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"Which means no work."
"Which means no work," Grady reiterated. "I've already made some calls to hire out some of the work. We'll be fine."
Cinnamon stirred next to him. She lifted her head, blinking her blue eyes in his direction. "You're awake." Tears pooled in the corners of her eyes. "We've been praying for you." Her smooth hand ran over his arm.
"From what Grady said, I needed it." Kaleb relished the feel of her hand on his skin. Comforting and soft, removing the stress of the incident. "What happened after I got shot?"
"Mayson tackled the man and his partner gave up once he saw that happen," Grady answered.
"You weren't hurt, were you?" Kaleb's eyes traced Cinnamon's face, searching for any signs of discomfort. He raised his hand and brushed away her tears as she shook her head. "Good. I let you go once. I’m not going to lose you again."
"Not gonna happen." Cinnamon jutted her chin. "You're stuck with me now, Kaleb Linden, whether you like it or not."
"I like it very much."
Cinnamon kissed the back of his hand. "You concentrate on getting better."
"When can I leave?" Kaleb flexed the hand on his other arm. "I'd like to be able to sleep on my own property."
"The doctor said since your tests came back normal, you can leave as soon as you're able." Grady stood and pressed the nurse's button. "I was told to let them know when you wake up."
"Thanks." Kaleb blinked his eyes, his gaze blurry. "I'm getting tired, though."
"Rest. They'll check your vitals, and I'll be here the entire time." Cinnamon covered him with the blanket and dropped a kiss on his forehead. "I love you."
Kaleb's eyes drooped. "I love you, too." Sleep overtook him before the nurse even entered the room.
Kaleb grunted as he made his way, albeit slower than he wanted, up the steps that led into the house. The rays of sun beat down on the back of his neck. The warmth traveled all the way through him. Being outside revived him, if only for the few minutes it took to climb the steps.
The doctor delayed his release. He soon tired of the hospital walls. They kept him in for two extra days, insisting on running several more tests, just to be safe. It took all of Kaleb's willpower not to snap at every person who entered his room. Finally, he was allowed to leave. If he could, he'd dance a jig just to show his joy.
Kaleb eased onto his recliner. Cinnamon bustled around him, putting a pillow behind his head, a blanket across his lap. "Sweetheart, I'm fine. I don't need these things."
"I just want you to be comfortable." She took the unoccupied recliner Grady normally claimed as his. "I've already made dinner for the guests, and lunch was easy to put together. Grady and Scarlet have them busy hiking and going to the lake."
"That's good. When they get back, I want to discuss business."
Cinnamon pulled her lower lip between her teeth. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"I need a distraction. I can't muck stalls, chop wood, or do any of the normal activities I do on a daily basis." Kaleb pulled the lever, allowing the bottom of his chair to extend. The jolt shot pain through his shoulder. "I should've expected that since every pothole we hit made me want to scream."
"I'm sorry." Worry lines etched across Cinnamon's forehead. "I tried to be careful."
"You were." He held out his good hand. "Stop apologizing for everything. The doctor said recovery won't take as long since the bullet passed clean through."
"It's your heart he's worried about."
Kaleb scowled. "Unfortunately, yes. Even with the tests coming back fine, he doesn't know why my heart stopped."
"Maybe it's God's way of saying He wants you to slow down a bit." Cinnamon offered him a smile. "You work all the time. It's good to have a day or two off a week."
"I need to keep this place running." Kaleb ran a hand through his hair, exasperated. He had this same discussion with Grady and Scarlet when they came to visit earlier in the day. "If I don't, who will?"
"You do realize that your brother and sister each have two days off a week, right?" Cinnamon arched a brow, her firm expression more adorable than anything he'd ever seen. "Why don't you three coordinate each of your days off?"
Kaleb rubbed his hand over the stubble on his jaw. "That might work. Why hadn't we ever thought of that before?"
"We did," Scarlet interrupted, sauntering into the living room, Grady on her heels. "You've always told us no."
