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Heather appeared at the emergency room entrance. Everyone stood and surged toward her. She gave a quick smile around the group, but focused on Esther. “He’s woken up several times.”
“Praise the good Lord,” Esther’s mom said.
“Every time he says, ‘Esther, I love you,’ then he falls back asleep.” Heather’s dark eyes, so similar to her son’s, were sparkling with happiness. She started forward and gathered Esther in a hug. Esther returned the embrace. “The doctor’s worried that it’s a sign of concussion, but I looked into his eyes. They’re clear. He just wants there to be no doubt that he loves you, so he says it every time he wakes up. Do you love him back, sweet girl?”
Esther bit at her lip. She could not say it in front of everybody. She had to tell him first. “Can I go sit with him?”
“Of course.” Heather’s gaze registered disappointment that she wouldn’t claim she loved him, but she tugged her forward.
“We’ll be here waiting,” her dad said to their backs. “No making out like last night.”
There were several chuckles at that. Esther’s neck heated. She turned around and flung at her dad, “You won’t be able to watch this time.”
His eyes widened in surprise, and then her mom and Thor laughed louder than ever.
She strode into the emergency room with Heather, hoping his mom wouldn’t reference her dad’s comment.
“Making out with my boy, eh?” she asked.
They skirted down a side hallway. “He’s a great kisser,” Esther admitted.
They reached an open door with a curtain inside shielding the occupants. “Is that all he is to you? A good kisser?”
Esther met her gaze. “He’s so much more, but I need to tell him everything and it’s very, very complicated.” Strangely enough, it didn’t feel complicated. Not anymore. Though she’d been terrified when Reed was shot, she’d reacted in a calm, decisive manner. She was okay, and Reed was incredible.
Heather’s gaze softened on her. “It always is, love.”
“Esther,” she heard Reed’s deep, wonderful voice call from inside the room. “I love you.”
Heather smiled. “It’s not just the head injury talking.” She pushed her toward the curtain. “Be good to my boy.”
Esther walked around the curtain and saw Reed’s strong form stretched out on a too-small hospital bed. His stepdad smiled up at her, then stood. He squeezed her hand and said, “He’s repeated that over a dozen times.”
“Do you think it’s the head injury?” Esther asked quietly, looking at Reed, but he appeared to be back asleep.
Reed’s stepdad shrugged his shoulders. “The head injury might be why he’s repeating it, but it’s not at the root of why he’s saying it.”
Esther’s heart beat quicker. It was time to tell him everything.
Reed’s mom and stepdad both smiled at her. Heather hugged her again quick and then they both disappeared around the curtain.
Esther rushed to Reed’s side. His color looked good. He somehow looked more handsome than ever. The sheet was only up to his waist, revealing his beautiful chest and a large bandage covering the side of his abdomen. An IV was the only tube attached to his arm. That was good.
She sank into the chair pulled up by his bedside. She put her hand on his cheek and savored the feel of his warm cheek under a day’s growth. “Reed,” she said softly.
He stirred and said without opening his eyes, “Esther?”
“Yes, sweetie, I’m here.” She wrapped her fingers around his. If he was really awake, he’d know what that meant to her.
His hand tightened around hers. “Esther …” His eyes opened and his dark gaze penetrated through her. He was definitely awake. “I love you.” He said the words slowly and deliberately. There was no doubt how sincere he was.
Esther’s heart fluttered. Those words would never get old coming from Reed. “I know,” she said.
He chuckled, then his gaze got far too serious. “I was hoping for … something more.”
She smiled. “There’s so much more I need to tell you, so much I want to share. Are you awake enough or should I wait?”
“I’ve been in and out of it, fighting to wake up. I’ve been waiting and hoping you’d come.” He brushed his thumb along the back of her hand. “Hoping for this. Are you ready to … tell me?”
