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Dakota pulled back for a second. “You better watch out, Monroe. I’m falling hard for you.”
“Glad it’s not just me.”
Because Dakota Masterson was better than any hero her imagination could come up with.
Now that Dakota had had a taste of the sweetness that was Allie, he couldn’t get out of this hospital room fast enough. He finished dressing. How much longer was the doctor gonna take? He wanted to see Allie. No, heneededto see her. Needed to see that he hadn’t imagined that kiss at the campground. That she was really here, waiting for him.
He paced the small exam room. Slowly. Every muscle in his body hurt, but he didn’t have to stay overnight.
Thanks for the small mercies as well as the big ones, Lord.
Now that he was stitched up, he was ready to go.
Dakota was about to flag down the nearest medical professional when the nurse knocked and came in. She handed him a stack of papers.
“All right, since we can’t talk you into staying overnight, here are your discharge papers. But the doctor needs to know where you want your prescription for pain meds to be sent. Do you use a pharmacy here in Ember?”
“Not necessary. I’ll stick with ibuprofen.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Are you sure? You have bruised ribs, stitches, not to mention the injuries to your hands and face.”
“No thanks. I don’t do so well with narcotics.”
“All right. Then sign here and you’re free to go.”
He scribbled his signature on the tablet she handed him and walked out to the waiting room.
Allie’s smile lit up as soon as she saw him. Looked like she’d been checked out too. Her head was wrapped with gauze, and she had a nice shiner, but she was still the most beautiful woman he knew. She rushed over and hugged him. Scout barked.
“You want a little attention too, huh?” Dakota reached down and scratched the dog behind his ears.
“We’ve been waiting for you. Everything is okay?”
“Yeah. I’m good. You?”
“Doc said I’m fine. And…”
Dakota stayed kneeling by Scout. “And what?”
“I talked to my dad. And Mom.”
“You did?” He stood, reached for her hand. “How did it go?”
Her eyes shimmered with tears. “I got the whole story out, and by the end I think we were all crying. Somehow, my dad knew, or at least suspected a lot of the details already.”
“So they didn’t kick you out of the family?”
She wiped the tears that had fallen. “No. They were just waiting for me to come back home, in a sense. They said I was already forgiven and that nothing changes how much they love me.”
“I told you.” He smirked.
Allie rolled her eyes at him. “I know. Go ahead and rub it in.” She paused. “I think I’ll spend some time with them before I head back to Benson. And maybe when you’re done for the season or have some time off, you can come with me to meet them.”
Dakota’s heart swelled. “I’d like that.” Before he could say more, Scout pawed at their legs until Dakota bent down and rubbed his flanks. “Is someone feeling neglected?”
The dog licked his cheek.
“All right, Scout. My turn. Lie down.” Allie waited for Scout to obey—which he did the first time! Then she stood on her tiptoes and planted a sweet lingering kiss on Dakota’s lips.