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It wasn’t the visit he wanted, but he’d take it. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now I better get back and check on her.”
Chase left to get them all coffee right after the doctor stepped out. Shelby and Cyn talked about the bachelorette party with Mrs. Baker, trying to distract her. Mr. Baker showed up half an hour after Chase passed out coffee and Max left his untouched on a small table.
Hunt joined them, assuring them the threat against Kenna was over and so was her protective detail. Cyn passed out with her head on Hunt’s shoulder.
Max couldn’t sit down. He couldn’t be still. He paced and waited and thought of nothing but Kenna, their lives together, what happened between them over the years, what he wanted for their future. Every thought about her.
When he finally walked into her room an hour later and took her hand, he looked into her happy, teary eyes and knew he didn’t want to spend another day without her knowing how much he cared.
“Max.” She said his name with utter relief and a need so desperate he leaned in close to comfort her.
“Yeah, sweetheart.”
“I love you. I’ve always loved you. I’ve only ever loved you.”
He leaned down and pressed his forehead to hers and looked deep into her eyes. “I know, sweetheart. I feel the same way.” He kissed her softly. Reverently. Longingly. Then he gave her the words back. “I love you, too. Forever.”
She held his gaze. “That’s all I want. You and me for the rest of our lives.”
“Done.” He sealed that promise with another of those slow, deep kisses that went on and on, until they were lost in each other and nothing else mattered but them in this moment.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Kenna spent most of yesterday in a fog—lethargic, sore, and heartbroken to hear that her brother died, though she still didn’t know the details. Every time she opened her eyes, there was Max, right beside her, holding her hand, reassuring her everything was going to be all right. She was safe now.
This time when she opened her eyes, she found Max and Chase seated beside her, their heads together as they whisper-argued.
Chase frowned. “The wedding is in two hours. We need to go. You have to be there.”
“I’m not leaving her. Hunt will understand.”
Chase fell back in his seat. “We all need to be there. It’s family. We’re brothers. We all stand up for each other.”
“Sheneeds me here.”
“She can hear you.” Kenna’s groggy voice drew their attention.
Max jumped up and came to her, resting his hip on the bed and taking her hand, careful of the IV line in the back of it. “You’re awake.”
She smiled at him, tears coming to her eyes because he was a sight to behold and she was so grateful he was here and so was she.
His eyes filled with concern. “Are you in pain?”
It hurt to breathe because of her sore ribs, but it didn’t matter. She was alive. “A little, but mostly I’m just happy to see you.”
“You say that every time you wake up.”
“I mean it.”
Max leaned down and kissed her softly. “How are you really feeling?”
“Guilty,” she admitted. “Chase is right. You need to be at your brother’s wedding.”
Chase stood and put his hand on her shoulder. “You look better today. I’ll give you two a little time alone.” He squeezed her shoulder, then patted Max on the back and left.
Max sighed. “Sweetheart, I’m not leaving you here alone.”
