by Rebecca Deel
“Nick.”
He focused on the boots. They were getting larger. Larger? He grimaced, forced himself to concentrate. Boots can’t get larger. Must be coming closer.
“Nick.” Knees appeared in front of his face. “Can you hear me?”
He tried to answer Josh, but it came out a moan.
“I’m going to check for broken bones. Try not to move.”
No problem, took too much effort. Big hands felt along his arms. When they got to his ribs, Nick grunted. Yep, cracked ribs, all right. The knees moved away from his face. He waited. Why didn’t Josh check his legs? Was something covering his legs, pinning him down?
“Anything hurt besides the ribs?”
“Head.” Nick’s voice sounded rusty from disuse. “Madison?”
“She’s fine. Can you move your arms?”
Nick slowly clenched his hands into fists, breaking into a sweat with the effort.
“Good. What about your legs?”
He frowned, concentrated. Nothing.
“Nick?”
He tried again. No dice. “Can’t.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“Disobey a direct order again, you’ll be riding a desk.” Ethan ignored the sudden shocked silence in the hospital waiting room. “You aren’t a merc, Josh.”
The former soldier’s lips twitched. “Guess it’s a good thing you’re not my boss yet.”
Ethan scowled. Technically, Josh didn’t work for him yet, but his independent streak might land him in a minefield of trouble one day.
“Keep it up, bro, and you’ll be competing for the paperboy’s job.” Meg slapped a can of Coke into her brother’s hand. “Doc’s almost finished with Maddie. Nick’s in x-ray.”
“Any change in his condition?”
“Not that Mom could find out.” Meg smiled. “She’s hassling those nurses like a pro. I might hire her as a reporter.”
Serena stopped in the doorway and motioned to Ethan. “Maddie’s asking for you.” She led him down the hallway to one of the examination rooms. “I don’t think this is a conversation I need to be in on.”
He raised his eyebrows and, without comment, watched his soon-to-be wife walk back to the waiting room. He knocked on the examining room door and smiled at Madison. “Hi, beautiful.”
She made a face at him. “Beautiful? I look like a refugee from church camp.” Madison motioned him to her bedside. “Have you heard anything about Nick?”
“He’s in x-ray.”
“I heard one of the EMTs say he can’t feel his legs.” Her blue-eyed gaze held his. “Is that true?”
He didn’t know what to tell her or how much she could handle after all the trauma she’d endured the last two weeks. In the end, he opted for the truth. “That’s what he told Josh on the mountainside.”
“I want to see him, Ethan.” Her voice cracked. “I won’t let the doctors shut me out like they did when Luke died.”
He squeezed her hand. “It may be a while before we see Nick. In the meantime, tell me what happened after Ava kidnapped you in the parking lot at the hospital.” Ethan pulled out his notebook and pen. He let Madison tell her story without interruption. When she paused, he glanced up. “Anything wrong? Do I need to call a nurse?”
She waved his concern aside. “Something Ava said surprised me.”
“What?”
Madison’s face turned pink. “Well, she insinuated Nick was in love with me before . . .”
“Before Luke died,” Ethan finished for her. “Do you believe her?”
“It just seems so strange for her to say something like that.”
Another minefield to navigate. “Would your feelings for him change if what she said was true?”
After a minute, she said, “I don’t know.”
“Did he do or say anything to make you feel uncomfortable around him or lead Luke to believe there was a problem?”
She tilted her chin up in that stubborn manner he was all too familiar with. “Nick always acted with honor. Luke trusted him.”
“Maybe you should, too. Madison, there is a difference between loving someone and falling in love. Ava delivered that information with malicious intent. Don’t let her sow seeds of doubt.” He’d done what he could. The rest depended on her and Nick. Ethan smiled. “Ready to finish your statement?”
“Well, how are they?” Liz Cahill’s voice contained a hint of impatience.
Ethan grinned, amusement swirling through his gut. Mrs. Cahill was a force to be reckoned with. He almost felt sorry for the doctor.
“Ms. Ryder will be fine in a few days. Just a few scratches and bruises.”
“And Nick?”
The doctor hesitated. “Mr. Santana has some broken ribs, multiple abrasions.”
“What about his legs, Doc?” Ethan said.
“He’s already regaining some feeling in his legs, but he has a lot of inflammation in his back and re-injured those muscles weakened from the gunshot. The x-rays and MRI don’t show any injuries to his spine.” He smiled. “We’ll re-evaluate him after the swelling’s gone down, but I’d say he has a good chance for a full recovery.”
The silence in the room seemed deafening when the door closed behind the last Cahill. Nick eyed Ethan who’d remained, leaning against a wall. “Where’s Madison? Is she all right?”
“Doc Anderson ordered x-rays of her hip.” He uncrossed his arms and straightened. “Nice job out there, Nick.” Ethan approached the hospital bed. “You handled yourself and the situation well, didn’t let your emotions interfere too much with the objective.”
“Right, I just let Madison fall off the side of a mountain.”
“She said it was an accident. She got too close to the edge and the ground gave way.”
Nick crushed the sheet edge in his hand. “I couldn’t catch her.” He didn’t think he’d ever forget the horror on her face as she fell over the edge of the cliff. The echoes of her scream still made his blood run cold. He turned his face away from the police chief. “She could have died. Again.”
“But she didn’t.” Ethan pulled a chair close.
“Did you take Ava down?”
The police chief chuckled. “No. By the time we arrived, Madison had her at gunpoint.”
How could that be? “Madison would never shoot somebody to protect herself.”
“Ava intended to slide down that mountain and finish you off. Madison drew the weapon to protect you.”
Nick tried to speak, but couldn’t. Emotion swamped him. She’d faced down her worst fear to protect him.
“Now that Ava’s in jail, Madison will be ready to move on with her life. You going to be part of it?”
“I brought her nothing but pain.” Nick’s voice was husky as he refocused on the big policeman. “She lost everything because of me—her husband, child, business. The best thing I can do for Madison is get out of her life.”
Ethan’s lips curled at the corners. “Don’t make that decision for her.” He slid a hand into his pocket and gave Nick the gray jeweler’s box he’d slipped into the report packet. “You might need this.”
Nick swallowed hard and closed his hand around the box, the velvet texture soft against his skin. He opened the box and stared at the gleaming half-carat solitaire. He’d bought the ring on a whim, hoping, dreaming.
“Thought about what you’ll do next?”
Nick closed the lid and raised his head. “What do you mean?”
“You got out of law enforcement to pursue Luke’s killer. The chase is over. What’s next? You planning to stay private or go back to police work?”
He said nothing for a beat. “I’m not sure how much PI work I’d get in Otter Creek.” Nick closed his eyes. “Besides, I can’t stay if Madison is smart and kicks me out of her life.”
“Would you consider working for me?”
Nick’s eyes flew open. “Are you serious?”
“You’re a good investigator with high recommendations from your captain.” Ethan shrugged. �
�I pushed the town council for funds to hire two officers, and I’d like one of them to be you.”
“When do I have to give you an answer?”
“Soon.” Ethan smiled. “You’ll want to talk to Madison before you make a decision.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Just the possibility of getting back into police work full-time filled him with longings he’d pushed aside for two years. He’d give anything to go back into law enforcement. Well, almost anything. If Madison let him stay in her life, could she cope with him being a cop again?
Madison tapped on the door, her palms sweaty. The rumble of male voices stopped. She peered around the doorway. Nick’s white bandages stood out in stark contrast to his dark complexion, now darker from bruises.
Ethan stood and waved her inside the room. “I’ll talk to you more later, Nick.” He winked at her on his way out of the room.
She stared after him as the door shut in his wake. What was that about? Madison limped to Nick’s bedside and grasped his outstretched hand. “How are you?” Her gaze raked over his scratched face.
“Better, now that I’ve seen you.” He smiled, a light glowing in his eyes. He tugged her over to sit beside him. “You saved my life today, Madison.”
Oh, man, did he have to talk about that now? Tears banished to oblivion came back in spades, spilling rivers down her cheeks. “Ava was going to shoot you.”
Nick curled his hand around the back of her neck and, with gentle pressure, brought her head close. The warmth of his kiss melted the icy fear that had gripped her heart since she’d been kidnapped. He cupped her face between his hands, wiping away her tears with his thumbs.
Madison sat back with a soft sigh and interlaced their fingers. “What does the doctor say about you?”
“Broken ribs, a few stitches, bruises.” He tightened his grip on her hand. “Nothing serious.”
“And your legs?”
He grimaced. “I can feel every aching inch.”
Relief surged through her. “I’ll never forget the ledge collapsing, your fall.” Madison forced the words past her tight throat. “I thought you were dead.”
“But you still faced Ava down with my gun.”
Heat rose in her cheeks. “She was going to make sure you were dead. I couldn’t let her near you.” She wrinkled her nose. “Good thing Ethan arrived when he did. You know what a horrible shot I am.”
“Ava’s an expert marksman,” Nick said in a near whisper. “She would have killed you.”
“I had to try.” He turned his head away, but not before she noticed the look of pain on his face. “What’s wrong?” With closed eyes, he shook his head.
She sat in silence, caressed the back of his hand. Finally, she broke the quiet. “Talk to me, Nick.”
His eyes were damp as he turned to face her. “Why did you put yourself at risk? It’s my fault Luke and Malachi are dead. If I’d never been in your life, you would still have a family. All I’ve done is hurt you. You should have let Ava climb down that mountain and run for help for yourself.”
Didn’t he understand what she tried to tell him on Brockman’s Ridge, the significance of removing her wedding rings? “Nick, I didn’t know if you were alive or not, but I wasn’t going to let her destroy our chance for a life together. I love you.”
Bright light flared in his eyes. “You’re sure? After everything I’ve done to you?”
“You aren’t to blame for the accident or anything else. Ava made bad choices that hurt a lot of people, including you. We can’t turn back the clock or wonder what would’ve happened if we’d done something different. Dwelling on the ‘what-ifs’ will drive us crazy.”
Madison smiled, lifted his hand, and kissed his scraped knuckles. “We can’t undo the past. All I can do is step forward in faith. I would like to walk the rest of my days with you.”
Nick’s grip on her hand bordered on painful, the expression on his face haunted. His voice thick, he said, “You can’t imagine how happy that makes me feel, but I won’t have secrets between us. You deserve honesty—even if I lose you because of it.” He stared at her, as if memorizing her face before a long separation. “I love you, Madison, but the truth is I’ve loved you for more than two years.”
So, Ava was right. Peeking through his blank expression was the fear she’d reject him. “I know.” She felt a tremor ripple through his body. Ethan’s words surfaced in her mind. Her almost brother-in-law was right. There was a difference between loving someone and falling in love. “When did you fall in love with me, Nick?”
“The night we lost Luke. Can you live with that?”
Madison smiled. “I could live with that kind of man if he’d ever ask me to marry him.”
Nick kissed her bare left hand, his gaze never leaving hers. “So, will you marry me, Madison?”
She leaned close, her lips touching his. “Nick Santana, I would love to marry you.” When she came up for air, he slid his hand under the sheet gathered at his waist, pulled out a small box and opened it.
“I wanted to propose in a more romantic setting, but I’m not chancing some other man stealing your heart while my ribs heal.” He slid a platinum ring on her finger, the emerald-cut diamond glittering in the light.
Her breath caught in her throat. “It’s beautiful,” she managed.
“Not as beautiful as you, baby.”
“Should I come back later?” Marcus Lang stood in the doorway with a broad smile on his face. “Or may I be the first to offer congratulations?”
Madison laughed. “You’re just the man we need to see. How fast can we arrange for a marriage license?”
Pastor Lang chuckled. “A couple of days since we’ll have to work in some pre-marital counseling sessions.”
“Great. Nick’s pretty confined right now. I’d say he’s free. Does a wedding Friday at 2:00 work for your schedule?”
“Madison!”
She turned with a mischievous grin on her face. “What’s the matter, Nick? You have pressing business to take care of Friday?”
His mouth gaped. “You don’t want a big wedding?”
“I’ve already done that. Besides, I don’t want to steal the limelight from Serena’s wedding or cause Mom a nervous breakdown planning two weddings.” Madison sobered. “I almost lost you twice. I’m not waiting.”
“What about your family? I haven’t talked to your father yet.”
She smiled. “Trust me, babe, the only surprise will be the date.”
The next few minutes passed in a daze for Nick. He’d dreamed so long of a chance with Madison that now he found it hard to grasp the near reality.
After Pastor Lang left, Nick knew his time alone with Madison would end at any moment. Mrs. Cahill would check on him soon. “Madison, Ethan offered me a job.”
Her smile faded. “As a cop?”
“If you can’t handle being a cop’s wife again, I’ll turn him down.” He waited. He meant what he told her. Nick wanted back in law enforcement, but not at the expense of Madison’s peace of mind. He could almost see the turmoil and conflicting emotions as she thought through Ethan’s offer.
“Would you keep working as a private investigator if you didn’t take this job?”
“Probably.”
A slow smile spread across her face. “Then tell Ethan you accept. I want another cop watching your back.”
“Is that for publication?”
Madison turned and grinned at her sister. “Hi, Meg. Better ask Ethan before you print that, but you can write up a wedding announcement for tomorrow’s edition.”
“Yes!” Meg dashed back to the door. “Hey, guys, get in here. Madison and Nick are getting married!”
Within seconds, his hospital room filled with excited Cahills and a grinning police chief. To his relief, even Mr. Cahill seemed pleased by the announcement.
While Serena hugged Madison, she said, “When are you getting married?”
Madison slipped out of her sister’s embrace with a twinkle in her eyes
and grasped Nick’s hand. “Friday.”
“Friday?” Serena squealed. “Ethan, take me home. I have a wedding cake to bake.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Madison stood behind the crowd seated by the coffee bar. Her husband’s fingers almost danced over the strings of his guitar. She glanced around the store, her gaze touching the new cubby holes full of yarn on one side of the building, row after row of filled bookshelves on the other, all sitting atop an oak hardwood floor.
A burst of applause brought her attention back to Nick. She might be biased, but she thought him the most handsome man in the store. He weaved through the dispersing crowd to her side.
Madison threw her arms around his neck. “Your music is magic, sweetheart.”
Nick chuckled and placed a light kiss on her lips, his hands at her waist. “Heard the cash register ringing while I played. Sales good?”
She grinned. “My knitters saved their money for The Bare Ewe’s grand re-opening. I’ll have to place another yarn order next week. And Del looks pretty busy, too.”
Josh walked up and clapped Nick on the shoulder. “Great concert, bro. You recording that new CD next month?”
“December 27th.” Nick nodded at the big bag in Josh’s hand. “Leave any books for the rest of us?”
Josh chuckled, his face flushing, and shifted the bag to his other hand. “A few. Del has a good selection.”
Madison’s eyebrow shot up. Despite the uniform, her brother looked like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “So you met my partner. What did you think of her?”
The flush deepened. “She’s nice.”
Nice, huh? She narrowed her eyes in speculation, wondering. When she looked at Nick, she caught an amused twinkle in his eyes. “You’ll have to tell her what kind of books you like, Josh. I’m sure she’ll be happy to order whatever you want.”
“Right. Well, my break time’s gone. Catch you later, sunshine.” He tweaked her nose, slipped through the crowd and out the door to his police cruiser.
