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She glanced at the side table and saw her cup of water. She reached for it and the instant she moved, Heath jerked into an upright position, blinking his eyes rapidly.
“What? Oh, you’re awake. Can I get you something?” he asked.
“Yes, water, please,” she said, sorry she’d woken him. He looked so tired.
She drank her fill and he fussed around her. He called a nurse who came in and checked her over, said she was doing well, asked if she wanted something light to eat. Sylvie ordered some soup, but only after Heath had volunteered to go get her whatever she wanted from wherever she wanted. The hospital soup would be fine, Sylvie assured him.
When they were alone, Sylvie asked how long she’d been asleep. He told her four or five hours was all. She glanced at the window and saw it was dark outside.
“Where are the twins?” she asked.
“They’re still with Meg. And there are plenty of Joneses that keep coming and going, asking about how you are and everything. I’m not sure who all is out in the hall right now. Do you want me to tell them you’re up for a visit?”
She smiled. “It’s really nice of them to come, but I just want to see you right now.”
“Sylvie, that means more to me than you can know.”
“Oh, I pretty well know. I mean, you’re here and that tells me everything. It always should have.”
He swallowed hard. “Do you remember my apology, before you fell asleep?”
She nodded. “Yeah. I don’t know, though, why you thought I was in an accident.”
“That, is quite the story,” he said.
“Good, tell me.”
He did, explaining how in essence, by terrifying him, Aunt Elfleda had made him realize what a stubborn fool he’d been. And because of this, he couldn’t even be angry at the meddling old woman.
“Basically, Aunt Elfleda saved the day,” he said.
“I feel horrible that she did that to you,” Sylvie said. “Telling you I was dying. You must have been so worried.”
“I was. I’ll never forget it. I’m so grateful you’re okay. Now that it’s over, I’m far more upset by the fact that it took an old woman’s scheming to make me realize what I was missing in my life. There is nothing quite like a life or death situation to make a person see the light.”
“Well, Aunt Elfleda does fancy herself quite the matchmaker,” Sylvie said. “She says it’s only because of her that Meg and Leon are still married, though I don’t know the story behind that.”
“I bet it’s a good one,” Heath said.
“She must really like you. She usually only gets involved in this kind of stuff when she thinks somebody is worth her trouble. Her words, not mine.”
“I’m pretty sure everybody was in on this thing, except maybe your mother and stepfather,” Heath said. “No one would answer their phones when I called for updates, and I’m betting that was because Elfleda ordered them not to. You should have seen your brother’s face when I told him to call my assistant and tell her your condition so she could bring in specialists. He was flummoxed.”
Sylvie laughed and then winced. Heath immediately touched her shoulder. “Are you okay?”
Sylvie nodded. “I’ll be good as new in no time.”
“I’ll make sure of it,” he said, putting his arm around her.
Sylvie leaned against his chest. Everything felt right in the world when she was in Heath’s arms.
“I can hear your heart beating.” She pressed her ear against his chest. “It sounds like it’s beating really fast.” She put her hand next to her cheek on his chest and enjoyed feeling his heartbeat under her fingertips.
“I have to say that you missed quite a speech before you came around. I should’ve had someone here recording it. I basically ripped open my soul in front of you.”
“What did you say?” Sylvie asked.
She couldn’t remember hearing actual words, but as she had been regaining consciousness she had understood that Heath was there waiting for her. And then she felt the warmth of his hand around hers. It was exactly the way she wanted to wake up. It was the way she wanted to wake up for the rest of her life.
Heath gently pulled away from her. He moved so that he was looking her in the eyes. He took her hands and softly kissed the tops of each one. Sylvie’s psychic sense kicked into high gear. Whatever Heath said next was going to change her life.
“I’m sorry, baby. I’ll be right back. I have to use the bathroom.” He let go of her hands and went into the small corner room that she assumed was, indeed, the bathroom.
Sylvie sighed. That wasn’t exactly the earth-shattering news she’d been waiting for. And that was why she always claimed to be a little bit psychic, not completely psychic.
When Heath returned, he settled back in beside her bed and took her hands in his again. “You wanted to know what I said to you while you were still sleeping. There’s no way I could repeat it word for word even if I tried. But it went something like this, and now it’s modified, of course, since I know that you’re not dying.”
She smiled and nodded. Only in her family would anyone do something as crazy as Elfleda did.
Heath paused, obviously gathering his thoughts. “I’ll just keep it simple. I love you, Sylvie Jones, and I was a fool for not telling you that before this very moment.”
Sylvie’s soul sang. There it was, the words that would change her life. So her psychic sense was just off by a few minutes, that’s all.
She started to respond, but Heath kissed her softly again. She was starting to get the drift.
“Let me finish,” he mumbled against her lips. “You are the most impatient woman,” he said with loving affection.
“I love you because you are everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman, Sylvie Jones. You are beautiful, smart, and kind. I see how you are with your family and friends, and it reveals your good heart. And you’re a fantastic mother. You’re the kind of mother I wish I’d been lucky enough to have. It humbles me and honors me to know that you are the mother of my children. In fact, I wouldn’t mind having more … children, not mothers.”
Sylvie giggled. She wouldn’t mind having another child with Heath. He raised his eyebrow and she quieted down because there was more.
“All of this is my long-winded, clumsy way of saying that I am not going to let you go, ever. Sylvie, would you do me the honor of marrying me?”
For once in her life, Sylvie Jones was speechless. Heath’s sparkling green eyes were passionate and hopeful all at once. And she realized she should probably say something, and fast.
She put her hand on his cheek again and felt the jump of his jaw muscles beneath her fingertips. “Heath Collins, I love you too. I love, love, love you. And I have for a long time, but I’m an idiot and never told you. I would be honored to be your wife.”
Heath gave an excited whoop and he pulled her into his arms. She couldn’t stop the groan of pain caused by her pulling stitches and he instantly let her go.
“I’m so sorry, baby. I forgot,” he said, looking stricken.
Sylvie shook her head. “It’s okay. Already gone. Happiness is my pain pill right now.”
He kissed her again, gently this time. It was so sweet and tender she had to blink back tears. She’d never felt cherished in her life, but this man cherished her. It was incredible.
She leaned against him and sighed against his lips. That’s when she heard the clearing of a throat from across the room.
Sylvie’s face flushed as she realized her mother was standing in the doorway. Momma had a look on her face that Sylvie couldn’t read. Eli stood behind Sachet, and he had a wide grin on his face. She wondered how long they’d been standing there.
“Can I come in?” Momma’s question wasn’t directed at Sylvie, though. She was asking Heath’s permission, and her tone was uncharacteristically docile.
This was a new development. It seemed Momma was uncertain around Heath. Something in their relationship had shifted.
&nb
sp; “Of course, you can come in,” Heath said. He made no move, though, to slide away from Sylvie.
Momma approached the bed slowly. She lightly touched Sylvie’s shoulder. “I’m so glad you’re okay, sweetie. How do you feel?”
“Like I’m on top of the world,” Sylvie said. She was getting married to the man of her dreams. They were going to become the family she’d always wanted.
“May I have a word with you, Heath?” Momma asked.
“Of course, but there’s nothing that you have to say that you can’t say in front of my soon-to-be-bride.” Heath’s arm snaked around her shoulders. He had a possessive tone in his voice that Sylvie liked.
Momma nodded with a slight grimace. Sylvie couldn’t tell if she was happy about the news or not.
“Heath, I’ll be the first to admit I misjudged you. All I ever wanted was for my daughter to find someone who will take good care of her and the twins. I realize now that you are that person. I’m sorry if I made you feel unwelcome in our family. You are most welcome.”
She offered her hand to Heath. He stared at it as if he didn’t know what to do with it. Sylvie wondered if Momma might have so upset Heath that he was unwilling to forgive her. The tension level went up in the room considerably as they all waited for Heath’s reaction to Momma’s peace offering.
Momma added, “I’m a Jones woman at the end of the day. We’re stubborn and strong-willed. That’s what you’ll get being married to my daughter, too. She’s also the kindest and most forgiving soul. She’d have to be — she forgave me.” She looked at Sylvie, who nodded and smiled gently.
“She helped me recognize that being with a man doesn’t make you weak,” Sachet continued. “At least, not when you’re with the right man.” She cast a glance over at Eli, who watched her with open adoration. “Being with the right man makes you stronger than you can ever be on your own.”
