Chapter 51

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

Ainsley was still exhausted when she woke up the next morning. Sleep had been elusive, broken constantly by the hum of hospital machinery and the routine checks by the nurses. Every sound, every creak in the hallway, kept her on edge, unable to relax.

The nurses had been vigilant, ensuring there were no symptoms of concussion, but the restless night left her feeling drained.

A soft knock from the doorway drew her attention to the nurse who’d taken over during shift change early this morning. “How are you feeling?” she asked.

“Good so far,” Ainsley replied, her voice raspy with exhaustion. “I was wondering if I could go see Kinley.”

The nurse nodded. “Shouldn’t be a problem. Let’s take a quick look at you, then we can get you over to see your sister.”

After a few moments of checking her blood pressure, pulse, and other vitals, the nurse smiled. “Everything looks good. I’ll take you to Kinley’s room.”

Ainsley followed the nurse down the sterile hallway, her heart pounding as fear and worry mingled in her chest. Peeking her head around the doorway, she saw Kinley lying in the stark white hospital bed, Cam in a chair by her side.

“Take your time,” the nurse whispered, “and let me know if you need anything.”

Ainsley smiled her thanks, then turned to Cam. “Hey,” she said, pitching her voice low so they wouldn’t wake Kinley.

“Hey.” He turned a tired smile her way. “How are you feeling?”

“A little sore, but otherwise I’m fine.”

Climbing to his feet, he pulled her into a hug. “I’m glad to hear that.”

Ainsley studied his face, lined with exhaustion, and shock momentarily rooted her feet to the floor. “Have you been here all night?”

“Yeah.” He offered a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I didn’t want her to be alone when she woke up.”

Ainsley turned worried eyes on her sister. Kinley was asleep in the hospital bed, a bandage covering the stitches on her forehead. “I thought Mom said she was awake last night.”

“Only for a few minutes.” He gestured to the empty chair, and Ainsley dropped into the seat as he continued, “She woke up briefly a few hours ago but crashed right back out.”

She bit her lip and glanced at Kinley before returning her gaze back to him. “What did the doctor say?”

“Her brain scan showed normal activity, so she’s hopeful there won’t be any permanent damage. She’ll be weak for a bit, but she should be out of here in a couple days.”

“Well that’s good news at least.”

Kinley shifted on the bed and her eyes fluttered open. A small smile crossed her face when she saw the two of them at her bedside. “Hey.”

“Hey, yourself.” Ainsley stood and leaned over the bed to pull her into a gentle embrace. “How are you feeling?”

Kinley lifted a hand to her head and laughed low in her throat. “Like I got hit by a train.”

Cam made a face, and Ainsley quickly spoke up. “Do you remember what happened?”

“Bits and pieces.” Kinley’s gaze sharpened by increments as she came awake. “I remember talking with that salesman, but it’s a little fuzzy after that.”

Ainsley grimaced. “That was Joel. He must have been watching the house. I’m so sorry.”

Cam cleared his throat. “I should get going. I’ll let you two catch up.” He squeezed Kinsey’s hand. “Call me if you need anything.”

“I will.” She tossed him a soft smile, and he disappeared a moment later.

“How are you?” Kinley turned back to Ainsley. “I was so worried.”

Ainsley forced a smile. “I’m okay. Just a few bumps and bruises.”

“I was so scared.” Kinley’s eyes glazed with tears. “When I woke up, I asked Mom what happened, but she didn’t tell me much.”

Ainsley took a deep breath and shook her head. “Honestly, I don’t even know where to start.”

Kinley already knew how Joel had sweet-talked his way into the house. Ainsley started from the very beginning, telling her about Joel’s controlling tendencies, how she’d left him after years of abuse. She explained about Tess’s murder and how, after Joel had knocked Kinley unconscious, he’d come after Ainsley.

Kinley’s eyes widened in shock, a mix of relief and horror crossing her face as Ainsley continued, “Do you know Wade Cottrell?”

When Kinley shook her head, Ainsley explained the bad blood between Dare and the youngest Cottrell brother. “Wade broke in and killed Joel. His plan was to kill me to make Dare suffer. I cut him with the knife, but then… then Dare showed up. It all happened so fast.”

Kinley let out a shaky breath, her body relaxing into the bed. “That’s… crazy. Why didn’t you say anything? We would have helped you.”

Ainsley toyed with the sheet covering the bed. “I was ashamed.”

Kinley opened her mouth to speak, then snapped it shut again. She gave a little nod. “I’m sorry about everything you went through.”

“It doesn’t matter now. It’s finally over.” Ainsley forced a smile.

Kinley shook her head. “I still can’t believe he went off the deep end like that. Thank God Cam and Dare showed up.”

Ainsley nodded, her thoughts drifting to Dare as they often did. “I owe him so much.”

“What are you going to do now?”

Emotion clogged Ainsley’s throat. It still didn’t feel real. She swore she could still feel his eyes on her, like if she glanced over her shoulder she would find him there, watching her.

But Joel was gone. She’d watched him die, watched the life drain from his eyes as the blood pooled around him. She’d spent so long fearing him, loathing him, that his death brought an unexpected wave of emotions.

She was free to do anything she wanted. She should feel ecstatic. Instead, a maelstrom of emotion swirled within her. Disbelief. Relief. Guilt.

She felt as if she was standing on the edge of a precipice, completely unsure how to proceed. And Dare—would he still want to be with her?

She blew out a breath. “I’m honestly not sure. I?—”

“There you are.”

Ainsley glanced up to see Dare standing in the doorway, relief flooding his features as he moved toward her. “I was worried when I didn’t find you in your room.”

“I’m sorry. I wanted to see Kinley,” Ainsley replied, standing up to greet him. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”

Dare shook his head and wrapped an arm around her waist. “I’m just glad you’re here.”

He turned toward Kinley. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay, thanks for asking.” She tossed him a small smile. “I’m glad you guys showed up when you did.”

“Me, too.” Dare’s arm tightened around Ainsley’s waist, and she leaned into him.

Familiar voices drifted their direction, and a moment later, Mr. and Mrs. Layne entered the room. They exchanged small talk for a while until Kinley began to tire again.

The nurse came by to check on her once more and smiled when she saw Ainsley. “The doctor should be making her rounds in just a bit. She’d like to take one more look at you, then you should be good to go.”

“Great.” Ainsley smiled, but it quickly fell away, her relief overshadowed by nervousness as Dare guided her out of Kinley’s room and into her own.

Inside, Dare turned her to face him. He studied her for a moment before speaking. “How are you?”

She lifted one shoulder. “I’m okay.”

“The truth.”

He gave her a little squeeze, and she sighed. “It’s just been a long couple of days.”

“I know.” He eased her closer and kissed her temple. “We’ll be home soon enough, then you can take all the time you need.”

That sounded damn good to her.