The pain inside him was fierce as he thought about Faith, the woman he loved and knew he would always love. He couldn’t go back now. Maybe ever?
“Be careful what you wish for,” his mother had said when he’d left all those years ago. Those words were now coming back to haunt him.
Rounding a sharp bend, his lights picked up a car on the side of the road. Someone was waving a hand out the driver window. He didn’t want to stop but knew whoever was inside would be there for a while if he didn’t.
Pulling up behind the car, he walked to driver side.
“Need a hand?”
“Hello, Ryan.” A handgun was pointed at his chest. “I told you we were meant to be together.”
Chapter 26
“I’m feeling a lot better, thanks, Jake.” Faith no longer had the oxygen mask on, and while her head felt a bit floaty, she was breathing easier. Annabelle had let her shower and change into some of her spare clothes because she smelled so bad.
“Good. And this is the last time, okay? I’m done treating you for shit.”
“Shit? Is that a medical term, Doc?”
“It encompasses many things.” Her friend smiled down at her. Faith was seated in one of the rooms, sipping cool, soothing water. “You scared us again.”
“I scared myself. Now you need to go home to your family, Jake, and I need to go and see what’s happening with Ryan and Noah and find my own bed.”
“He’s a good guy.”
“Ryan?”
Jake gave her a look.
“Yes, he’s a good guy.”
“You and he look good together.”
She tested the words for a few seconds and thought they sounded good. “We kinda do.”
“About time you stopped fighting what everyone else clearly sees.”
“This town has way too much time on its hands.”
“We just love a happily ever after.” He helped her get to her feet. “At least you don’t smell like last night’s burnt roast now.”
“Gee, thanks, Jake.”
“Welcome.” He led her out the door, then dropped his arm around her shoulders for support. “Your legs will feel a little wobbly. Between the head injury and now this, you need to take things easy for a while.”
“I’ve been taking things easy for days.”
“Stop moaning. You’re alive, aren’t you?”
“There is that.” Faith yawned, suddenly exhausted. It had been a long day.
“Hey.” Noah got out of his chair. His hair was damp, and he wore jeans and a Packers sweatshirt. He and Lucy were holding hands. “How are you feeling?”
“Much better.” She leaned against him briefly and felt Lucy’s kiss on her cheek. “Where’s Ryan?”
She’d thought he’d be here waiting for her. Now that she’d acknowledged the love she felt for him, she wanted to say the words like he had. She’d realized, when she could think clearly again, that she didn’t want to live without him. If she’d died in that fire, she would never have told him how she felt. She’d been a coward to deny what was in her heart.
She didn’t know how they’d make it work, but dammit, they would.