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“Here.” She takes his hand so it touches a glass. “Have a drink.”
His shaky hand takes it. “Thank you.” The water cools his throat. “Did I wake Rose?”
“No.” She places her hand on his forehead.
“I’m not sick, Eden. I need a moment.” He places the glass on the table and slides down the bed. Eden rests her head on his shoulder and wraps an arm around his body, holding him tight.
“I worry about you.” She kisses his chest.
Weak and vulnerable. It’s not how Samuel wants her to see him. She has enough to worry about, and he doesn’t want to be another thing added to her list.
Running his fingers over her soft hair calms him, lying this close more so. “It can happen when you’ve suffered a shock,” he tells her. “It’s nothing for you to be concerned about.” He kisses the top of her head. “I’ll be fine.”
In the dark, Samuel stares at the ceiling, afraid to close his eyes again. He senses her awake, not moving or making a sound, simply listening while holding him close. Neither of them speaks, yet his mind is far from quiet.
Closing his eyes, he focuses on the steps to calm his mind and eliminate the thoughts that cripple every part of him—thoughts of how his world has stopped making sense.
* * *
A bright light burns Samuel’s eyelids. He remembers watching the sun rise and the gentle warmth shining through the blinds. He intended to get up and attend to Rose. The comfort of daylight must have lulled him into sleep.
A soft melody comes from the other room where Eden is singing. He rolls over to check the time on his cell—half the morning is lost. He leaps out of bed and strides to the kitchen. “I overslept.” He runs his fingers over his head.
She chuckles as her eyes wander to his boxers. “Good morning to you, Mr. McMahon.”
He glances down at what has her amused.
“Dad-da.” Rose holds out her arms for him.
“Give Daddy a moment.” Eden grins at him.
After changing into jeans, he walks back into the kitchen. “Have you both eaten?”
“Almost ready for lunch. I didn’t wake you, not when you looked so peaceful.”
Samuel appreciates the gesture. “I had full intentions of getting up to Rose while you slept.”
“I’m fine, Samuel. Please don’t worry about me.” She wraps her arms around his waist and leans back to look him in the eye. “If you don’t want to work as a doctor, then don’t. We make our own rules, and the last thing I want is for it to exacerbate anxiety.”
“I don’t have anxiety,” he murmurs.
“Samuel.” She lets out a sigh. “Don’t pretend with me. I’m here to help you through it. You have experienced some horrific things and lost someone you loved. Grieve. Don’t hold it in, and stop trying to be so damn brave.”
“Brave is the last thing I feel,” he mutters under his breath.
“And stop googling the shit out of this country.” She rests her cheek on his chest. “You need time to adjust to a new life with me.”
His woman is so wise.
“You’re working in the wrong field.” He kisses the top of her head and tightens his arms around her back.
“And so are you if you settle for anything less than what your heart wants you to do.”
5
EDEN
“You finally made it here, my favorite monkey man.” Amy hugs Samuel. It’s his first time at The Shores cocktail bar. “You had us worried.”
