The Wilde One (Old Town Country Romance)
Page 15
“What I need to do is take care of Gracie. I made her a promise to her and I intend to keep it.”
When my brother looks at me, I can see in his eyes he’s dead serious. “I know you love Gracie and you’ll give your life to protect her but I think she would rather have a living, breathing boyfriend than a dead hero.”
“I just need to see her,” I say.
“I know,” my brother says as he gets up to find her.
***
“Oh, Man,” Cooper says as he takes a seat next to my bed. “Just what kind of precedent are you trying to set here?”
I would frown but my head hurts.
“What do you mean?” My voice still sounds so weak I can barely recognize it as my own.
“Playing hero. Risking your life to save Gracie. You know Riley’s going to expect me to save her life too.”
“Funny,” I reply.
I can see a smile form in the corner of Cooper’s mouth. He rarely smiles so I take it as a good sign.
“Seriously.” He pats my arm. “I’m glad you’re okay. It was a little touch and go there for a while.”
“Hey, they say cats have nine lives. Maybe I still have a few more in me too.”
His eyes narrow. “Don’t press your luck.”
“Don’t worry, Bro. I can handle it.”
***
“Tucker.” When I hear Gracie’s small voice I realize I must have fallen asleep again.
When she takes my hand in hers, I feel like my tilted universe is finally set straight again.
I look up at her and she looks so beaten it takes the little breath I have right out of my lungs. I want so badly to be able to heal her. To take all of her cuts and bruises away. But I know only time can do that.
I see tears start to roll down her cheeks and I have the overwhelming urge to take her into my arms and comfort her. But I can’t. Not now anyway. Not while I’m still in this hospital, hooked up to all the machines.
“Please don’t cry,” I whisper.
“I’m so sorry,” she says.
“Why?”
“You almost died. To save me. This is all my fault.”
I shake my head. “No. It was my choice. And it’s a choice I’d make again. I told you I’d do anything to protect you and I meant it. I always keep my promises.”
“I love you, Tucker.” Gracie leans down and places a soft kiss on my cheek.
She loves me. Gracie Parker loves me. It was almost worth getting stabbed just to hear those three words.
Almost.
“I love you, too, Gracie,” I say. “Now come here.”
Gracie comes closer and I give her a real kiss. It’s a bit of a strain, and takes about as much energy as I can muster, but it’s worth it.
***
Déjà vu. That’s what I feel when I enter the house again after being in the hospital for almost ten days. Last time I was in the hospital, I was blown up. This time, I was stabbed. I just hope I’m never shot.
“Are you sure you’re okay.” Gracie’s voice is filled with concern. “I can get Jake to help you.”
“I can handle it,” I say as I make my way up the stairs. I can’t wait to sleep in my own bed, with my girl. Thinking about being with Gracie again is the one thing that has kept me sane lying in that hospital bed.
It takes me a few seconds to realize that I’ve actually entered my bedroom. It looks completely different.
I glance over at Gracie and her eyes are wide with anticipation. “I hope you don’t mind. Riley and Harley helped me redecorate.”
The walls are no longer stark white. They’re repainted a light beige color with chocolate color trim. There are matching beige and brown curtains and the bed now has a beautiful comforter and decorative pillows which are also in the beige and chocolate color. There are even small brown rugs on the floor next to the bed. On the dresser and night stand are vases filled with winter roses and there are even several prints on the wall that are decorated with winter roses.
“Where did you get the money for all of this?” The room looks like it just came alive off the pages of one of those fancy decorator magazines.
Gracie gulps. “You don’t like it?”
“I didn’t say that.”
She’s blinking back tears and I feel like a complete jerk. I take her into my arms. “I love it. It’s absolutely beautiful. But I don’t want you to spend your money like this. You’re supposed to be saving for a new car. Tell me how much you spent. I’ll give you the money.”
She shakes her head. “I did this for you. It’s your welcome home present. I wanted it to be fresh and new. Like a new start. A new life. For the two of us.”
I can feel my throat getting tight. This is exactly what I want. A fresh start. A new life with Gracie. “Thank you. I love it. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
I kiss her. “Now you know what we need to do? Break in the new bedroom.”
Gracie gives me a sexy little grin. “Are you sure you’re ready for that?”
I nod. “Oh, yes. I’m ready. I think we’re going to be spending quite a bit of time in this newly decorated bedroom.”
Epilogue
Tucker
Four Months Later
“Can I see it now?” Gracie asks.
“It’s a surprise.” I know I’ve been teasing her but I didn’t want her to see it until the day of her graduation.
“I’m nervous,” Gracie admits. She’s already changed outfits three times even though she’s looked absolutely stunning in each of them.
I take her hands in mine and I can feel she’s shaking. “It’ll be fine.”
“I don’t like being the center of attention.”
“But that’s the whole point. We’re celebrating your graduation from high school. It’s a big deal.”
“It’s a GED completion program. I’m not sure it’s that big a deal.”
I kiss each of her hands. “You worked hard for this and I’m very proud of you.”
She smiles. “Hunter’s the one you should be proud of. He graduated from the police academy. Now that’s a big deal.”
“Two graduation parties for the price of one.” We both laugh.
She’s giving me that look that says she’s not letting me off the hook that easily.
“Fine, you can see it.”
I unbutton my shirt and remove it. Gracie’s eyes light up when she sees my new tattoo. It’s completely covering the scar where Dex stabbed me. It’s an intricate design of vines and winter roses.
Gracie slowly outlines the design with her finger. “It’s beautiful.”
“It’s a symbol of you. I told you how much you reminded me of my mom’s winter roses. I decided from now on any new tattoos were going to symbolize the living people who are important to me. Starting with the most important.”
“I love it.”
“And there’s still plenty of room to add some tattoos over here.” I point to the other side of my abdomen.
Her eyes narrow. “Really? And who are you going to symbolize on that side of your body?”
I shrug. “I was thinking maybe that’s where I’d put the tattoos for each of our kids.”
She smiles. “Kids, huh? We’re not even married.”
“Not yet,” I correct.
“We’ve only been together a few months.”
“I told you the Wilde brothers fall fast and we fall hard.”
“College first, remember?”
“Whatever you say.” I give her a kiss. “I’m all yours.”
“Are you sure this looks okay?” She gives me a quick twirl in her dress.
“Better than okay,” I say. “You look amazing.”
“We don’t want to keep your family waiting.”
Jake closed down Haymakers early so we could have a big party to celebrate the two graduates.
“I guess only one question remains,” I say as I take the keys to my truck out of my pocket. “Which one of us is going to drive
?”
THE OLD TOWN COUNTRY ROMANCE series:
Wilde Riders (Cooper’s Story) – AVAILABLE NOW
The Wilde One (Tucker’s Story) – AVAILABLE NOW
A Wilde Night (Hunter’s Story) – AVAILABLE EARLY SUMMER 2014
Wilde Times (Jake’s Story) – AVAILABLE LATE SUMMER 2014
About the Songwriter
Dan Patrick Fulton is a singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles. He began writing songs as a high school student in Minnesota and started his first band while attending college in St. Louis, Missouri. Alongside his music, Dan also pursues his interests in writing and acting.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danpatrickfulton
Website: http://danpatrickfulton.com/
About the Author
Savannah Young grew up in rural northwest New Jersey in a place very similar to the fictional Old Town, which is featured in her books. When she's not at her computer creating spicy stories, Savannah is traveling to exotic locales or spending time with her husband and their bloodhounds.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SavannahYoungAuthor
Savannah’s Blog: http://oldtowncountryromance.tumblr.com
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