Chapter 19

19

A fter a few days of bed rest, my cuts are healing nicely. It's mostly just a handful that still have some stitches and my shoulder, which gives me pain to the point where I'll wake in agony, covered in sweat.

Hunter has been sleeping in my bed with me, and I find it comforting. Over the last four nights, it's become a routine that neither of us have spoken about. Simply listening to his breathing settles my racing heart.

I still have thoughts of Miles coming back for me, even though I know he's dead. But Hunter settles those thoughts because I know he's here.

May has been with me whenever Hunter has had to leave to take care of business. It's always with Landon when he does, which makes me feel better about him going. For some reason, the idea of him going alone doesn't sit right with me.

"I think you should still rest. You don't want to bust a stitch," Hunter argues.

Too bad for him that I've already pulled myself out of bed and gotten dressed. "I need fresh air. I want out of this room. There are only so many action movies I can watch."

He huffs. "Fine." Then he walks out of the room, leaving the door open.

He knows I can manage just fine without him, and I think that's what makes him all protective because I don't need him so much anymore.

I select a long summery floral dress from the closet. Thankfully, my clothes were brought in from my other room a few days ago.

I'm not sure how I'll react when I step back in there.

This room is Hunter's. His bed smells like him, and I decide I like it. When we'd watch movies, I would find myself wanting to hold his hand and shuffle closer to him, only I didn't want him to think it meant anything. And when he fell asleep before me, I'd reach over and rest my hand on his shoulder. Somehow, it would soothe my nerves, making it easier to shut my eyes.

Undoing my shirt buttons, I slip my arms out and stare at the dress, deciding how best to pull it over my head since I can't really lift my arm. During this recovery process, I discovered that button-ups are easier with my shoulder, but I didn't think things through, opting for something I need to pull over my head.

I decide pulling it up from the bottom might be easier, but as I'm bending over to pull it up, a shiver runs down my spine. I instantly whip around to find Hunter staring at me, hunger in his eyes.

My heart rate jumps, but I don't scream at him to get out. In fact, I don't mind that he saw me.

"Want to help?" I swallow.

Hunter stands there, watching silently. And a new sensation settles over me. With one look, this man sets my body off like a live wire, and I find myself trying to swallow again, but my mouth has gone dry.

Finally, he steps closer, and his hands come to my exposed hips as I continue to try and wriggle the dress up. The sudden contact and my compromised position make my breath hitch. He stares down at me, his hands gliding up from my waist over my ribs and stopping at the nape of my neck. My entire body feels like it might combust on the spot.

My good hand comes up and rests on his.

Our eyes connect, then I glance at his lips and back up again. He catches the movement, and I step closer to him. Butterflies swarm my stomach, goose bumps covering my flesh from how his eyes bore into mine.

In one swift move, his head comes down, and his mouth crashes into mine. My hand roams up into his hair, gripping tight. He breaks the kiss, trailing his mouth down my neck, and I welcome it, my head falling back, eagerly allowing him access.

I need this connection.

I need him .

A groan escapes my lips, and Hunter's mouth is back on mine. It's like a wrestle of who can overpower who. He's electrified every nerve ending in my body and heightened them tenfold. His arms wrap around me, and he pulls me against him. I hiss in pain, and as quickly as he took my mouth, he drops his arms, taking a step back.

"I'm sorry. I know I said I wouldn't do that again," Hunter apologizes, but his eyes are flaring with the same heat I'm feeling.

I want, no, need, his touch. We're like fire and ice. He's the fire, always hot and demanding, and I'm the ice, cold and distant. I step close, deciding to take a chance again. My hand comes up to his lightly stubbled face. "It's okay," I whisper, then pop up on my tiptoes, pulling him to me.

This time, the kiss isn't as hungry as the one before. We taste each other, and I know in my heart that I need to put my trust in him.

Pulling back, he stares at me. There's a flare of desire burning in his eyes.

"Let's go for a walk," I offer, knowing things need to cool down.

His lips pull up into a smile, and he nods.

"But first, let me finish getting ready."

"If you weren't injured, I'd not let you finish getting dressed," he says, a low rumble in his chest that makes my stomach clench with excitement.

We've shared many kisses, but I'm sure they're nothing compared to what he's like between the sheets. Just the thought makes my thighs tremble, and a need builds deep within.

I know my cheeks are rosy, but I don't try to hide them. "While that is tempting, I still need to trust you."

His lips form a thin line, but he says nothing. I know what I said hit a nerve. I need him to show me he trusts me. Only then, maybe I can allow him to hold the piece of my heart that I've held close and protected my whole life.

* * *

Hunter finishes helping me get ready and says he has to make a few phone calls. There is a shift between us, but I'm not sure if it's good or bad.

I slowly walk past my old room, and thankfully, the door is shut. My legs become weak, and I'm not sure I'll make it past. I stop, taking deep breaths, steadying my racing, anxious heart.

Once in control, I continue, and with each step, the weakness leaves my legs.

I take an apple and carrot from the refrigerator, slipping on the boots May gave me. Then, I head out the back door toward the barn.

I know I'll eventually have to face that bedroom, but it's still too fresh in my mind right now.

Pulling open the barn door, I catch May mucking out the stalls. She looks up at the sound of the door squeaking. "Hey, honey. How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay. I'm sick of looking at the four walls of the bedroom."

She places the shovel against the stall door and removes her gloves, opening her arms and embracing me gently. I inhale her peppermint and lavender scent and can't help but relax a little in the comfort. "Did you have to fight Hunter to let you out?"

I roll my eyes. "Yes. He seems to think I need to be wrapped in cotton wool."

May takes my good hand. "Hunter isn't one who shows his emotions."

She isn't wrong.

"The night that Miles came here, and Hunter found you in the paddock? I've never seen him so scared."

Perhaps I'll get the answers I want from May since Hunter won't give me anything.

I shift on my feet. "What exactly happened that night? My mind is blank, and Hunter won't talk to me about it. I think I deserve answers."

May nods as she turns and closes the stall door. "Come with me. Let's go sit out here." She gestures to the back of the barn.

She leads me to a timber swing chair overlooking the paddock. It's a beautiful spot. "Sit," she says, and I happily join her. "Your grandfather made this chair." She touches the armrest and rubs it gently.

The chains holding the chair to the frame are slightly rusted but still appear sturdy enough. Its white paint is worn and chipping away but still has an elegance to it. I wonder if any of my siblings have had the opportunity to sit here, but I decide I don't want the answer. I'm just grateful to be here now.

It's big enough for us to sit comfortably, and I turn my attention to May. "It's beautiful," I gush.

There's a small silence before she speaks. "Now, the other night. I don't want to cause you any pain in reliving it, but can you tell me what happened? Your version of what you can remember."

I take in the greenery before me, fields of grassy pastures full of horses, cows, and sheep, and it reminds me that I'm safe, even though something so tragic happened.

Taking a deep breath, I start from the beginning. "I was about to have a bath when the power went out. Then I saw him, and all I remember was that he shot me, and I ran. He also told me that he's working with Hunter's father and that he killed Nash." My words crack as I mention Nash's name, and May simply nods, catching me off-guard. "Did you know?"

Again, she nods. "Yes. I always suspected. Miles was an angry boy because Nash got the attention that he sought."

"Landon killed Miles."

"I know. He's now buried where Nash and your grandfather are. He's family, and I need to have him here even though I know what he's done is unforgivable."

My brows pull down in confusion. I understand her reasoning, though I don't think he deserves special treatment.

"Anyway." She continues, "After Landon dealt with Miles, Hunter ran after you. He'd seen you run into that shrub area over there." She points in the direction I don't even remember heading. "When he found you, you were very weak from loss of blood, and you were covered with it. It was the most horrifying sight I had ever seen. Hunter was frantic. Take a moment to think about him becoming unhinged and double that. He raced you inside and called a doctor he knows. I said you needed to go to the hospital, but he kept saying it was too dangerous."

Fear twists in my stomach. "Obviously, everything was all right since I'm still here." I try to make a joke of it, and May smiles. Though I know both of us are thinking the same thing— I could have died.

"Anyway, the doctor had to keep you knocked out for twenty-four hours so that your body could replenish the blood it lost, and you were hooked up to IVs for that time as well." That I don't remember, and they weren't there when I woke up. "Don't worry, dear. The doctor removed them while you slept. You're a tough girl."

"How was Hunter?"

"Like I said, he was frantic, but when he knew you'd be all right, so was he. He never left your side. He wanted to be there when you woke up. He blames himself for leaving you. I blame myself as well." She hangs her head.

I reach over and take her hand, squeezing it. "Everything is all right. I'm alive, and things are right in the world."

"If it were only that simple. Hunter's father suspects Hunter has betrayed him."

I pull back, my breath ceasing as the worry snakes its way through me. "What do you mean? Is Hunter in danger?"

"Oh no, honey. Hunter can handle himself. Plus, he has Landon. What I mean is that I think his father suspects Hunter is keeping you away from him. Hunter has told him that he's still searching for you."

I swallow the lump that's formed in my throat. "What does Hunter intend to do when his father finds me? Because if Miles found me, it's only a matter of time, right?"

"I'm not sure. But I know he'll do everything in his power to keep you safe."