AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Drew guided her over to a set of chairs in the corner. The other firefighters left them alone, but she knew they were paying attention. She took hold of both his hands and gathered them into her lap. “I was scared. I thought . . .”
“I know. And I’m sorry. I promise next time to give a little more information when I text you.”
Next time. Beth knew there would be a next time. With his line of work, it was inevitable.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
“I’m thinking how hard this is going to be going through this for the rest of my life.” He grew really still, and Beth looked up to see what was wrong. “What is it?”
“You said the rest of your life.”
She hesitated. “I did, didn’t I?”
“Yes. You did.”
Beth flipped over one of his hands and traced the lines in his palm. “I’m not ready to get married yet, but I want you in my life, Drew Parker. And one day, hopefully not too long from now, I will be ready to walk down the aisle with you, and have a family with you . . . the whole nine yards.”
A huge smile spread across his face, and before she knew what was happening he was kissing her—right there in the waiting room. It was only when a couple of the guys whistled that Drew pulled back. They were both breathing heavily. She never thought she would get a kiss like that in a hospital waiting room.
“I love you. I meant it. I’ll wait as long as it takes for you to be ready,” he vowed.
She caressed the side of his face. “I don’t think it will take that long. You seem to have a way of breaking through all my defenses.”
He kissed her again. “Good. I’ll keep chiseling away.”
Beth grinned. “But you have to promise me something.”
“Anything.”
“You have to do everything in your power to keep yourself safe. I don’t think I could handle it if something ever happened to you.”
Drew brushed his lips against hers. “You got it.”
***
Chapter 33
Beth pulled into her driveway and smiled when she saw Drew’s car was already there. It had been ten days since she’d sat across from him in the emergency room and admitted that she wanted a future with him. She’d imagined going home after that and celebrating their new commitment with a long bout of kinky lovemaking. What actually happened was about as far removed as it could get.
Shawn didn’t regain consciousness right away and Drew refused to leave his side until he did. She stayed with him as long as she could, but eventually he asked her to go home and get some rest. There really wasn’t anything she could do there. All he was doing was sitting alongside his friend’s bed waiting for him to wake up.
It took more than twenty-four hours, but eventually Shawn did open his eyes and start talking again. He had a concussion, of course. On top of that, they also found out that he’d dislocated his shoulder. Drew stayed with him at the hospital until he was released and then took him home. Since Shawn didn’t have anyone else, Drew effectively moved in with his friend until he had to return to work. Even then, Drew checked on Shawn as much as he could, making sure he had everything he needed.
Needless to say, while he was watching over his friend, Drew and Beth hadn’t spent much time together. They talked on the phone and sent text messages, but it wasn’t enough. Not for him and certainly not for her. It scared her how much she needed him.
Parking her car and turning off the engine, she made her way toward the door that led into the house. Drew was staying with her for the next four days and she planned to make the most of every minute.
As she reached for the doorknob, she paused. Beth had a lot to be thankful for. Drew was safe and they were ready to start their future together—whatever that might be. Shawn was going to recover. He’d be on desk duty for a while, but from everything Drew had told her, that wouldn’t keep him down for long.
Things hadn’t gone so well for the other firefighter, James Kelly. He ended up having complications from his injuries and died in the hospital four days later. They’d attended the funeral. Drew had to work, but that hadn’t mattered. All the guys from the station were there. The ones who were on duty showed up in their uniforms alongside their trucks. Beth met Drew at the gravesite, wanting to be there with him.
Taking a deep breath and pushing back the wave of emotion that was threatening, she opened the door and stepped inside. If all went right, she was planning to give Drew the watch she’d bought him tonight. She needed to feel that connection with him now more than ever. “Honey, I’m home.”
Drew strolled out of the kitchen in nothing but one of her aprons. “You’re early.”
Beth chuckled and wrapped her arms around his waist, making sure to grab two handfuls of his bare behind. “And what do we have here?”
He smiled. “I wanted to surprise you. I’m making dinner.”
