Page 146 of Thaw My Heart

Cole’s presence catches me by surprise. “He’s awake,” relief floods through his voice.

Annie is there the next second, clutching my hand in hers. Her flowery smell wafts in my face. “Oh, thank God,” she cries.

“I’m okay,” I reassure her. Annie squeezes my hand, wiping tears from her face. “Is Sadie—” my throat feels raw. “Is she alright?”

Cole glances at Sadie, still fast asleep. “She’s fine. They wanted her to remain in her own bed, but she refused to be anywhere else.” My stubborn girl. “She woke up pretty much after you passed out.”

“She swallowed a lot of smoke,” Annie chimes in. “But the doctor says she’ll make a full recovery,” she smiles.

“And—and Blake?” I’m almost too afraid to ask.

“He’s fine, too,” Cole smiles. “A few cuts and scrapes, but he’ll be just fine. As is everyone else. We’re really lucky that no one was seriously injured.”

“Good.” I blow out an exhale, relaxing at his words. “And what about Cash?” I grit my teeth, remembering his grim declaration before I ran into the barn. If he’s still alive, I’m going to fucking murder him.

Cole’s eyes drop to the floor. He scrapes a hand over his scruffy face. Annie crosses her arms tightly around her small frame, biting her lip as a quietness fills the room. My mouth opens to ask again, but Annie’s fake cheerful voice cuts me off. “I’m going to get some tea. Would you like some tea?”

“No, thanks, Annie,” I offer her a smile.

She squeezes my hand once more and briskly leaves the room. Cole sits in a chair near the bed, removing his cowboy hat as he stares at his weathered hands, finding the words. “He wanted to hurt me. He mentioned that he ran into you at The Hollow Hearth, and well… he lost it. He was hurt, and mad at me, and he didn’t mean for it to go so far⁠—”

“He almost killed people,” I seethe. And there’s no excuse for that. Not this time.

“I know, and he’ll pay for it.” He meets my eyes. “I’m not going to let him get away with this one. As much as it pains me,” he twists his gold wedding ring around his finger, clenching his jaw. “He’s been arrested, and he’ll be transported to a place to receive the help that he needs.”

I’m relieved to know something is finally being done about him, but none of this could be easy for them.

“He’s also the one who arranged for the cattle theft,” Cole continues. “He came clean before they took him. Though that matter has already been… resolved. That’s the only thing he’s not being charged for.”

A decision to protect Sadie. “How’s Annie taking it?”

“She’s heartbroken. There’s a part of her that feels like it’s her fault.”

“It’s not her fault.”

Cole nods. “I know, but you know, Annie. She just needs time to accept things.” He places his hat back on his head and stands, pointing to my right arm, covered in bandages. “The doctors said there’s no permanent nerve damage, but you’ll walk away with some nasty scars.” He glances at Sadie with a soft smile. “She’s the only one who knew that Blake was still in the barn. If she hadn’t—” he sucks in a breath. “Well, I’m really glad that everyone’s okay.”

My thumb grazes across the top of her hand.

“I’ll let you get some rest.” He heads for the door, boots clicking on the linoleum. “Ryker will pick you both up in the morning.” With that, he leaves, closing the door.

My heavy eyes close, feeling the tiredness kicking in and the stress from the day pulling me under. But I don’t want Sadie sleeping on the side of the bed.

There’s enough room for two.

I try to wake her slowly, but she jolts anyway with panic in her eyes. “It’s okay.” I squeeze her hand.

“Kit,” she brightly smiles with glassy eyes.

“Come up here.” I pull the blankets back, gesturing for her to lie next to me.

She moves in beside me, resting her head on my chest as I wrap my arm around her. “I’m so sorry,” she murmurs, heartbreak lingers in her voice.

“Shh,” I run my hand through her hair, pushing it away from her face. “Rest, it’s alright.”

She lets out an uneasy breath, pulling me closer with shaky hands. “I was so afraid.” Wetness from her tears soaks through my hospital gown. My fingers draw circles on her lower back, settling her until her breathing returns to normal. “I was so afraid I wouldn’t get to tell you.”

“Tell me what?”