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“Wyatt,” Charlie growls.
I place a palm on his ridged chest. “You’re yelling.”
Charlie blows out a frustrated breath and scowls. “I said no parties.”
“It’s not a party. It’s a homecoming,” Ford rebuts, giving me a wink. “You’re back, aren’t you? To stay.”
My lips rise into a smile. “I am.” I glance at my father. “Sorry, Daddy.”
The pride in his eyes fills my soul. “Don’t be.” He claps Charlie on the back. “I’d tell you to take care of her, but you already did.”
Hard emotion crosses Charlie’s face, but he says nothing, just clears his throat and shakes my father’s hand. The sight has my heart close to exploding. After I woke up, I was in the hospital for a week of midnights and mornings. My father and Charlie spent some time together. Dad saw how much Charlie loves me and protects me, so it’s easier for him to let me go.
My father turns to me. “Looks like you got a real wild life here, Ruby Jane.”
I beam. “I do, Daddy.”
From the kitchen island, Stede’s voice cracks. “Get Charlie a whiskey. Boy could use a drink.”
I glance at my cowboy. Face pained, shoulders slumped, Charlie looks like having everyone in his house is wreaking havoc on his patience.
Palming the small of my back, Charlie guides me to an island stool. “You should sit down.”
“I’m okay,” I tell him. “I sat enough in the hospital.”
He doesn’t press, but he grunts unhappily, and hangs back near my side, arms crossed, brow furrowed.
He’s angry.He’snot okay.
I’m worried about him.
Shifting his weight, he tears a hand through his hair. “I’ll get your bags.” He kisses my temple, then turns on his boot and strides out of the kitchen, slamming the screen door with an iron grip.
Wyatt shoots a worried glance at Davis and follows.
I chew my lip. The hospital was always chaotic, so we never had time to talk about what’s happened. And Charlie needs to talk. I can see the rage eating him up, the pain on his face when he looks at me. I don’t want pain for him. I want his grumpy smile. I miss him.
My brother hands me a bottle of water. “How are you feeling?” he asks.
“I feel good.”
I’ve been ordered to take it easy for the next three weeks. No stress. No exercise. But each day, I get stronger. I have better medications. Machines to monitor my heart. All the doctors concluded they’ve seen nothing like it.
Like me.
I’m miraculous.
I run my gaze over the cabin, my friends and family, and smile at my brother. “I lived, Max.”
Unshed tears line his eyes. “I know you did.” He shoves a lock of hair out of his face and takes my hand. “I’m sorry for what I said to you that day on the phone, Rubes. I tried too hard to protect you.”
“You just love me,” I say with a big smile.
“I do. And he does too.”
I follow Max’s nod, my eyes landing on Charlie’s massive figure in the doorway, talking to Stede.
Max chuckles. “I still don’t think life is a fairy tale, but you sure are a goddamn miracle.”
