Chapter Thirty-Four
Two days was an eternity in a hospital. Maggie’s throat was fine, and the painkillers took care of all the aches. Now she just wanted to get out of here and go home. Well, to Colton’s ranch technically, but it would be home for her now.
Thinking of Colton and home in the same sentence made her smile. It was nice to think of sharing a place with the man she loved.
“Hey, sweetheart. You about ready to go?”
There he stood, leaning against the open door jam, the man who held her heart. He had on worn jeans that hung low on his hips, a blue button up open over a white T-shirt that hugged his deliciously chiseled chest, feet covered by his standard cowboy boots, and black Stetson in his hand. He looked yummy enough to eat.
“I was ready two days ago.”
He chuckled. The sound was a caress right between her legs.
“Let’s get you home then.”
Home. She liked the way he said home. It felt right.
“I need help changing.” She gave him a naughty look.
Dade had brought a change of clothes yesterday. The clothes she’d been brought in with had been ruined beyond salvage. Not that she wanted to keep them. There was no way she could ever wear those particular items of clothing ever again.
Colton stepped into the room, shutting the door behind him. With a wicked gleam in his eyes, he stalked toward the bed. She was thankful they had detached her from the heart rate monitor that morning. With the way her heart was racing, she would have broken it for sure.
“Let’s get you out of this hospital gown to start with.”
He stood in front of her as she sat on the bed. Reaching around, he pulled the tie on the back of the gown. It slowly released, falling softly, causing the back to gape open. The cool air hit her skin, sending shivers up her spine.
“Cold, Magpie?”
She nodded her head.
“Let me see what I can do to warm you up.”
He leaned in, his lips brushing hers. Gentle was nice, but she was done with gentle. She needed him and she needed him now. Thrusting her hand into his hair, she pulled him to her, taking over the kiss.
He let out a muffled sound of surprise, but happily obliged her fervor. When her tongue pressed against the seam of his lips, he opened enthusiastically for her.
This was what she needed. Colton, hot and wild, pressed against her. It’d be even better if he were naked.
At that moment, two voices could be heard shouting out in the hallway. They paused as the voices got louder. It sounded like a man and a woman, and both very familiar, too.
“She’s changing, you can’t go in there now.”
“Don’t tell me what I can’t do. I need to see her.”
She did know that voice. “Is that—”
Colton turned to face the door just as it burst open.
“Maggie!”
“Lizzy?”
Shocked at the sight of her best friend, she could do nothing except stare. Thankfully, Colton had a little more brainpower. He stealthily moved behind her and pulled her gown closed, retying it for her.
“I told you she would be happy to see me.” Lizzy sneered at Dade, who stood behind her and appeared very put out.
“She looks more confused than happy.”
Her best friend growled, actually growled. “Stow it, cowpoke.”
“Cowpoke?” Dade looked confused by the insult.
“Lizzy, what are you doing here?”
“My best friend gets shot, and you don’t think I’d drop everything to come see you?”
The tall strawberry-blonde rushed to the bed, arms open. Maggie welcomed her friend’s embrace. She’d missed her so much, and only wished her friend had a better reason to come see her. But Lizzy was here now, and that was all that mattered.
Soft arms squeezed her, causing her stitches to pull slightly. She winced, and her friend immediately pulled away.
“I’m sorry, are you all right?”
“She just had a bullet rip through her gut. What do you think?” Dade crossed his arms over his chest, scowling at Lizzy.
What was wrong with him? Maggie had never seen him act this way toward anyone. Dade was kind and stoic. She had never seen the man get riled.
Her best friend sent him a glare over her shoulder. “Was I talking to you, cowpoke?”
He glared right back. “It’s Dade.”
“Hi, I’m Colton Denning,” his brother said from behind Maggie. He gave Lizzy his friendliest smile and stretched out his hand. “You must be the famous Lizzy I have heard so much about.”
She returned his smile, accepting his outstretched hand. Maggie was glad he was good at diffusing tense situations, though she was still confused as to why Dade and Lizzy seemed to be at such odds.
“Oh right. Colt, this is my best friend in the whole wide world, Elizabeth Hayworth.”
“Lizzy, to my friends,” she said releasing his hand. Jutting her chin over her shoulder, she scowled at the older Denning brother. “You may call me Elizabeth.”
Dade narrowed his eyes.
“You’ll have to excuse my brother.” Colton grinned. “He’s just grumpy because he hasn’t had his morning coffee yet.”
“Colton.” The big man narrowed his gaze in warning.
“Lighten up, big brother. We’re almost ready to go.”
“The nurse says the discharge papers need to be signed,” Dade said, now glaring daggers at Lizzy’s back.
Colton kissed the top of her head. “I’ll go take care of the paper work. Let you two catch up. Be back in about ten?”
She nodded, giving him a smile. “I’ll be ready to go. Lizzy can help me change.”
He leaned down to place a soft kiss on her lips. “This time. She can help you into your clothes. I’ll help you out of them when we get home.”
Her cheeks heated at his words, so full of sensual promise.
The men left, and once the door was closed, Lizzy fanned herself with a hand. “Good gravy girl, you didn’t mention he was scrumdiddlyumptious!”
She laughed. “I’m pretty sure I did, and that’s not a word.”
“It should be.”
“Help me get dressed, will you?”
Her best friend helped her stand and retrieved the long maxi dress Dade brought for her. It was one of the few dresses she owned. She requested it, specifically, because it was easy to slip on and wouldn’t put pressure on her stitches. No jeans for a while, that was for sure.
As Lizzy helped her get out of the hospital gown and into the dress, she inquired about how long her friend would be staying.
“Well, you see…the thing is…it’s kind of open-ended.”
Dress on, she lowered herself into the wheel chair the nurse had brought in earlier. It still took a lot of energy to stand for too long.
“What do you mean? Did you get fired?”
“No, I quit. I couldn’t take working there anymore.” Lizzy absently folded the gown and placed it on the bed. “It’s just no fun if you’re not there, Maggie.” She leaned against the bed, arms crossed. “I have some savings and time on my hands, so I thought I’d come out here and help you until you’re back on your feet.”
She really could use the help, and Lizzy already knew about managing a business. She could take over for Maggie while she recovered. But it would be a lot of work; she couldn’t do that to her friend.
“Stop that right now.”
She glanced up in shock.
“I know what you’re thinking, and you’re not forcing me to do anything. I’m offering. You can’t very well run the shop after being shot. I’m here to take over as long as you need.” Her friend thought for a second then added, “As long as someone else does the baking.”
Lizzy could burn water. The woman’s go to meal was ordering take-out. Maggie laughed out loud, wincing when the action pulled at her stitches. “Okay, okay, you win. Actually, I really do need you. I have the bakers, but having someone to run the business side would be extremely helpful.”
Bright red lips smiled. “Then it’s settled.” Her friend’s eyes misted over as her smile dimmed. “I was really scared I might lose you, Maggie.”
Her own eyes started to tear. “Me, too.”
Lizzy grabbed her in another tight embrace, being careful of her stitches this time. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
That was how the men found them when they returned, locked in a hug of happiness. It was a bit awkward since she was still sitting in the wheelchair, but it felt good to be with her best friend when there was a moment in time she thought she might never see the other woman again.
“You ladies ready to get out of here?” Colton gave them his trademark grin.
Lizzy stood, wiping at her eyes. She smiled at Colton, but sent Dade another glare. He didn’t respond to her look. Just stood there with a grim expression.
What’s the deal there?
Colton walked over and grabbed the handles of the wheel chair. He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Ready to go home, Magpie?”
Home. A home she could share with him.
“I’m ready.”
She really was.