Addie sniffled. “Don’t you dare make me cry. If I start, I won’t stop.”
Beckett chuckled and wrapped an arm around his wife. “Such a tender heart.”
“It’s the hormones.” She wiped at her eyes.
Beckett nuzzled her neck. “Sure, it is.”
My dad moved through the crowded room to my side. “Love you. Don’t you dare do that to me again.”
I leaned over to kiss his cheek. “Ramsey said something similar.”
“I knew I liked him.”
Warmth spread through me at that. Ramsey had become a part of our ragtag family, even if he hadn’t wanted to. And it was exactly what he needed.
My dad reached out a hand to him. “Thank you for doing everything in your power to save her.”
Ramsey swallowed hard. “I’d do anything for her.”
“I know it. That’s why I like you.”
“Hey, guys,” Hayes called.
Everyone looked over at him. “Think we could clear out for a few minutes? There are two boys who really want to see Shiloh and Ramsey.”
My heart clenched. “Aidan and Elliott are here?”
Hayes smiled at me. “Came first thing this morning. Refused to let the Millers take them home until you woke up.”
Tears filled my eyes again. Ramsey leaned over, wiping them away. “Don’t let them see you crying.”
“It’s okay if they see. Then they’ll know how much I’ve missed them.” They were the one piece of the puzzle that was missing.
“We’ll be back,” my mom whispered, giving me another kiss.
My family filed out one by one, and I practically bounced in my bed. Ramsey growled at me. “Don’t pull at your stitches.”
I stuck my tongue out at him. “I’m happy.”
He shook his head but kissed me soundly. “Love you.”
“Love you more.”
A throat cleared in the doorway, and I pulled away from Ramsey. Hayes stood there with Aidan and Elliott.
Aidan bumped Elliott’s shoulder. “See, El? Told ya. If he’s kissing her, she’s just fine.”
Elliott flew at the bed. Thankfully, Ramsey caught him as he launched himself and deposited him gently beside me. “Careful. She’s got some stitches in her stomach, so we have to be really gentle.”
Elliott bobbed his head up and down. “Does it hurt?”
“A little. But it helps to see you and Aidan.” I figured going with a watered-down version of the truth couldn’t hurt.
“But you’re gonna be okay, right?”
“I’ll be chasing you around the barn before you know it.”
Elliott puffed up his chest. “I’ll take care of Sky and Onyx for you until you’re better.”