Desert Heat

by A. D. Herrick

  It took all the strength I possessed to crack my lids open even the slightest bit. Bright light streamed through the slivers, sending searing pain through my head. I coiled back, groaning against the pain.

  “It’s going to be alright, I have you, Ducky.” I felt hot tears of relief streaming down my cheeks at the sound of Luka’s voice.

  I couldn’t open my eyes wide enough to see him. But I heard him. I felt him. I felt his warmth pass through me, easing my fears. He provided me comfort and support when I wanted nothing more than to fall apart.

  I had so many questions I needed answers to. What happened to Bob? How did I get in the hospital? How did Luka find me?

  I willed my mouth to work. Much like my eyes it failed to open. I felt helpless. I could feel the fear and panic creeping up my spine, though shielded through Luka’s touch; I could feel it lying in the recesses, threatening to consume me.

  “Squeeze my hand if you can hear me Ducky.” I could hear the pain and sorrow in Luka’s voice.

  I wanted nothing more than to wrap him in my arms, shield him from whatever was hurting him. I wanted to be the balm that soothed away his pain.

  I put all of my energy into moving my hand, anything to give him a sign that I was there. I was with him.

  “That’s my girl.” I heard him say, his voice gruff with emotion.

  “Do you remember what happened?” He asked.

  My mouth refused to work. My voice stolen. I tried to squeeze his hand again. Give him a sign that I was still there, I was listening.

  “You were so brave, Ducky.” Luka’s voice broke as he spoke, breaking my heart along with it.

  “Don’t cry, baby.” The use of the endearment baby shattered me.

  He had never called me baby before, always Ducky, making the tears fall faster. I felt the tender touch of his thumb as he wiped away my tears.

  I only wished that I could do the same for him.

  “You did so well, my brave girl. You led Bob out to the desert. I know he hurt you baby. But you got him where you needed him to be.” Luka paused, sniffing away his tears.

  “That damn coyote you nearly bit my head off about came to your rescue.” Luka chuckled lightly as he spoke.

  I felt his laughter wash over me. I loved the sound of his voice, but even more I loved the sound of his laughter, even if it was at my expense. I wished that I could speak now, so that I could rub it in his face how right I was about the pretty dog in the desert. He could call it a coyote all he wanted; to me it was just a wild dog in need of love.

  “I wished I hadn’t run out baby, you don’t know how sorry I am. If I had stayed... If I hadn’t run away… this would have never happened.” I didn’t think my heart could break any more than it had already, but I was proven wrong.

  I hated that he beat himself up over this. I hated that he thought it was all his fault. None of it was his fault. If he had been there he could have been hurt. Bob could have attacked him. That was not something I could have lived with, knowing my actions resulted in him ever being hurt.

  I squeezed his hand with all my might.

  “No.”

  The single word barely crossed my lips, but somehow I managed to get it out through the pain of my parched throat and swollen jaw.

  “Oh, Ducky.” Luka’s lips pressed lightly against mine, stealing my breath in their wake.

  I tried to stay with him. I tried to absorb all of the love I felt pouring from the kiss of his flesh against mine, but try as I may, my body could not hold out. Soon I felt myself drifting back to sleep. My already closed eyes felt weighted with sand as I drifted off.

  Chapter twenty-two

  The past week had been one of the longest weeks of my life. Since the moment I woke up, Luka had been by my side. He stood by me as I healed from my injuries, never once wavering or complaining. Well he complained, but not about being by my side. He complained about me forcing him to go home to shower and see to our pups. As much as I loved having him by my side I hated the feeling of weakness that shrouded over me as I lay helpless in the hospital bed.

  Chicken and Waffles had thankfully survived. Both were being taken care of by Doctor McGregor. The pups had received minor injuries from their scuffle with Bob. I praised God every day for their speedy recovery. Though I had not had them long, they were my everything, my fur babies. I would do anything to protect them, just as they had for me.

  Bob was being treated for severe injury caused by my sweet friend Mrs. Coyote. He had suffered severe blood loss and permanent disfigurement from the attack, none of which I was particularly upset about. Once he recovers he will be doing time behind bars for more charges than I can remember, attempted murder being number one. He was expected to spend a great deal of time in the Nevada penal system before being shipped to Florida for time there as well for another long list of crimes including spousal abuse, stalking, cruelty to animals, and arson.

  Between the police report and the long talks Luka and I shared after I was able to speak again, I learned the full story of what had transpired after Bob had knocked me unconscious.

  I had been taken down by a Tarantula Hawk. Which I learned is a spider wasp that takes down tarantulas. Just the thought gives me chills down my spine. I can still remember the flaming pain shooting up my leg from its sting.

  While I had been running through the desert I must have stepped on one which is why I had fallen. The commotion from the pursuit had attracted the wildlife, namely my savior coyote. The coyote had lunged at Bob, pulling his focus off of me before he could bash my head in any further.

  Sam had called Luka to explain the miscommunication between he and I just after I had hung up with her. Forever sticking her nose in my business, I forgave her immediately.

  Luka had returned to the house, finding the dogs whimpering and the front door wide open he went in search for me. The loud screams of Bob as he was fighting against the coyote led Luka straight to us.

  Luka had carried me to safety, calling an ambulance once he had me back at home. It wasn’t until the police arrived that Bob was rescued from the coyote.

  “Hey future husband Mack Daddy Sexy Pants, you’re looking rather sexy today.” Luka looked like a wet dream come to life.

  His dark blonde hair which had grown long in the past week was now cropped short, the scruff along his jaw begged to have my hands running through it. His blue eyes shined brightly as they landed on me clad in my hospital gown.

  “Hey, yourself, Ducky, my gorgeous future wife, how are you feeling today?” He asked, flashing me a bright smile that lit up his face.

  Luka had proposed the moment I was able to speak. I didn’t hesitate in accepting. He was it for me. I didn’t care that we had only known each other a short while. I didn’t care that I was beaten to a pulp, laying in a hospital bed when he asked. I only cared that he was going to be the man that I spent the rest of my life with.

  We hadn't set a date, but from the way he spoke I knew it wouldn't be long after I was released from the hospital, making my stay here feel like an eternity.

  “The doctors tell me I’ll only survive if I have a kiss from the sexiest man alive.” I held my arms open for him, begging for his sweet embrace.

  Luka came to me, the bed dipping as he sat on the edge of the narrow mattress, careful not to disturb the wires and tubes that hung from my arms and chest.

  “True love’s kiss huh?” He smirked, wrapping me into the folds of his arms as he pressed his lips to mine, silencing my reply.

  This was heaven, being wrapped in his arms. The world faded away once he had me is his grasp. When I was with him nothing else mattered.

  “Mmhmm, I believe that’s exactly what he said.” I replied, smiling against his lips.

  “Well, we should do it again, just to be safe.”

  “Mmhmm.” I agreed, pressing my lips to his as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

  I held him closely, my lips locked onto his, savoring the feel of him in my arms.

&
nbsp; We had spoken in length about my release from the hospital. Luka wanted me home with him. He had declared, without a moment’s hesitation, that it was our home and that I was expected to be there, with him, and our fur babies. As much as I wanted to disagree, my house had burnt to the ground and I had nowhere else to go. Besides, leaving Luka behind was not an option.

  When I told Sam about my decision to stay in Nevada with Luka she was happy for me but made us both promise to come to her wedding, as if we would miss it. When I told her he asked me to marry him I thought my eardrum was going to burst. She made me swear not to do it without her. We didn’t want anything fancy, just a few close friends. I promised her that she would not only be the first to know but it was required of her to be there by my side for the whole thing.

  The sound of a throat clearing pulled us from our make out session. Doctor Goodwin stood just inside the doorway, a knowing smirk on his face.

  “Hey, Doc, what’s the word?” I asked, my hand clutching Luka’s firmly as I drew strength from him.

  I had been begging to go home for a while now. I was ready to be back in our bed, wearing normal clothes and sleeping with Luka pressed against me.

  “All of your tests have come back.” He paused, his eyes leveling with mine.

  I could feel my pulse accelerating; fear began to creep up my spine.

  “And?” I prodded, dying to know what the results were.

  “Your blood work looks good; the break to your nose was clean and is healing nicely. Your maxillary fracture is healing nicely as well; we don’t foresee any deformity taking place but you will still need to keep an eye on the area. If you spot any sign of change or deformity get back to the hospital. You will still need to be protective of your head and neck, most particularly your face. Remember to ice it to keep the swelling down. You’re still on a liquid diet, so no going crazy on the solid foods.” The warning face he was giving me was clear.

  He had not forgotten catching Luka sneaking me in real food, a big juicy hamburger. I had to bite back the smile that threatened to split my face at the memory Luka and I had been caught like two high schoolers making out in the back of a car.

  “I’ve run a few more tests but I would like to speak to you about them privately.” Doctor Goodwin’s face gave nothing away, making my heartbeat kick up a notch.

  Latching onto Luka’s hand I held on tightly silently begging him to stay with me.

  “Whatever you have to say you can say in front of Luka. We don’t have any secrets.” Luka squeezed my hand in reassurance, placing a light kiss to my temple.

  “Ms. Gaines, were you aware that you were pregnant?”

  The world stood still.

  I knew in the back of my mind that it was a possibility. Luka and I had used no protection nor had we spoke about it. We had been so caught up in our passion for one another that it was always somehow put on the backburner, never once making its way to the forefront of conversation.

  I held my breath waiting for Luka’s response. He told me he loved me, probably a million times over and asked me to marry him. But would that love be enough? Would he think I had done this on purpose to trap him? Was a baby something he even wanted in his life? We had only known one another for such a short time. I know we have puppies, but puppies, though thoroughly loved, were nowhere near the commitment level of an actual child.

  “I’ll give you two a few minutes.” Doctor Goodwin gave me a sympathetic smile before turning to leave.

  “We’re having a baby?” Luka asked, his voice low and full of disbelief.

  “That’s what he said.” I replied, staring at our joined hands.

  I was too afraid to look him in the eyes, scared of what I might find. Would he be angry? Disappointed? Disgusted? I didn’t know and was too big a coward to find out.

  “A baby?” He said again, his voice just above a whisper.

  I didn’t bother answering. Closing my eyes, I fought against the tears that threatened to spill.

  Gentle hands cupped my cheeks.

  “Ducky, we’re having a baby.” I opened my eyes to find Luka’s eyes shining bright with tears, a mile-wide smile splitting his face.

  “How do you feel? Do you need anything? We’re having a baby!” Any doubt I had about how Luka felt vanished as he peppered my face with kisses, careful not to disturb my battered cheek.

  “So this is okay? You’re happy?” I asked, needing verbal confirmation.

  “Are you kidding me? I’m ecstatic. We need to tell Sam.” I couldn’t help but laugh at his excitement as he pulled out his phone.

  His smile was wide enough to engulf his face as he dialed Sam on his phone.

  “Hey, is everything okay? How’s Sasha?” I could hear the worry in Sam’s voice.

  It tugged at my heart that my best friend was worried about me.

  “We’re having a baby.” Luka yelled out excitedly into the receiver.

  “What? Who’s having a baby? Where’s Sasha?” Sam questioned in disbelief.

  “I’m right here Sam.” I plucked the phone from Luka’s hand, shaking my head with a chuckle.

  “Who’s having a baby Tiger?” Sam asked in confusion.

  “Luka and I are having a baby.” I laughed.

  Luka rested his head against my flat stomach, his body contorted in what looked to be the most uncomfortable position. Lovingly I stroked the top of his head as he spoke in hushed whispers to the tiny speck growing in my stomach.

  “How did this happen?” Sam’s question had me laughing harder.

  “When a Mack Daddy Sexy Pants loves a Ducky very much…” I laughed as I tried to explain using mine and Luka’s outrageous pet names.

  “Wait a minute, who’s Mack Daddy Sexy Pants?” Sam asked, making me laugh even harder than before.

  I squelched my legs together to avoid wetting myself as tears rained down my face from laughter.

  “Stop it; you’re going to make me pee on Luka.” I cried into the phone, struggling beneath Luka’s weight to clench my legs closed to avoid peeing on him.

  Luka snatched the phone from my hands.

  “Sam, if you make her pee on me I will personally tie you to a cactus, cover you in honey, and leave you for the wildlife. We’ll call you in a bit. Ducky sends her love.” With that he ended the call, slipping the phone back into his pocket.

  “Up you go, Ducky.” Luka offered me a hand to help me to the bathroom.

  “What are we going to do? I don’t have a job. How are we going to afford a baby?” Panic had begun to seize my heart as reality sank in.

  “Breathe, Ducky. You don’t have to worry about work right now, or ever.” Luka said as he rubbed small circles along my back as he led me toward the small bathroom.

  “How will we afford everything?” I looked up to him with watery eyes begging for answers.

  “Just because I moved to the desert doesn’t mean I left all my money behind. I’m still considered one of the richest men in the country. I never gave up my share of the businesses I owned. I just took a step away from the limelight.” The look on his face was that of confidence in his ability to care for me and our future baby.

  I trusted him implicitly. If he said we would be okay then I knew we would. I let out a long slow breath.

  “We’re having a baby.” I smiled up at him brightly, ignoring the pain in my face from smiling so big.

  Luka chuckled. “Come on, let’s get you to the bathroom before you make good on your threat.”

  I let him take my hand, and in that moment he also took my entire heart. It would be a rough adjustment but it was more than worth it. We were going to have a family, one with both fur babies and now an actual baby. I couldn’t have been happier.

  About The Author

  A. D. Herrick was born and raised in Southern California though currently resides in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband, 3 children, a handful of furbabies. Though she was born and raised in the big city, she is a country girl at heart with a taste for smolderin
g hot men.