“I am now. But Cubby and Katie had to shoot the woman as she was going to kill me.”
“I’ll go see how they’re doing,” Ethan said.
When he came back, he looked grim, but said Cubby and Katie had it covered.
Noah came back with them, and Buster would ride with the others. Ryan held Faith in his arms as they flew home.
He had no idea what the time was after they’d given statements and reassured family and friends they were all right. Finally they were allowed to return to The Howler.
Faith had refused to leave his side no matter how many people tried to take her home to bed. She was swaying on her feet as they reached her room. Once the door was shut, she fell face-first on her bed. Ryan switched on the bedside lamp. Pulling her back to her feet, he stripped her clothes from her, then nudged her back down, tugging the sheets up around her body.
“I’m going to wash.”
“’Kay,” she whispered, sounding drunk.
“Sleep now, baby.”
She didn’t answer.
Hot water soothed some of the aches and removed the stench of smoke from him. Once dried, he slipped in beside his girl, lifting her into his arms. She rolled, pressing her face into his neck.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you too.” He kissed her head.
She braced a hand on his chest and looked up at him. Dark smudges were beneath her eyes, and she was pale with fatigue.
“You need to sleep, Faith.”
“I-I never wanted her to hurt you, Ryan, but I didn’t want her to die either. She was sick.”
“I know, baby, but she’s at peace now. Lie down.” He tried to tug her onto his chest, but she resisted.
“I-I know your life isn’t here, Ryan, but wherever it is, I want to be with you.” Her words sounded raspy, her throat clearly still sore.
“You’d leave here for me?”
Her eyes held his. “I would, because tonight made me understand just how much you mean to me. I was so scared, Ryan. And you didn’t know.”
“What?”
“That I loved you. I hadn’t told you.”
“I knew, baby.” He slipped his hand around her neck and eased her close, brushing his lips over hers. “And we’ll make it work, because wherever you are, I want to be too.”
He eased her onto her side, her back now pressed to his front. “Sleep now, Faith, and I’ll be here when you wake.”
Fatigue pulled at him, but he made himself stay awake, stroking a hand slowly down her arm until he heard her steady breathing. Only then did he allow sleep to take him under, safe in the knowledge he had his girl in his arms.
Chapter 28
Six months after Ryan’s kidnapping, he and Faith were standing on the ridge.
“If we buy both, then no one can build next to us.”
“Ryan, the next neighbor is out of eyesight.”
She moved away from him, walking the perimeter of the property he wanted them to buy.