Some things were better left buried, he thought. He had Gina safe now, and he was alive. Given a second chance it seemed. Jeremy vowed not to waste it.
That dream had seemed so real. “Love well, my son.” Those were her parting words. “My son…” Could it be? He tried to remember all of her words.
His hand, now restored to normal sensitivity, reached out and touched the silky hair. Jeremy buried his fingers in the golden softness and combed through a loose portion, reveling in the simple gift and cherishing the moment.
He felt her stiffen and continued with his finger-combing. “Jeremy?” Gina breathed his name. The most beautiful sound in the world. He knew she was awake, but she kept her head down. Then she stopped breathing.
“You’re stuck with me a bit longer, sweetheart. Death, it seems, is not willing to have me just yet.”
Gina whipped her head around so fast, his hand fell away. “Thank the heavenly angels,” she blurted, gripping his palm and showering it with kisses.
“You have no idea,” he murmured. He smiled at her and noted she looked bone-weary, dark circles under her eyes, a bruise on her left cheek, a small pressure cut at her throat, and very pale, but still the most beautiful vision he’d ever seen or imagined to see.
“I prayed so hard. I was so afraid of losing you—” She lost her words as the sobbing took hold. “Couldn’t—live—without you—” She hiccupped.
He cupped her face with his one hand. “Nor I without you, my sweetheart.” He brushed his thumb over her unmarred cheekbone. “Your face is the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen, but you look like hell, love.”
Her lip trembled for a moment. “You’ve come back to me,” she whispered.
“How about you lie down with me? On my good side.” He winced as he shifted over on the bed to make room for her.
“Jeremy, you’re in hospital!”
“Am I? I hadn’t noticed,” he teased, his eyes grabbing hers. “All I can see is you. You’re all that matters to—”
“Well, well, this is a good sign! Awake and even coherent from all indications.” A doctor had appeared, voice booming over him before taking his wrist to check the pulse.
Jeremy blinked. “Cameron, is that you?”
The doctor grinned. “It is. What’s it been, Greymont, ten years?”
“Good God, Cameron, you’re a doctor! You’ve made quite a transformation since university. Never would have thought it possible. I remember you had an aversion to the sight of blood, for Christ’s sake!”
“Yes, well I grew out of it.” He arched a brow. “Your pulse has steadied. That’s encouraging. How are you feeling?”
Jeremy grunted. “Like I’ve been sat on by an ox.”
“Not a surprise,” Cameron countered.
“And thirsty. Can you spare a drop of something—anything?”
“Also not a surprise. You’re dehydrated from blood loss. Watered wine, broths, and tea will have to do. No spirits for you yet.”
“As you say, Doctor.” Jeremy grinned and turned back to Gina, grateful just to take in her presence, safe and whole next to him.
“You should know I’ve shared quite a few stories about your dissolute youth with your wife here.” Cameron winked at Gina. “And for all your faults, she seems to be blind to them. She is devoted to you regardless. You are a lucky man to have her, Greymont.”
“I know. Have always known it.”
“No, I mean lucky it was her with you,” Cameron insisted. “Greymont, you are only alive because of her. She kept your wound from bleeding out and got you here while you still had a pulse. No woman I know could have done all that and remained so focused.”
“But I am not surprised.” Jeremy kept his eyes on Gina and answered the doctor. “And you are right. My wife is like no other woman. She is brave and strong and brilliant—and I truly couldn’t live without her.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
A feeling heart is a blessing that no one,
who has it, would be without…