Ryan told me about the miraculous rescue by Shepherd Security.
But that didn’t make any sense. John and his sons named their business Sheppard & Sons Investigations.
“Did they change their name?”
Ryan chuckled. “No, we had a little outside help.”
A million more questions filtered through my mind, but I asked the only one that mattered now that I knew Austin was alive.
“My grandmother?”
“She’s fine and having a grand time with Kroupa, Havoc, and Madi.”
Austin was alive. My grandmother was safe.
“Can she go home?”
“She’s there now. We didn’t have time to move her before shit went down.”
It all happened so fast.
“I’ll adjust your bed so you can sit up comfortably.” After I was sitting at a forty-five-ish degree angle, Ryan held a cup near my face and positioned the straw near my lips. “Here, drink.”
The water felt good sliding down my raw throat.
The beeping of the machine slowed to a more normal pace now that my panic had subsided.
“Better?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
I thought for sure we’d all die, and I’d never get to tell Austin that I loved him.
I love him.
As ridiculous and unlikely as it seemed, I’d fallen in love with Austin.
“When can I see Austin?”
“I’m not sure. John is with Austin’s family, but he’ll be in to visit in a minute. Maybe he can tell you more.”
“Austin’s family?” Of course. He was probably married with kids.Lots of married men don’t wear wedding rings.
I’d assumed, because he never mentioned a family, that he didn’t have one.
“Yeah, four of his five younger siblings.”
“Siblings.”
Ryan laughed. “Did you think he was married?”
“I, uh, no,” I lied.
“You’re a horrible liar, Nina,” he chuckled. “But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”
When a soft knock sounded at the door, Ryan looked at me for permission.
“It’s okay.”
