Chapter 34

JANIE PAUSED OUTSIDEher brother’s hospital room the next morning. She’d spoken to the doctor and learned David was awake and asking for Maria. Although her brother’s prognosis was good, the road to recovery would take many long months and included a lot of physical therapy. He couldn’t go back to Chile soon.

She dreaded the next few minutes. How did you tell your brother that his wife had tried to kill him in order to be free to go to her lover, who might be the father of her baby? And to cap off the bad news, she had to tell David that he wouldn’t be able to live on his own for a long time.

A powerful arm circled her waist. “How can I help?” Sawyer asked, voice soft.

Tears burned her eyes as she turned into his arms and hugged him. “You’re already doing exactly what I need you to do. This will be hard. He hates depending on anyone. Now, he’ll be surrounded by people until he’s ready to live on his own. I also don’t know if his company will hold his job.”

“But he will recover. It’s a miracle he’s still alive, Janie. The details will work themselves out.”

“I’m afraid he’ll blame me.”

“How can he? The people who set things into motion are in jail. You’re as much a victim as he is.”

“I don’t know if he’ll see it that way.” Janie brushed his mouth with hers and stepped out of his embrace. “Come on. This won’t be easier if I delay.”

She knocked on the door and stepped inside the room. Her brother turned his head to stare at her, no expression on his face.

She tried not to let that rattle her as she walked to his bedside, with Sawyer at her side. “I’m glad you’re awake, David. I’ve been so worried about you.”

He struggled a moment, then said, “Why are you here?” His words were halting, as though he had to think hard to speak.

“To see you.”

“Want Maria.”

Her smile faded. “She can’t come, bro.”

“Why?”

“She’s in jail.”

He blinked. “No.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Lying.”

Sawyer squeezed Janie’s hand. “Let me,” he murmured. “David, Maria is responsible for your attack. She asked men from Vatos Locos to kill you so she could get her hands on the money from your grandmother’s trust fund, then she’d be free to go live with her lover.”

“No.”

“She’s also responsible for the gang hijacking Janie’s plane.”

“Lies.”

“Truth,” he countered. “Look, man, I’m sorry, but we have proof. Maria wanted you dead.”

David remained silent for a moment. “See her. Now.”

“The feds have her in custody, where she’ll stay until her trial. She’s dangerous to you and to Janie.”

Her brother turned his face away.

“I know this is hard to hear, but she kidnapped Janie yesterday morning and intended for her cousin Lorenzo to rape her, then kill her.”

David’s head snapped around. He glared at Sawyer.

“He’s telling you the truth,” Janie said. She took a chance and rested her hand on her brother’s arm. “That’s why my face is so bruised. Lorenzo hit me. If Sawyer and his teammates hadn’t arrived when they did, I wouldn’t be here. Sawyer saved my life, David.”

Her brother’s gaze slid to Sawyer, an unspoken question in his eyes.

“She saved my life, too. We’ll tell you the entire story later. It’s complicated and long.”

“Has the doctor talked to you about your prognosis?” Janie asked.

“No.”

She gently squeezed his arm. “You’re going to recover, but you need several months of therapy to get there.”

He shook his head. “No money.”

“You’re covered.”

“How?”

“Granny Irene. While I’m not allowed to give you money from the trust fund, I may take money out to pay for your medical needs. I checked with the family lawyer to confirm.”

“Job?”

“I’ll call your employer and talk to the human resources department this afternoon. The main thing you need to focus on is your health.”

“No place to go.”

“You’ll stay with us,” Sawyer said. “That’s another thing we need to talk about before the nurse kicks us out of here. Janie and I are getting married tomorrow.” He lifted her left hand and showed David the engagement ring he’d purchased first thing that morning. “I’d like your blessing.”

Silence, then, “If I say no?”

Janie’s heart sank.

“I’ll still marry her, but you’ll break your sister’s heart. I love her, David. You have my word of honor that I’ll never hurt Janie. She’ll always have first place in my heart and life.”

“Want the money.”

“No. I don’t want money from her or her trust fund. I’m well paid for what I do, and I need nothing from Janie except her love. I’ll take care of her and our children when we have them. Nothing in this world matters more to me than your sister.”

David studied him for a moment. Finally, he said, “Okay.”

“I have your permission to marry Janie?”

A slight nod.

The tears she’d been holding back now streamed down her cheeks. Janie bent and kissed her brother on the forehead. “Thank you. I have another question for you. No pressure, all right? Would you like to be present for the wedding?”

His forehead furrowed. “How?”

“We can get married here in your room. The doctor said he would allow Sawyer’s teammates and Brent and Rowan into the room as long as the ceremony was short.”

“Church.”

“When you’re better, you can walk me down the aisle for a formal wedding. However, we don’t want to wait to get married, and this will allow us to move you into our house as soon as you’re released.”

“Too much work for you.”

“Family is never too much work,” Sawyer said. “We’d be honored to have you with us until you’re ready to live alone. I’ll bring in private nurses until you can handle things on your own. You’re strong and stubborn. You’ll be back on your feet and able to care for yourself before long.”

“Sure?”

“We’re positive. This is what we both want, David. Will you let us help?”

Another slight nod. “Thanks.”

“I’m looking forward to getting to know you better over the next few months.”

The door opened, and the nurse stepped in. “It’s time to go. Mr. Moran needs to rest.”

Janie squeezed David’s arm again. “We’ll be back tomorrow. Do what the nurses tell you. They’ll call me if anything changes. If you want me to come back today, tell them and they’ll call me.”

“Wedding plans. Go.”

“I love you, David. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Outside in the hall, Janie beamed up at Sawyer. “You heard him. Wedding plans. Go.”

He chuckled. “We have a lot of work ahead of us today.”

“Want to change the plan?”

“Not a chance. I can’t wait to slide a wedding band on your finger tomorrow. I love you, Janie Moran almost Chapman.”

“I love you, Sawyer Chapman.” She couldn’t wait to see what tomorrow held and every day thereafter.

REBECCA DEEL ISa preacher’s kid with a black belt in karate. She teaches business classes at a private four-year college outside Nashville, Tennessee. She plays the piano at church, writes freelance articles, and runs interference for the family dogs. She’s been married to her amazing husband for more than 30 years and is the proud mom of two sons. She delivers occasional devotions to the women’s group at her church and conducts seminars on personal safety, money management, and writing. Her articles have been published in ONE Magazine, Contact, and Co-Laborer. Rebecca completed her Doctor of Arts degree in Economics and wears her favorite Dallas Cowboys sweatshirt when life turns ugly.