Caleb nodded. “He’s dead, Rae. The moment he tried to hurt you again, Santana stopped him.”
My breath caught. The room spun for a moment, and I didn’t know whether to feel relief or numbness—or both. Tears spilled down my cheeks, but this time the tears were different—softer, a mix of grief and relief. I was so relieved, but I was sad for the loss of life. It was a very confusing mix of emotions.
He squeezed my hand gently. “You’re safe now. I promise.”
I leaned back, letting the weight of the truth settle. I was safe. For the first time since opening my eyes, I felt something steadier than pain or fear—hope. I squeezed Caleb’s hand and closed my eyes focusing on the weight of his hand on mine, and the feeling of hope I now had.
And for now, that was enough.
Chapter 58
Caleb
Rae had spent a coupleof days in the hospital after being rescued so they could monitor her healing. Her doctor told us she was lucky she had only a minor concussion and that she would need a few days to heal, but that she would be fine soon. When she was released, Rae seemed nervous about going home, so I had offered the idea of staying at her parents’ place until she was ready.
“You doing okay?” I asked after I extended my arm towards her and saw her wince slightly. She pressed her hand gently on her side as she linked her fingers in mine.
Ten days had passed. She’d been cleared by her doctor regarding the concussion she had, and she had started to act like herself again. The only limitations she had were because of the cuts on her side and arm. Nightmares had flooded her dreams during the first few nights after she was released from the hospital, so I never pushed the idea of going home.
Work had been so understanding about me not returning, and Rae not starting, when we thought we would have. Thankfully, I had plenty of vacation time saved up since I rarely took time off.
When Rae had woken up this morning, she told me she was ready to go home, and the smile on her face showed her excitement. We missed Duke, but because she needed time to heal, Santana, Luke, and Jenny took care of him and the farm while Rae recovered.
“I love you, Ranger,” she said to me as she tightened her grip on my hand.
“I love you, too, Sunshine.”
I watched Rae from where I sat in the truck. She was staring out the window, looking at the spring flowers that speckled the sides of the road leading to my house. I rolled her window down for her, and she smiled at me before she closed her eyes and soaked up the sunshine.
I pulled up to the house, close enough that Rae wouldn't have to walk far. Thankfully, Rae was just achy now and no longer dizzy. However, that didn’t stop me from worrying.
I put the truck in park and looked over at my girl. “Stay here,” I requested with a gentle hand on her arm. I sweetly smiled at her, and she answered with a small “okay,” her voice barely above a whisper. I could tell she was nervous to step back inside the house, but she hadn't said as much.
I opened the truck door and was met by a warm breeze.
Maybe Rae would want to sit outside for a bit today since it’s so nice out.
