned back into Gus grateful. “What was that about?” she asked.
“Come on, let’s get you home and off your feet.”
“You’re the one who should be off his feet. I know your ankle has to hurt. But, Gus? What aren’t you telling me?”
“Home, sweetheart. Then we’ll talk.”
There was no budging Gus when he got stubborn like this. And she didn’t really mind his protectiveness. “Fine,” she said with a small huff.
But her fake annoyance didn’t even faze her man. He steered her around the furniture, keeping a firm grip around her waist as they headed for the door.
They were waylaid by her parents, who were still overwhelmed with emotion that their baby girl was all right. Eventually, Gus extricated her from them, and they were once again on their way to the cabin.
Before she knew it, Reese was on the couch, covered by a blanket, while Gus got busy warming up dinner.
She’d protested, saying he was the one with a hurt ankle, but he ignored her and insisted on getting them something to eat.
Chicken soup, of all things. He told her that he used to eat it all the time when he was sick, and that it had a miraculous ability to “cure what ails ya.”
How could she argue with that? She couldn’t. The fact was, she wasn’t the only one hurting right now. Gus had taken his fair share of knocks while they’d been in the river. No, he hadn’t been punched in the face right before going swimming, but still.
She reluctantly allowed him to pamper her because in doing so, he was pampering himself. They ate their soup in a companionable silence. Reese didn’t feel the need to fill the quiet with chatter. She was safe, warm, and Gus was by her side.
All the shit she used to worry about seemed stupid now. She’d never take her loved ones for granted again. Wouldn’t worry about dirty dishes or an unmade bed or mud on the floor. It was inconsequential compared to what had almost happened to her.
When they were finished eating, Gus took their bowls back to the kitchen and returned immediately. He moved her until she was practically on his lap, but Reese didn’t mind. She snuggled against him, resting her head against his chest, hearing the thump thump thump of his heart under her cheek.
“So…I was thinking…” Gus said.
When he didn’t continue, Reese lifted her head and looked at him. “Yeah?”
“What do you think about getting married tomorrow?”
Reese blinked and stared at him in shock. “What?”
“If yesterday taught me anything, it’s not to take life for granted.
I love you, and I want you to be my wife.
Why wait? Your brother and Isabella are here, as well as your parents.
There’s no waiting period; as soon as we get our license, we can have the ceremony.
I can call and arrange to have a civil ceremony right after we get the license tomorrow. ”
“Are you being serious right now?”
“Yes.”
Reese bit her lip. “But my face…the bruises…”
Gus took her head in his hands and kissed her gently.
His lips didn’t lift off of her, and with every word he spoke, his lips brushed against hers.
“Those bruises on your face hurt my heart every time I see them. But they also make me so damn thankful that you’re still here.
With me. In my arms. You can ask Alaska and Henley to help you with your makeup to hide them if you want, but don’t do it for me.
We can wait until you’ve healed to get pictures taken, if that will make you feel better.
All I want is for you to be mine, and to belong to you in return.
Forever. What do you think? If you truly want to wait, we will, but everything in me is pushing to get this done. To get my ring on your finger.”
He pulled back so he could see her face, but didn’t let go of her.
Reese grabbed hold of his wrists as she studied him. “What if this is a knee-jerk reaction to what happened? If you regret it later?”
“It’s not, and I won’t.”
“I don’t have a ring for you,” she said with a frown.
“We can stop and get one on the way to the courthouse tomorrow. I haven’t gotten your diamond yet, but we can pick out our wedding bands together.”
“You’re totally serious.”
Gus nodded.
And for the first time, she saw the uncertainty in her man’s eyes. In everything else, he was confident and had a take-charge attitude. But this…he was actually worried.
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Yes?” he asked as if he hadn’t heard her right.
Reese nodded. “Yes, let’s do it. We’ll get married tomorrow, then have a party later when we have time to plan it. With pictures, cake, fancy clothes—a celebration of life. For now…we’ll do this for us.”
“I love you,” Gus told her, his lip quivering.
“I love you too,” Reese returned with a big smile. For the first time in over twenty-four hours, she didn’t feel like crying. She threw her arms around Gus and hugged him tightly, wincing as the wrist Angelo had hit throbbed a bit.
But she ignored it. Nothing could dim her happiness right now. She was going to be Mrs. Reese Fowler. Tomorrow. It was literally a dream come true.