Page 78 of Protect My Heart

“I wouldn’t give up one single day with him even though I know it will rip me to shreds if that day comes.”

Blinking back tears, the word slipped out. “Why?”

“Because I love him.” The expression on Renae’s face clearly screamed “duh”. “We’ve had years of joy and fights, and amazing sex.”

“Don’t forget your kids.” Julie added.

“Yes, my beautiful babies.”

Babies. Liz could envision the kids she and Jim could have. Her heart lodged in her throat. Could she give him her heart?

A heart-sized lump settled in her throat. She already had.

“Girls, how’s it going?” Irene peeked in the trash can Julie had filled.

“Almost done here.” She pulled the drawstring and hoisted the bag from the can.

The sisters gave Liz a knowing smile and left the room.

“How did you do it?” Liz asked not needing to clarify.

Irene entwined her fingers with hers. “Tomorrow is never promised. I pray a lot. And I love a lot.” She shrugged. “Ultimately, I decided not to waste one single moment. We’ve been married forty-two years next August.”

“That’s wonderful.”

“It is. Trenton’s lost friends over the years. I lost my brother to cancer at twenty-six. You can’t live in fear. Life is what you make of it.”

Liz smiled. “You’ve made an amazing life.”

“A long marriage. Five children, three of them cops. Five grandchildren—so far.” Irene winked. Pride radiated from her. “I’m so glad I took a chance.”

Irene pulled a mug from the cabinet and filled it with coffee. She handed it to Liz and nodded toward the living room.

Take a chance, echoed in her ears. Did she have that kind of courage?

Her heart pounded in her chest. Tigger’s nose nudged her leg. Glancing down, a smile split her face. She loved him. Her gaze moved to his owner. Her smile dropped. Take a chance.

Pain radiated from the holes in his hip. Tightness slowed his movements as he flipped off the covers. He reached for his pants and a sharp intake of breath filled his lungs.

“Do you need help?” Doc’s morning voice was so sexy with the low rasp of sleep.

“I’m good.” He tensed as he slipped his leg in the jeans. One leg in, one leg out. He stopped and reached for the pain killer.

“Let me help you to the bathroom then you can come back to bed.”

“I’m not going back to sleep. I need to get to the station.”

“What?” She shot up in bed. “It’s only been two days. You need rest. It might not have hit a vital organ, but you were shot. You could get an infection.”

“The doc prescribed me antibiotics along with the pain killers.” He turned to her and cupped her cheek. “It was a flesh wound. I’ll be fine.”

“Jim Swenson. I saw the wound. It’s more than a flesh wound.” Her hands flew to her hips. “Get those pants off and get back into this bed. Now.”

He cracked a smile. “I love when you get demanding in bed.”

She cocked her head, and threw him a sexy look. “Well then get into bed and I can take your mind off your pain.”

Leaning in, he hid a flinch. His gaze canvassed her sexy curves. “You don’t know how it pains me to do this. I’ll take a rain check.”