Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
“I miss him,” I whispered. “I think I hurt him, and I don’t know how to ask him to forgive me.”
She stood and patted my arm. “Our men are very forgiving. If you ask, he will be there for you.” She smiled. “Who do you think had us arrange the room? The meals? Even the flowers that arrived today with no card?”
“I thought that was you and Niall. You brought them in.”
“No, it was Sully. Let your heart guide you, Autumn. It knows what it needs.”
Then she bent and kissed my cheek. “And I like you. It would be fun to be related.” She looked toward Lynn. “I’ll leave you and see you tomorrow. I’m as close as the phone.”
The room was quiet after she left. I picked up my phone, then put it down again, feeling like a coward. It was the middle of the night in Scotland, I reasoned with myself. I didn’t even know if Sully was home yet or still in Dublin. I would call him in the morning.
Darkness descended, and I sat beside the bed, humming and talking nonsense to Lynn. I was so tired. My back ached, my head hurt, and I was chilled.
I pulled the blanket over me, curling into the chair, resting my chin on my hand. I dozed, a dream filtering through my mind. Sully crouched beside me, his long fingers stroking my neck and head. His warm, masculine scent wrapped around me. I felt the heat of his body. He whispered my name, his favorite endearment sounding like music as he asked me to open my eyes. I whimpered his name, my voice trembling.
“I miss you so much, Sully. I need you.”
“I’m here, mo fhiadh beag. Open your eyes, love.”
I startled awake, staring into the deep brown irises of Sully. In seconds, I was wrapped in his arms, weeping into his chest. He held me tightly, letting me cry, running his hand up and down my back.
“I’m sorry,” I sobbed.
“No apologies. I’m here now. I’m not leaving. I am never leaving you.”
I pushed myself farther into his embrace. He sat down, wrapping me even tighter. I gripped him as hard as I could.
He was here.
I wasn’t alone.
And I knew, from now on, I never would be.
SULLY
It felt so right to have her back in my arms again. It seemed like years, not days, since I had held her. I hated how upset she was, but I was thankful I was here. She wept against my chest, her hand gripping my shirt as she cried. I stroked her back, making soft noises in my throat meant to soothe. As the storm passed, she sighed, a long, shuddering breath that conveyed her sadness as much as her tears had. I slipped some tissues into her hand as she sat up, wiping her face and blowing her nose.
Our eyes met in the dim light of the hospital room. In the short time she’d been here, she’d lost weight, her face thinner. Drawn. Exhaustion was etched under her eyes. She was pale and wan. And still the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. I cupped her face, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Mo fhiadh beag.”
“You came.”
“I will always come.”
Her lips trembled again. “I—”
I shook my head, stopping her words. “Not needed, love. You don’t have to explain or apologize. I came because Anna said you needed me.”
“I do.”
“Then that is all that matters. I’m here for whatever you need.”
“I need you for everything,” she whispered. “I love you.”
My heart soared at her words, expanding and settling into a steady rhythm that had been out of step since I’d walked away from her.
“I love you. Tell me what you need.”
Her gaze drifted to Lynn. “I want her to wake up.”
“Don’t give up hope.”
I settled her on my lap and faced us so she could see her aunt. The machines did their job, pumping medicine and oxygen into her system, tracking her vitals.
“She hasn’t opened her eyes in a long time.”
“She’s resting. Gathering her strength.”
“I talk to her a lot. Hum to her. She loves music,” she said, indicating the small machine on the table emitting the soft sounds. “I told Anna, and she brought the radio.”
“Good. I asked them to look after you.”
“They are all so kind.”
“Aye. They are good folk. Finn chartered a plane so I could get here quickly. They made sure I was fed and awake to come to you. Niall found the best doctors. Arranged the room.”
“I can never repay them. Or you.”
I slid my fingers under her chin. “There is no payment due. You’re mine—therefore, it is my responsibility to look after you. And because you’re mine, you’re their family too.”
She sighed and put her head on my shoulder. “Okay,” she agreed quietly.
She took her aunt’s hand. “Lynn, this is Sully. I told you all about him.”