I still can’t believe she managed to drag me at least fifty metres away from the fire. She must weigh 45 kilograms soaking wet. Last time I weighed myself I was 110. There’s no way she should have been able to do that...especially with her broken ankle. That had to be a hindrance.

The cop finally leaves and I pull Haven closer. “I don’t know how you did it baby, but thanks. You saved my life.”

She looks down and I can see she’s blushing. How adorable is that? “I didn’t have time to think Dalton. I wasn’t trying to be a hero...I just needed you safe. I did what I had to do so you were.”

I look over to her, trying to move my head to see her better but I can’t without pain from my wound. “C’mere and kiss me. I need to feel you.” I tell her softly as she smiles shyly.

Doing as she’s told for once, she stands and bends forward and I slide my arm around her neck, pulling her closer, smashing my lips to hers. This kiss is more than just a kiss, a thank you to her...it’s a celebration. I’m alive thanks to her. I can’t imagine not being here to do this to her for the rest of our lives. If she hadn’t been there that’s what would have happened. I would have died in that fire. I need to find the bastard who did this and make sure he can’t do it again. I vow to myself to keep her safe as I swipe my lips over hers roughly, forgetting about the throbbing wound. I deepen the kiss as I hear a soft moan in her throat...or is that mine? I’d removed the oxygen mask when the cop came in and I know I need to replace it soon, but right now I need her more.

The doctor clears her throat as she enters the room and I slowly let go of Haven so she can stand up.

“Mr. Sullivan, I’d like to keep you here overnight for observation, but Haven, you’re free to go. I just need you to go to your own GP in a week or so for a follow-up, but other than that you’re fine. I need you to stay because of the head injury. Unfortunately, whoever did it, did a good job and you have a small fracture under the wound. Protocol says you stay 24 hours then we can reassess and maybe let you out if you promise to be—“

“NO!” I say loudly, attempting to sit up without the world spinning. I see the shocked eyes of the Doc and Haven, but before they can say anything I say firmly, “No way is Haven leaving here without me. If she goes, so do I. That’s non-negotiable.”

“Haven, do you know what’s going on? Is this normal behaviour or should I be organising a CT Scan right now?” The doctor says, though her eyes never leave mine.

“Don’t mind him. He can be bossy sometimes.”

“Haven....” I threaten, making her smile.

She explains the incidents to the Doc, starting with Ryan’s brother. When she’s finished I can see that she understands my concern.

“No way am I leaving her unprotected Doc.” I say, sitting all the way up. I have to close my eyes for a minute to stop the world spinning, but when I open them again it seems to have righted itself.

“Dalton, you’re in no state to leave. Look at you. You’ve gone green just by sitting up. You need to stay.” Haven says gently, pushing me back down on the bed.

“Ok, I can see what we need to do.” The doc says, leaving the room briefly before returning. “Right. That’s done. You’re getting admitted,” She says, nodding to me, “And you have a fold out bed in his room for the night. We all good with that?” she asks, daring me to disobey. Shit, this woman must know my mother. She’s as scary as her.

I nod my assent and look to Haven with a smile. “Think we can sneak you into my bed after lights out tonight?” I ask with a laugh as the Doc turns in the doorway, throwing over her shoulder, “I heard that!” before leaving.

After Mum and Dad bring Milly up to check on me, they assure me that she can stay as long as we need until whoever did this is caught. I don’t want Milly at the farm right now, though I miss her like crazy already. She needs to be safe. Hell, I thought we were all safe out there, but apparently not. Maybe we should move into Haven’s new house with her new security system. There’s no way anyone’s getting in there unannounced. Maybe I should just stay out the farm alone, and hope they come back to give me a shot at revenge? Maybe I need to stop thinking about this right now because I have the headache from hell, despite the painkillers.

It doesn’t take much for me to convince Haven to lay beside me on my hospital bed, and that’s where they find us in the morning.

“Well, you two comfy?” I hear as the door’s pushed open by a nurse carrying a breakfast tray. I look at Haven and notice she’s still sleeping so I slowly unwrap my arm from around her and sit up. The world isn’t spinning so far so that’s a good thing. Hopefully this means we can get out of here today.

When we’re allowed to leave I ring Micah to come get us as I’m not allowed to drive, Haven can’t with her ankle, and we have no car anyway, because it’s out at the farm.

Laying my head back on the large comfortable sofa in Haven’s house, I take in a deep breath and slowly let it out, allowing myself to relax for the first time since yesterday.

I set the security alarm as soon as we walked in, but I don’t expect any problems here. Micah’s been here with Sarah for months while Haven was in Perth, and they’ve had no trouble.

I wrack my brain trying to remember anything about whoever attacked me but it’s lost. It’s like its right there, but just out of reach on the edge of my memory. Very annoying.

We easily slip into a routine with Sarah and Micah. The more I’m getting to know him, the better we’re getting along. I’m happy he found Sarah. I was worried he was set on Haven, and there was no way that was happening.

She’s mine.

She’s always been mine.

She may have been the world’s for a while, and I may have been Kelsey’s, but Haven has always been mine. There’s a bond we have that nobody can break. Time and distance kept us apart, but now I have her back; she’s staying right here by my side. Together we can face anything – apart we’re a mess. We realize it now...or at least I do. I’m pretty sure she’s on the same page also. I hope so. I never thought I’d have her, or these feelings again. I was content to be the best dad I could be to Milly, and forget about romance. One look at Haven changed that. Now my mind is constantly filled with thoughts of her – a future with her – a life with her. Growing old with her. Having babies with her - a brother or sister for Amelia, maybe both.

The emotions that I used to feel for her, the same ones I tucked away a long time ago, have come to the forefront and there’s no pushing them back down again. She’s it for me.

I’m sure Kelsey would understand also. She wanted me to be happy. We had that heartbreaking conversation not long before she died. She told me to find someone else to love me like she did. I didn’t think it was possible.

Now I’m changing my mind.