She rushed to Tanner’s bed. “I’m here,” she whispered.
She wrapped her fingers in his, and he immediately fell back into a more restful state.
He was in and out for two days after that. It was so obvious that he did better when Bree was around him—slept more deeply, had a more even heart rate and blood pressure—that the doctors didn’t try to insist she not stay.
Every medical professional who had come in contact with him, from the paramedics to the surgeons, had stated that it was a miracle Tanner was even alive anyway. So the fact that his unconscious mind could seem to sense her presence, and his body rest and heal itself better with her near, seemed much less impressive, all things considered.
Bree was officially released from the hospital after two days. She’d stayed by Tanner’s side the entire time except for when Cassandra, with the muscle of Noah, had forced Bree to go home to her apartment, take a shower and grab some clothes.
Bree and Cassandra had had plenty of hours to talk—well, mostly Cassandra talked and Bree listened since she couldn’t say more than a few sentences at a time—about plans for the shelter and the computer classes Bree could offer.
Cassandra wanted to start the classes as soon as possible. Bree, not even counting her voice, wasn’t quite so gung ho. But like Cassandra said, the skills and hope they were providing these women couldn’t wait. Bree’s discomfort wasn’t what was important.
“Of course, we’ll wait until you can speak louder than a whisper,” Cassandra said with a smile from across Tanner’s hospital room. “You’re probably a more effective instructor if people can actually hear you.”
“Don’t rush her,” Mrs. Dempsey said. She’d been a constant in Tanner’s room every day. “Your brother is going to need someone to take care of him for a while. Let them get themselves situated and then you can drag her into all your grand schemes.”
“I know, Mom, and I don’t expect her to do it until she’s ready and healed.” Cassandra winked at her. “So what is that, like two or three days?”
Bree just smiled.
“Bree, speaking of Tanner getting out of here... I don’t want you to feel like you have to take him on all by yourself if you don’t want to. I can assure you that my son is not a good patient. He doesn’t like to stay in bed.”
“I’ll bet Bree will be a little better at keeping him in bed,” Cassandra muttered under her breath with a grin.
Bree could feel heat rising through her whole face.
Mrs. Dempsey didn’t look offended, thank goodness. “My obnoxious daughter may be right, but I still don’t want you to feel like you have to be responsible for him. We can certainly all take turns.”
Bree stared at Mrs. Dempsey, her heart feeling a little too big for her chest. Had she just been given first dibs on Tanner’s care by his mother?
“I want to do it,” she croaked out.
“Thank God,” Cassandra muttered again. “He would’ve thrown a fit.”
Bree wasn’t exactly sure that was the truth. “Let Tanner decide,” she whispered.
Mrs. Dempsey and Cassandra looked at each other before looking back at Bree. “Believe me, if it was up to my son, he would’ve moved you in to the ranch the day he returned to Risk Peak. He wants you there. He wanted you there back when he thought you might be a package deal with two sweet babies.”
“Oh.” Bree’s lips formed the word, but no sound came out.
“So before you say yes, that you’ll move in and take care of him, I want to make sure you understand exactly what you’re getting yourself into. Once you move your stuff and yourself onto that ranch, it will be for good. Tanner’s never going to let you go.”
“Oh.” Again, no sound. Bree wanted to believe Mrs. Dempsey’s words more than anything she’d ever known.
Mrs. Dempsey got up from her chair near the window and came to stand next to Bree, who was sitting near the sleeping Tanner, holding his hand. “You have some doubts left about how he feels, and that’s okay. He’ll clear them up for you.”
“I just want to make sure it’s what he really wants. I don’t want him to feel pressured into anything.”
She squeezed Bree’s shoulder. “Is it whatyouwant?”
Hiding her feelings wasn’t even an option. She wasn’t sure if sharing them with Tanner’s mother was appropriate or not, but she couldn’t hold back the words. “Yes. It’s what I want.Heis what I want. In every possible way.”
Her words didn’t need to be loud to be forceful.
Cassandra’s low whistle and muttered “damn” had Bree assuming her comment had been too much.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. Her voice would’ve been a whisper even if her throat was at full strength. “That wasn’t appropriate.”
