Page 78 of Sullivan

“I always listen to my elders,” he replied, lifting her hand and kissing it. “Irish injection administered.” He winked. “A double dose.”

“Oh, keep this one,” she informed me.

“I plan on it.”

Sully sat with her as I spoke to the doctor and the girls. Lynn made him laugh often, and he met my eyes more than once, winking at me as if to say, “I’m in.”

We stayed until Lynn fell asleep. Una encouraged us to leave.

“We know you have things to take care of,” she said with a smile. “We have this. They are managing her pain well, so she’ll sleep most of the day.”

I hesitated, and she squeezed my hand. “Go. Make the arrangements you need to make. She’ll be fine. We’ll make sure of it. We’ll see you tonight.”

It was hard to leave, but I knew she was right.

Georgia showed us a suite in the upgraded, next-level care section of The Haven. It was bigger, equipped with more safety features, including handrails and an intercom, plus the additional hands-on care Lynn would require. But the view wasn’t as nice, and I didn’t like the layout. I wasn’t sure I had much say in it, though. Lynn liked it here—she liked the staff and had many friends. I didn’t want her to have to try to deal with a new place and people, as well as her diminished capabilities.

“When is she returning to us?” Georgia asked, her eyes following Sully with admiration.

I tried to hide my amusement. Georgia was lovely and cordial to deal with, but she never took this much time out of her schedule for me. But a personal tour and endless time for any questions was fine for Sully. She was at least twenty years older than him and married, but I couldn’t blame her. He looked especially sexy today in jeans and a cable-knit Irish sweater in a green that set off his dark coloring. His overcoat was a deep black, completing his compelling look. His accent seemed thicker, richer today, making him totally irresistible. And not only just to me.

I opened my mouth to speak, but Sully beat me to it.

“She is being transferred to Garrison Physio first for three weeks once she’s discharged,” he stated. “Then she’ll come here, and I’ve arranged private physio daily.”

“Ah, Garrison has a great reputation. We have worked with them before.”

Sully nodded, then crossed his arms, pursing his lips. “This room will not do.”

“Oh?”

“No. Have you anything else?”

She looked between Sully and me. I was staring at him, unsure what he was doing. I knew nothing of Garrison. I couldn’t afford private care. The cost of this room was going to eat into the budget as it was. I planned to supplement Lynn’s bank account to be able to afford it. She deserved that, but I only had so much. And with not knowing the future, I didn’t want to overextend.

“I have one other, but the price⁠—”

Sully waved her off. “Is of no consequence. My fiancée and I would like to see it. If it is not satisfactory, we have an appointment at Westside later.”

We did?

Georgia looked displeased. “I’m sure that won’t be necessary. Let me get the keys.”

“What are you doing?” I hissed when she left. “Garrison? Private physio? A bigger suite? I can’t afford those!” Then I threw up my arms. “Fiancée?”

He chuckled, pulling me close. He kissed the end of my nose. “I love seeing you all pissed at me. You’re dead sexy all riled up.”

“Seriously, Sully⁠—”

He cut me off with a kiss. “You are marrying me, so therefore, you are my fiancée. I need to solve the ring thing, though, so you don’t forget that. Or the fact that the rest is because I love you and Lynn is now part of my family. And I protect and care for what is mine. End of story.”

“Sully,” I began, but he shook his head.

“End of story.”

“You are the most infuriating man I know.”

“Good. It’ll keep you on your toes for the next forty years.”