Chapter 37: Chapter 37

WREN

I’m released from the hospital the next day after my CAT scan comes back clear. The drive home is painful, but I’m so happy to see Puck and a soft bed with no beeping machines around it.

There’s a brilliant bouquet of flowers on the countertop from Lance’s parents. Lance hangs up my keys and puts my medication on the table.

“Do you want food first or a shower?” he asks.

I sigh gratefully—he knows exactly what I want.

“I’d love to take a shower first,” I say.

“No problem.”

Lance and I go upstairs, where he starts the shower and I sit on the bed and carefully start removing my clothes.

Lance comes out and wordlessly drops to his knees in front of me. He starts removing my socks and jeans for me.

In the bathroom, he strips down and steps in behind me. His shower is big with both a rain shower head and a removable shower head. There are also benches on either side.

Lance tenderly washes my hair, massaging my head gently, then rinses with the removable shower head.

He sits me down on one of the benches where he washes my body down to my feet then gently rinses the soap off. Finally, he pulls me up and just holds me under the warm water.

I lean against him, my head resting on his muscular chest. I melt into him, overwhelmed by his tenderness.

It’s the most intimate moment I’ve ever experienced without sex.

After we get out, Lance towels me off and helps me put lotion all over my body. My bruises are apparent and I can tell he’s trying not to get upset at the sight of them.

Finally, he wraps me in a terrycloth robe and slides me under the covers of his bed before he puts sweatpants and a t-shirt on. He gives me some pain meds and a glass of water, then sits next to me.

“Hungry? Want me to make you food?”

I shake my head. “Maybe a little later. Can you just lay with me?”

He smiles. “Absolutely.”

Lance gets in bed next to me and holds me gently. Within minutes, I fall asleep.

***

The next few days are more of the same. Lance is so attentive and soft and I feel grateful for his care, but by day three, I’m getting restless.

I’m starting to feel like I’m made of glass and I’m ready to return to normalcy.

That evening, I’m reading in bed next to Lance when I put my book down and place my hand on his chest. He puts his phone down and looks at me.

“You need something? Water?”

I chuckle. “No, no, thank you. I just want to thank you again, sincerely. You’ve been so attentive and kind.”

Lance looks at me skeptically. “Why do I feel like there’s a ‘but’ coming?”

“I wanna go back to work.”

Lance raises his eyebrows. “You’re supposed to rest for at least a few more days.”

“I know, I know, but I’m going a little crazy here.”

Lance sighs and looks at me sympathetically.

“I remember that feeling well. Okay, but if you start to hurt or get tired, you have to rest. You have to listen to your body. Deal?”

I nod. “Deal.”

We turn the lamp off and snuggle down into the blankets. Lance gently rubs my arm while his eyes close.

“Lance?”

He opens them again. “Hmm?”

“I have been wanting to tell you. I just want to say...I love you.”

He gives me that gorgeous grin that makes me melt every time.

“I love you too, Wren. I’ve loved you for quite some time now.”

I smile back. “Really?”

He leans in close and kisses me deeply. I can feel his passion and desire. His need is palpable. He pulls back and touches his forehead to mine. My brain is swimming.

“Really.”

***

We return to a more normal pace for us. We’re back in the shop or barn working full time and my injuries, while still pretty colors, hurt much less than they used to.

By the end of the next week, we make it to the bunkhouse for dinner one night and have a great time eating and drinking with the rest of the crew.

Several people clap me on the back and mention how glad they are to see me back at work.

While we are standing around drinking beer and playing darts with several others, Lance looks at me.

“I forgot to tell you—I have to drive into Whitefish with my family on Wednesday next week to meet with the new livestock commissioner,” he says.

I frown slightly. “How come you have to go?” I ask.

“Well, Grant has to meet with a buyer here and Mom wants one of us to be there so her and Dad can continue to step away,” he says. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back by dinner time.”

“Promise?” I ask.

“Yes, definitely. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Lance squeezes my ass and I wrap my arms around him and give him a graphic kiss.

“Come on, Lance, break it up. It’s your turn,” Logan says playfully as he plops the darts into Lance’s hand. He turns to Grant. “Are they always like this?”

“Worse, actually,” Grant says with a chuckle as he swigs from his beer. Lance smacks him in the chest with the back of his hand as he prepares to throw the darts.

“Jealousy is an ugly color, guys. Now step aside while I finish this game once and for all.”

About twenty minutes later, we say goodnight and head back to Lance’s house. Lance has his arm around my shoulders and my arm is tucked around his waist.

After we hear the bunkhouse door close behind us, we walk for a few more feet before I lean toward Lance’s ear.

“You think he bought it?”

Lance’s smile drops, but he keeps his eyes forward.

“I hope so.”