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“That’s a lot of sandwiches,” he said. “You just wanted to bring everyone lunch?”

“Yes,” I said. “But also, it means something to Jesse. It’s kind of a thing between the two of us.”

“Sandwiches?” Tamara said. “Now that’s the kind of love language a girl can get behind.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

Jesse

For once, I was alone in my room. Collin had gone back to the house for a bit, Owen had left as well, and Luke and Amber had gone to get some rest. Occasionally, a nurse would come in and check on me, but otherwise, I was left alone for an hour or so, and I found myself kind of enjoying the quiet. After a little while, I decided to actually try and stand, since my legs hadn’t been anything more than cut up a little and bruised.

It took a few minutes to extricate myself from the bed, but eventually, I had my feet on the floor, those pale blue sticky bottomed socks helping me grip, and I pushed off the bed to stand.

Immediately, I realized it was a mistake.

Still, I couldn’t just fall, so I held myself upright and waited for both the dizziness and the weakness to cease. My legs were shaking trying to hold me up after so long, but I was able to hang in there, and after a few curses, a couple of countdowns and a self-pep talk, I felt like I might be able to let go of the death grip I had on the bed.

My room was one of the ones with a tiny bathroom attached, a novelty of the new hospital built in town, and I shuffled my way over, bringing my fluid packs with me. When I made it out again, I got almost all the way to the bed when the door opened, and Iturned to see Charlotte, who looked as shocked to see me as I did her.

“Jesse!”

“Charlotte!”

She put down a massive bag she had in each hand and ran over to me, wrapping her arms around me and squeezing, pressing her lips to mine. It was a little rougher than I expected, and there was pain involved, but I wasn’t going to complain. I had Charlotte’s lips against mine. I could fight the world.

When she pulled away, I saw Logan and Tamara coming in behind her, each also carrying massive red and white bags. They looked around the room, as if surprised to see it empty.

“What are you doing standing?” Charlotte asked.

I shrugged. “I got bored,” I said. “Everyone left, and I was here alone, and I wanted to see if I could make it to the bathroom. Guess what? I can.”

“I can see that,” she said. “Oh Jesse, I am so glad you’re doing so well. I was so worried. I’m still so worried, but this makes me feel so much better.”

“I feel much stronger,” I said. “My head is still… wobbly? But I feel a lot better. How did you get out of jail?”

Her lips pulled in on themselves in a comical expression, and I laughed.

“You know about that already, huh?” she asked.

“Yeah, I do,” I said. “How did that go for you?”

“Not bad, actually,” she said. “I was able to get some time to think about things.”

“Oh?”

“We will talk later,” she said. “For now, I brought food. Where is everyone?”

“I believe Luke and Amber are sleeping in whatever cot they have somewhere in the hospital. Collin went back home, andOwen headed there as well, I think, to take care of animals. Kevin and Sarah are probably at the ranch too.”

“I’m here,” a voice said from the doorway. I looked past her to see Flynn standing there, looking exhausted. “I’ve been here the whole time. Just been on the phone, handling some things. Namely postponing our next tour.”

“Ahh,” I said. “Sorry.”

“Would you like a sandwich?” Charlotte asked. “I brought plenty for everybody. Especially us.”

That last bit was quiet and private, just for me. I grinned. It was just like when she’d arrived at the hotel that night we spent together, only this time instead of a bottle of whisky, she had a couple six-packs of root beer, and the sandwiches looked like they were from Madie’s downtown rather than the fancy hotel restaurant downstairs at the Bethel.

Something told me she’d done that on purpose. A little nod that only I would understand.