by C. J. Lyons
Lydia turned away from the tree that had captured her attention and saw that the rest of the wide-open space had been filled by a large Shaker-style cherry dining table and chairs. On the top was a large platter of homemade cookies.
“This is why I was so edgy about you coming home unexpectedly today. Dad and I have been working on it for a month,” Trey said proudly, skimming a hand over the table’s polished surface.
“And don’t worry about the tree,” Ruby said. “Denny found a place that sells them live. After New Year’s you can plant it, let it put down roots.”
Her words sent a chill through Lydia. She shoved her hand into her jeans pocket, clutching her car keys again. The urge to run was so overwhelming, she felt breathless.
She pulled her hand free, leaving the keys behind. “It’s beautiful,” she told Trey, reaching for his hand and holding on tight. “It’s all so beautiful. Thank you. I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything,” Denny told her. “No need for thanks. This is just what families do.”
NORA JOLTED AWAKE WITH A START. BRIGHT sunlight streamed in through the window. She sat up and saw that Seth was already awake, staring at her.
“Morning,” he said, his voice raspy but strong.
“Are you—” She faltered, remembering how they’d argued before he was attacked. The last words she’d spoken to him. “You’re all right?”
“A little sore.” He patted the cervical collar that supported his neck.
Nora gently slid from the bed, taking care not to jostle him. She raised the head up for him. He’d kicked the sheets aside in his sleep, and she couldn’t help her smile at the sight of Seth’s hairy, muscular legs barely covered by the patient gown and the thigh-high surgical stockings. Pulling the sheets up to cover him, she busied herself by tucking them in around him.
“I’m sorry,” she stammered, wondering why he wasn’t furious at her, why he was treating her like everything was, well, normal. She’d almost gotten him killed.
“Is he—” His face clouded.
“Dead.” She paused, not sure how much to tell him. He’d hear it sooner or later. “So is Tommy Z.”
“Are you okay?” Seth grabbed her hand, stilling her movements, scrutinizing her.
“I’m fine.” For the first time in two years, she really, truly meant it.
He didn’t let go of her hand as he stretched his other one toward the bedside stand and a tray full of materials for dressing changes.
She grabbed the tray with its tape, bandages, scissors, and set it on his lap. “What do you need?”
He just smiled. Not his usual wide-eyed grin. This smile was tentative, as if he were trying something he’d never dared to try before. “A second chance. Close your eyes.”
She frowned at him. “Seth—”
“Just do it.”
She closed her eyes. A strange flutter took control of her heart. Not fear, not panic . . . anticipation.
He raised her left hand and she felt something slide down her ring finger. He kissed her hand.
Nora’s eyes popped open. He kept hold of her hand—a ring made of surgical tape sat on her finger.
The muscles around his mouth and jaw tightened as he worked to draw in a deep breath. “Nora, I love you. I want to marry you, have babies with you, share my life with you. I’m a selfish, inconsiderate, sometimes downright-stupid bastard. I’ll work long hours, forget birthdays and anniversaries, leave the toilet seat up, but if you’ll have me, I’m all yours.”
His voice broke at the end of the speech—and it had nothing to do with his injuries. He watched her, waiting.
She admired her makeshift ring. Better than any diamond. “What girl could resist a proposal like that?”
He started to smile, a real smile this time, then it faded. “Is that a yes?”
“Yes, yes, yes.” Just in case he still didn’t get it, she cradled his face in her hands and kissed him.
Not a perfect, Hollywood, fairy-tale kiss—far from it. A sloppy, nose-bumping, hard-to-avoid-his-left-side, clumsy, eager, excited, real-world kiss. An honest kiss that acknowledged past pain, future clashes, and present complications.
A kiss that said she knew him, he knew her.
A kiss that promised they belonged together.
NOTE TO READERS
Thank you for joining me for Nora’s story. I understand that her experiences may not be the usual subject matter for entertainment, but I needed to share her story in the most honest way possible. I’ve cared for too many assault victims to do otherwise while still honoring the trauma they survived.
Although Urgent Care is fiction, most of the facts surrounding Nora’s story are true: according to the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 60 percent of sexual assaults go unreported. Every two minutes someone in the U.S. becomes the victim of a sexual assault.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of a sexual assault, there are people who can help. Call 1.800.656.HOPE or go to www.RAINN.org for more information.
On a lighter note, if you’d like to learn more about how Gina and Jerry met, I’ve written a short story titled “Toxicity,” which will be available as a free download. See my website, www.cjlyons.net, for more details.
As always, there is a whole team behind the scenes helping me share the stories of the women of Angels of Mercy’s ER. I’d like to thank my agent, Anne Hawkins; the team at Berkley/Jove, including my editor, Shannon Jamieson Vazquez; and my ever-patient critique partners: Toni McGee Causey, Kim Howe, Margie Lawson, Caro line Males, and Lois Winston. Plus, a special shout-out to Joe Hartlaub for the Swahili translation.
I’d also like to thank all of you, my readers. Without you, these stories would never see the light of day. Thanks so very much for helping to spread the word about my books, for your wonderful fan letters (keep them coming!), for comments on my website, for the fun face-to-face meetings at book signings, and for your continued support. Feel free to send any comments to me at [email protected] and visit my website, www.cjlyons.net, for sneak peeks and insider information on upcoming books.
Thanks for reading!
CJ
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FROM NATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR
CJ Lyons
WARNING SIGNS
On rotation at Pittsburgh’s Angels of Mercy Medical Center and struggling to finish medical school, Amanda Mason can’t afford to make any mistakes—or to reveal a troubling secret. Mysterious symptoms that defy diagnosis have been affecting her performance, and as she struggles to keep control, the only person who seems to notice is the irritatingly observant—and sexy—Dr. Lucas Stone.
But when two patients who experienced the same strange symptoms die, and another slips into a coma, Amanda realizes the clock is ticking on her own survival...
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