Page 105 of Rescuing Mary

The second Mary walked into his apartment, she gasped.

She vaguely heard him close the door, but she didn’t wait for him. With her mouth open in shock, she walked into his living area.

“How…when?” she stammered.

Truck pulled her back against his chest and rested his chin on top of her head. “When you were showering at the hospital, I talked to Ghost. He said the girls got your stuff packed up and helped you move out of my place after I lost my memory, so I told him he could move you back in, thank you very much. The guys did all the laboring, and the girls put everything away.”

Mary’s eyes filled with tears as she looked around. All of her things were back. The picture of her and Rayne was on the bookshelf. Her favorite blanket was on the back of the couch. Her knickknacks were everywhere, and she even saw that her coffeepot was on the counter in the kitchen.

“Truck—”

“You’re my wife,” Truck interrupted. “You belong here with me. The second I walked in here after losing my memory, I knew something was wrong. It felt all wrong. It was too empty, too…something. You were missing, Mare. You and all your things. You’ve made this place a home for me. They might have removed your things, but your presence could never be removed from my life. That first night, when I lay in my bed alone, I felt off, but I couldn’t figure out why.”

Mary took a deep breath then turned in Truck’s arms and looked up at him. “Are you sure?”

Instead of answering her, Truck said, “I found your journal.”

“What?”

“I was really frustrated when you left that last time, and I kinda went a little crazy. I kicked things and knocked them over like a little kid. I flipped my mattress, and it dislodged your journal that was hidden under it.”

“Oh, shit,” Mary whispered, and lowered her eyes to the buttons on his shirt.

Truck wouldn’t let her hide. He put a finger under her chin and forced her gaze back up to his. “I said it back in the vault and I’ll say it again. I asked you to marry me because I love you, Mary. Yes, I wanted you to be able to use my insurance, but that was just an excuse. I would’ve said anything to make you mine for real.”

When she didn’t respond, he smirked. “No comment?”

Mary shook her head.

He got serious again. “I love you, Mary. I love your snark. I love the way you stand up to people. I love that you have Rayne in your life. I’m sorry that you doubted my love for one second. Do not be embarrassed about puking in front of me, or anything else about your cancer. I love you exactly how you are. Boobs, no boobs, hair, no hair. It doesn’t matter to me.”

“I…you’re important to me too, Truck. But…the words. They’re really hard for me.”

“I know,” Truck said.

Mary shook her head and gripped his shirt tighter. “I want to say them, but I can’t. They freak me out.”

“You said them in the bank,” Truck reminded her.

Mary grimaced. “I thought we were about to die,” she said. “That it might be my only chance to tell you.”

“Mare, you tell me every day that you love me,” he said. “Your actions speak loud and clear. I don’t need the words.”

“But it’s not fair,” Mary protested.

“Do you love me?” Truck asked. “All you have to do is nod or shake your head.”

Mary pressed her lips together and nodded.

“That’s all I need,” Truck reassured her. “Come on,” he said, turning her and taking her hand in his. He led them to the bedroom and went inside. Then he turned and looked at the wall.

Mary stared up at their wedding certificate.

“I knew something was missing from there,” Truck said quietly. “I’d lay in bed at night and stare at that spot and try to force my brain to give it up. The happiest day of my fucking life was the day you said I do, Mare. I’d face a hundred gangbangers and blow up a thousand more banks for the right to have you by my side. I’ll never cheat on you. I’ll never decide I don’t want you anymore. I’ll fight tooth and nail to keep you safe and happy. If that means I have to go toe-to-toe with fucking cancer again, so be it.”

Mary lifted a hand and placed it on his cheek. “I believe you.”

“Good.”