From This Moment

Waking up slowly in Cade’s arms, while he caresses my face, is heaven. I want to keep my eyes shut, but know that isn’t possible.

“Hi.” I open my eyes and look straight into Cade’s.

“Hi. I’m sorry to wake you, but the paramedics want to take a look at you, and then you need to talk to Daniel and a DEA rep.”

“Daniel’s nice.”

“He’s not that nice.” Cade scowls.

“Don’t worry, you’re the only one with my heart.” I give Cade a kiss, but he pulls away, much to my disappointment.

“We have company, sweetheart,” he says. I turn and see Anna, Justin, Daniel, two paramedics and a couple of sheriff’s deputies, if I’m not mistaken, and the same strange guy as before, all looking at us.

“Oops! Let’s get this show on the road.” I try to move from Cade, but I’m unable to manage.

“Let me carry you to the sofa.” Then he turns to the others. “Okay, everyone to the kitchen, except the paramedics.” At this order from Cade, people scatter.

Once the room clears, one of the paramedics steps forward. “Hi, Rona, I’m Lucas and my partner over there is Graham.”

“Hi, it’s mainly my left thigh and hip that’s painful. I don’t think anything is broken, just badly bruised.”

There is no way I’m going to the hospital.

Cade helps me get my yoga pants down so everyone can see the bruising on my hip and thigh—a huge and ugly mess that makes me wince in pain.

“Cade, are you okay?” He’s lost all color and stares with tears in his eyes. I reach for his hand, holding tight through the rest of the examination.

Fully dressed once more, I still cling to Cade’s hand. “I’m a bit sore, but okay.” I pull him closer. “Tell Daniel he’s up.”

Cade calls Daniel over while I keep my eyes on the man I love. The feel

ings he brings out in me are so strong. I’m not sure what to do with them half the time.

“Hi, Rona,” Daniel brings my attention over to him. “I’m going to record this, if it’s all right. It will also get it over quickly, because I’m not writing everything down.” Daniel sets a tape recorder down on top of the coffee table.

The other guy walks over and sits next to Daniel. He’s tall with cropped hair, broad shoulders, a flat stomach, and strong thighs. He looks uncomfortable in his wrinkled suit. I’m guessing he’s more of a jeans kind of guy, and when I focus on his face I see a huge grin on there.

Shit. Caught ogling. I hope he doesn’t get the wrong idea.

“Rona, is it okay to call you that?” I nod. “I’m Josh Mitchell and I work for the Drug Enforcement Agency. Do you mind if I ask you some questions along with the sheriff?”

I hold Cade’s hand. “No, that’s fine, Mr. Mitchell.” He looks too young to be an agent. I wonder how old he is.

He smiles. “Mr. Mitchell is my father. Josh will do fine.”

As I’m giving Daniel my statement, Cade’s grip on my hand keeps tightening. A couple of times, I have to squeeze his fingers to loosen his hold. After about thirty minutes, Daniel asks his last question.

“Rona, you said Nick told you the big boss was after him. Did he give you any names? Locations?”

“No, I’m sorry, nothing. I really wish I could help you more, but I didn’t hear anything like that. Although, he did say that he was selling drugs with Tom and a couple of other guys, but he didn’t mention any names.”

“Okay, thank you for your time,” he says, smiling.

“What about Grace, Tom’s sister?” I ask.

Josh frowns. “What about her?”

“Well, is she okay after Tom’s attack?”