Liam’s eyes narrowed as he stared at Eric across her bed. But Eric ignored him, turning to her. He raised one hand, running his fingertips down her cheek.
“I was wrong, Georgia. I let you go. I told myself it was the best thing for you and for my family. I hid behind your traumatic experiences, when you were the one who faced your demons head-on. I let my childhood dictate my future when I should have fought for you.”
He leaned down, brushing his lips over hers, a gentle kiss, but one given in front of her family and his. He pulled away and Georgia stared up at him, wondering if he understood how much she needed him in her life. How she’d realized that she was stronger with him, loving him, than apart.
“Eric,” she whispered.
“I’m sorry, Georgia,” he said. “Please come home. I’ll be here for you every day. I’ll help you heal, inside and out, no matter how long it takes. I swear I’ll trust in your inner strength. If you promise you’ll let me help you when you need it.”
She nodded, feeling close to tears, but no longer caring who heard his magical words.
“Let me be your next big rush. Let becoming part of my family be your next big thrill,” he said. “Georgia—”
“Yes,” she said quickly. “Yes.”
He raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. She had a feeling she knew what he’d been about to say, and she didn’t want to hear it. Not here. Not like this.
He’d told her he loved her before, while she was surfacing from a nightmare. Today, the wreck, and the dead woman from the other car—it felt like another terrible dream. When he said those words to her, she needed to know they came from the heart and were not wrapped up in fleeting panic and dread.
Fear touched every corner of her life. And that wasn’t going to stop. Not today and probably not anytime in the future. But she didn’t want it to be part of this moment with Eric.
THE NEXT MORNING, Eric and Nate picked her up at the hospital and brought her home. Eric took them out to lunch in town and, over burritos, asked about her doctor’s follow-up instructions. The conversation moved from the side effects of a concussion to how many trains Nate could bring to show-and-tell at preschool.
No declarations of falling in love or promises of forever.
On the drive home, Georgia silently hoped the right moment would arise for Eric to declare his feelings. She wanted to hear those words. But Nate grabbed her hand the minute they walked in the door. He dragged her up the stairs and down the hall to the room she’d stayed in when she’d first become his nanny. Her hope hiccupped. When Eric had said those words back
at the hospital—becoming part of my family—she’d envisioned different living arrangements.
“It’s gone!” Nate cried.
Georgia crouched beside him. “What’s missing, kiddo?”
“The sign!” he wailed.
She heard Eric’s footsteps in the hall and turned. “Not gone. Just moved. Georgia will be sleeping in my room from now on.”
The hiccups vanished as if she’d been holding her breath, waiting for confirmation. Eric scooped Nate up and took Georgia’s good hand. He led them back down the stairs to his master bedroom. Now their room. Setting Nate on the floor, he pointed to the door. “There it is.”
Georgia sank beside the little boy, studying the circles, dots, and Xs on the paper. “Did you make this, Nate?”
He nodded. “This sign will keep the bears away.”
“Thanks, kiddo. It’s perfect.” Georgia drew him into a hug. Releasing the little boy just enough to see his face, she added, “You know what else helps keep the bears away?”
“What?”
“Waking up and remembering I have you and your uncle Eric.”
She felt Eric’s hand on her shoulder. He gave her a light squeeze.
“Always,” he said. “Always.”
Georgia spent the rest of the day playing trains, reading books, and watching Nate run in the yard. Eric fired up the grill and made steaks for dinner. Afterward, they put Nate to bed. Together.
Stepping out on the stone patio, monitor in hand, Georgia watched the sun sink behind the mountains.
“Thinking about a swim?” Eric came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, drawing her back against him.