The Sharpest Edge (21 page)

“Yep.” He caught her chin and made her look at him again. “You scared the hell out of me, passing out with all that blood gushing out of your leg.”

“Really?” Somehow, the thought she could scare him sounded okay to her. “Cool. How’s Cheryl?”

“Fine. Everyone’s fine. Didi’s going to live, but she’s going to jail. Same with Carl. They killed Will and Pete and tried to kill your dad. But that doesn’t matter.”

“It doesn’t?”

“No. See, here’s the thing. You’re wrong.”

She frowned. “Maybe it’s the painkillers—” which weren’t working all that well, by the way “—but I’m really not following you.”

“Your mom was right. When I was eighteen, I wanted you
and
your family. And I still do, but I want you more.”

She blinked. “What are you talking about?” She had a feeling she didn’t want to misinterpret this one.

“When you were off with Didi, I realized I couldn’t lose you again. If you left this time…” He shook his head. “Nope. I can’t allow it. If you won’t stay, I’m coming with you. After all, they probably have an open spot in Ramsey’s department, don’t you think?”

She stared at him. “You’re going to move to L.A.? What about the camp?”

“The camp doesn’t matter. Cheryl doesn’t want it, so your dad’s going to sell it.”

“You’re not going to buy it?”

“No.” He gripped her hand tighter. “Don’t you understand what I’m trying to say?”

She smiled then. He was so going to have to say it. If he didn’t, she’d never believe it. “No, tell me.”

“I love you. More than the camp. More than your dad. More than your family. I’ll ditch this town and move to California if you’ll marry me this time.” He let his breath out. “So? What do you say?”

She couldn’t wipe the grin off her face. “You really love me?”

“Yes.” He kissed the back of her hand. “Nothing like seeing the woman you love collapse in a pool of blood to make you realize what’s important in life.”

“That’s so romantic.” It was, actually. Maybe she should swoon. The stubborn man finally loved her. Really loved her.

He shrugged. “I didn’t have time to get romantic. I was too worried that you’d yank out your IV and march off to the airport before I had time to declare my undying love and devotion.”

Okay, so that made her smile grow even bigger. “Undying love and devotion? I like that.”

He groaned and pressed her hand into his forehead. “Stop teasing me. I’ve had enough stress lately.” He looked up and she saw the vulnerability in his eyes. “Will you marry me? And leaving me at the altar doesn’t count as a yes.”

She shook her head. “I can’t. Not under those terms.”

His face fell. “But I thought—”

“That I loved you?” At his nod, she smiled. “I do. But I’m not into this whole idea of you moving out to L.A.”

His brow puckered in consternation. “Why not?”

“Because I’ll miss you too much.”

Now it was his turn to look confused. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m staying here.”

He looked shocked. “You are? Why?”

“Because I don’t want to grow old without my family. When Cheryl walked in, I realized how much I’d missed out on with her living so far away. And I have a dad again. Yeah, we still have a lot to work out, but if I leave, I’m afraid we’ll never get it sorted out.” She met Sean’s gaze. “I lost my mom, but it’s my fault if I lose out on everything else.” She smiled. “I fell back in love with you the minute you walked into my house to chase away a prowler, but I was afraid to love a man who didn’t love me the way I wanted to be loved.”

“And now?”

“You’ve convinced me.”

“So you’ll marry me?”

“As long as we stay here. And I think Cheryl’s wrong about the camp. She’s going to want it later on in life, so it’s my job to buy it for her.”

Sean grinned. “You can’t lie to me. You’re buying it for yourself.”

“For us, Sean. For us.”

He leaned forward and kissed her gently, careful not to rattle her shoulder or touch her bandaged leg. “Your family
is in the hall. I kicked them out. Can we bring them in and make the announcement?”

She grinned. “Only if you promise to get me out of this hospital room today. I want a little privacy with the man I love.”

“Deal.”

He tightened his grip on her hand, then turned toward the door. “You guys can come in.”

The door flew open, and in marched Cheryl, pushing Alan in a wheelchair, Chief Vega, Eddie, and Helen, helping Max with a walker.

It had taken ten years to find her way, but finally she was home.