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A knock sounded on the door.
Sadie McClain peeked her head around the door. “May we come in? It’s okay if you’re not feeling up to it. We won’t bother you.”
“No, please, come in.” Londyn tried to sit up and push her hair out of her face. “I must look awful.”
Sadie crossed to the side of the bed, carrying a vase of pink and white carnations. “Oh, sweetie, don’t you worry about it. After what you’ve been through, it’s a miracle you survived. Hank told me you nearly drowned and almost died in a fire. I told him you should come to White Oak Ranch to let me take care of you while you recuperate.”
Londyn laughed. “I can’t even imagine what it would be like to have Sadie McClain waiting on me hand and foot.”
“Sorry, but she needs to be in her own home, surrounded by family who will take care of her.”
Nash turned to find Dana Tyler and Ben Standing Bear standing at the door to Londyn’s room.
“Mother?” Londyn looked around Hank and Sadie.
Dana walked around to the other side of the bed and took her daughter’s hand. “Hey, baby.”
“How did you get here so quickly?”
Dana tipped her head toward Nash. “Your young man called me when they admitted you to the hospital yesterday. Ben brought me over in his airplane today.” She shook her head. “Did you know he has his private pilot’s license?”
Londyn looked from her mother to Ben. “No, I didn’t.”
“Like I was saying,” Dana said. “You can recuperate at home on the ranch. I’ll be staying indefinitely if that’s all right by you.”
Londyn smiled at Hank and Sadie. “Thank you for the offer. Though I’d love to visit sometime, I’d really like to be home.” She turned to Nash. “As long as you come home with me.”
Nash’s heart swelled. “Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.” He looked around the room at Hank, Sadie and Dana. “I want to thank you all for having the confidence in me to provide protection for Londyn. Without this opportunity, I wouldn’t have met Londyn and found out what a strong, courageous and loyal woman she is. And beautiful.” He grinned. “Did I say beautiful?” His smile slid away. “But I can’t accept your money for this job. Because you see, I would do it for free and for the rest of my life.” He laughed.
Hank, Sadie and Dana all shook their heads.
“I’d pay ten times what we agreed on,” Dana said. “You saved my daughter’s life.”
“Three times a charm,” Londyn murmured.
Nash shot a glance toward Londyn. She’d said the same thing when she’d been half out of it after he’d pulled her out of the burning cabin.
Dana held up her hands and backed away. “I won’t let you refund my money.”
“You heard the client,” Hank said with a grin. “Your first assignment as a Brotherhood Protector was a success. If you don’t want to be paid, you can donate that amount.”
“I know of a woman’s shelter,” Sadie said. “They always need food, supplies and scholarships for women trying to get themselves out of abusive situations.”
“Donate it,” Nash said.
“Done,” Hank said.
“Hank,” Nash squeezed Londyn’s hand gently, “if you don’t want me to work for you anymore, I’ll understand.”
Hank chuckled. “Nash, you’re exactly the kind of person we want as a Brotherhood Protector. I don’t accept your resignation if that’s what you’re doing. After Miss Tyler-Lovejoy recuperates, we’ll have another assignment waiting for you.”
Nash nodded. “Thank you, sir.”
Sadie set the vase of flowers on a table. “Hank, we should go. I promised Chuck and Kate we’d be back early enough that they can hit Taco Tuesday at the Blue Moose Tavern. It’s their date night.” She smiled at Londyn. “I’m glad you’re going to be all right, and I know you’ll spring back in no time because that’s what badass women like you do. Hank and I can’t wait to see the movie when it comes out. We’ll be at the premiere to cheer you on. And, please, come see us.”
“Thank you so much for everything,” Londyn croaked, her voice fading by the end of the sentence.
Hank and Sadie left the hospital room.
