Scarlett’s eyes widened and a smile that completely melted my heart appeared on her beautiful face. I couldn’t resist pressing my lips to that smile. I knew things were still not right on the estate, and Scarlett and I had a long way to go before we could get back to the place we were. So yeah, there were plenty of problems yet to be solved, but it all seemed doable at that moment. Sitting with Scarlett, my hands touching her face, my lips caressing hers, all felt right in my world again.
I reluctantly pulled back when I heard footsteps stop in front of Scarlett’s door. “Come on in,” I said.
Cade and Dr. Walters walked into the room. I probably should have moved out of the way so the doc could check on Scarlett without having to work around me, but I couldn’t. She was mine, and even though I knew the doc had to touch her, I didn’t like it. The doc unwrapped Scarlett’s bandages and she winced. A growl escaped my body before I could stop it. Scarlett reached for me and pulled me against her whispering, “Don’t worry…I’m okay.”
The doctor apologized and rewrapped her leg. He explained that it was healing nicely and that if I wanted to take Scarlett home, she should be fine. Scarlett nodded, and I told him that I would take her to my place. I also asked him to stop by my house and check on my dad. Cade pulled the doctor aside and told him that he had to keep Phillip’s return a secret for now. The doctor agreed and went to get his things.
“Aiden and Gage are over at the lodge guarding Drew. He’s healing pretty fast and should be much better by tomorrow,” Cade said after the doctor left the room.
Another one of those unexpected growls rose out of my chest. I didn’t give a shit about Drew’s condition. “Two more minutes alone with him and he could be out of the picture for good.” Scarlett gave me an apprehensive look, and I shrugged. It was just a matter of time anyway. I would get my hands on him again.
Cade placed his hand on my shoulder. “I understand, Luke, but we still might need him. I’m calling a pack meeting. My house. First light. I want my dad there, and he can’t be moved. I stopped by the house, but it was quiet. Dad was sleeping in his room and Mom was asleep in the guest room upstairs. There’s been no sign of Brian, so we can’t afford to wait any longer.”
“I’ll be there. Are you going back to your house?” I asked.
“No, I’m going to check on Aiden and Gage, and then I’m going to try to catch a few hours of sleep at Alli’s,” Cade said. He started to leave, but stopped in the doorway and turned around to say, “I’m glad you’re better, Scarlett. We were all worried about you.”
*****
As soon as I carried Scarlett into my house Gavin came rushing over. Ever since I’d found her in the woods, my protective instincts were in overdrive, so as her brother approached, it took a great deal of self-control not fling him out of the way. Somehow Scarlett must have recognized my possessive reaction to his nearness, so she assured Gavin that she was all right and asked him to give her a minute to get settled. Fortunately he stepped back and waited until I carried her upstairs and put her in my bed before he came up to see her.
While I didn’t want to leave her side, I decided it would be best to give them some privacy for a moment, and I really needed to check on my father. After kissing Scarlett on the forehead, I walked over to the door. “I’m going to see how my dad’s doing. Can I get you something from the kitchen, baby?” I asked before I left.
She smiled brightly and nodded her head. “That would be great. I’m starving.” I returned her smile before heading downstairs.
When I stepped into my dad’s room, the doctor was just finishing his exam. “Your dad’s going to be just fine when the drugs wear off. Unfortunately, he was given a pretty heavy dose, so he’s been in and out of consciousness and will be extremely groggy when he wakes. It might take some time for him to get back to normal, but don’t worry. He’ll be back to his old self soon.”
“Is there anything I can do for him?” I asked.
“You’re already doing it. He’s comfortable. He’s resting. That’s it. I started an IV just to keep him hydrated. When he comes around, don’t let him yank it out.”
As soon as the doc left, I sat down next to my father and grabbed his hand. Before I realized what I was doing, I was spilling my guts, telling him everything that had happened since he disappeared. I knew that he probably couldn’t hear me, but I didn’t care. I told him about the fight between Cade and Aiden, about seeing Michelle at the grocery store, and about Scarlett. For the first time in my life, I told him how much I loved him and how thankful I was to have him in my life, how I couldn’t imagine a world without him and how much it hurt to think for one second that I’d never see him again. I told him things I knew I would never say if he were awake, but it felt good to say it all out loud. Before I left, I squeezed his hand and promised we’d make the bastards who’d hurt him pay. Then I stood up, made sure he was comfortable, and left.
I was warming up some soup in the kitchen when Gavin came in. “Thanks for letting me talk to Scar alone,” he said.
“Thank you for bringing my dad home,” I replied as I prepared a tray of food for Scarlett. “I’m sorry about roughing you up back there.”
Gavin just shrugged it off as if it was no big deal.
“Can we start over?” I asked, holding my hand out to him.
Gavin smiled and shook my hand. “I would like that.”
“Listen, make yourself at home. Eat whatever, drink whatever; our house is your house. The guest bedroom is upstairs across from mine.”
“Thanks, Luke,” he said. I nodded and carried the tray upstairs.
I made a big fuss about feeding Scarlett. She kept insisting that she was more than capable of feeding herself, but I wanted to do it. Finally I set the spoon down and looked into her eyes. “I almost lost you. Let me take care of you tonight. Tomorrow you can do it all by yourself, but not tonight. I need to do this. Please?” She understood and indulged my need to be her caretaker.
It was getting late and I needed to be up with the sun, but I didn’t want to fall asleep. I wanted to lay awake all night and watch her. When she yawned and tried to wiggle herself under the covers, I stood and lifted her up. I pulled the covers back and helped her change from the infirmary gown to one of my T-shirts.
“You coming to bed?” she asked when I just stood there watching her. “Yeah,” I said. I slipped my jeans off and pulled my shirt over my head. She smiled up at me. “Don’t get any ideas, girl. You almost died tonight,” I told her as I climbed into the bed and wrapped my arms around her.
She sighed and then buried her face in my chest. “I love you, Scarlett,” I whispered into her hair. She lifted her eyes to mine and said, “I love you too, Luke.”