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“You think any harder in that pretty little head of yours, you’re going to blow a gasket.”
I startle from the sudden sound coming from Travis’ gruff morning voice, and remove my gaze from his hot body to meet his eyes. A light blush rises over my ears; I’m busted again for scoping him out, and bite my thumbnail. “I’m sorry; I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“I’ve been in and out of sleep all night so I could keep an eye on you. I needed to make sure your swelling wasn’t getting any worse, and you were staying comfortable.”
My heart melts from his confession. This man has sacrificed his sleep and a comfortable bed to make sure I’m going to be fine. “Oh, my gosh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to put you out.”
Travis gets up from the chair immediately and saunters across the room toward me. The mattress dips as he slides his large body next to mine on the bed. He pulls me into his body for a brief hug, and his voice is full of sincerity, commanding, “Don’t say things like that. You are never an inconvenience to me, understand?” He leans back as both of his eyes lift to mine, brooking no argument.
I bite my lower lip in nervous response. “Okay. Thank you for watching over me.”
“How are you feeling this morning?”
“I’m a little achy, stiff and sore.”
He nods his head, and then pulls away from me as he reaches for a bottle of water and some pills, which are on the nightstand beside me. I raise my brows in question.
“Dr. Anderson gave me a supply of medicine for you. I want you to take these for pain, and they will also help keep the swelling down.” I nod and take the pills, which Travis has laid in my hand, and swallow them down with the water he provides.
Once I’m done, he takes the water from my hands, and I look around the room and ask, “Where am I?”
“We’re in Hyde County.” I look at him with confusion, and he clarifies, “Sorry, we’re slightly west of the Outer Banks of North Carolina.” I raise both brows; it sounds as if it’s a long jaunt from Charleston.
“How far away from Charleston are we?”
“Close to eight hours. We’re near a wildlife refuge, Lake Mattamuskeet.”
I shake my head. “Never heard of it, but of course, I don’t know what I’m supposed to remember and what I’m not.”
“The majority of North Carolinians never heard of it either; it’s a well-hidden secret,” Travis assures me. “It’s the largest natural lake in the state. I think you’ll like it. We have everything here from ocean water, marshes, forests, and croplands, to enough wildlife to fill a zoo.”
“Wow, I’d love to see the wetlands. Can we do that once I feel up to it?” I ask hopefully.
He nods his head. “I would love nothing more.” He falls silent for a moment, looking down to his hands. When he looks back up at me, he looks as if he has something to say, but he hesitates.
“What’s wrong?” I ask warily.
He shakes his head. “Nothing’s wrong. Everything is right, as long as you’re here with me.” I watch as he leans forward and reaches into his back pocket, retrieving a necklace. He then lifts it up by its chain for me to view it. I tilt my head to the side and study the medallion. Is this supposed to mean something to me?
He then places the necklace in my hand, and softly asks, “Does this spark any memories for you?”
I stay silent as I intensely study the piece while turning it over and over in my hand. I read the inscription a few times on the back as I purse my lips in thought, wracking my brain and trying desperately to remember something, but nothing about the medallion seems to ring a bell. After a few minutes pass by, I shake my head and look to Travis. “No, I don’t recognize it.” His shoulders seem to relax with my confession, and I wonder to myself what that’s all about.
“I found it lying beside you in the alleyway. It’s a necklace you’ve always worn every time we’ve been together. You’ve mentioned several times; it’s some sort of family heirloom.”
I tap my index finger to my lips, restudying it in thought. I shake my head again, coming up empty-handed, with a frown on my face. “No, I don’t remember it.”
Travis takes the medallion from me and sets it on the nightstand. “Well, you told me you never take it off. I’d like to see you wear it full-time, but I think you’d rather take a shower or bath first, wouldn’t you?”
“A warm bath sounds wonderful right now, but I have to ask first: did you find anything else of mine when you found me?”
