Page 43 of Healer’s Reckoning (The Healer’s #3)
Chapte r 43
Ava
I roll over in bed and notice the sun is high in the sky. I glance at Bryce’s side of the bed, but it’s empty. I sit up gingerly because my shoulder is still sore. I notice the pack of Ibuprofen and a cup of water on my nightstand and swallow down the pills. After climbing out of bed, I throw on the silk robe that’s lying next to my bed. I smell coffee and breakfast when I open the bedroom door, and my stomach growls loudly. I walk into the kitchen and take in the sight before me. Bryce is standing at the stove wearing just a pair of athletic shorts. I take in the strength of his body and wonder how in the world I got so lucky. This man that is so tender and good to me and yet so strong is mine. It’s incredible. He turns around and runs his eyes over me. “Hey, Gorgeous.” His voice is low and sexy. “Did you sleep well?”
I nod and step into his arms. He pulls me close, being careful not to touch my neck. “How’s your neck?”
“A little sore but not bad.”
“Did you get the pain pills I left for you?”
I nod. “I did. Thank you.”
He leans forward and kisses me leisurely, and I forget everything else. You are so amazing, he says through our bond. I don’t think I’ll ever get over being able to communicate this way with him. It took me a little bit to get the hang of it last night, but he was patient with me.
I love you, I send back.
I love you more. His kisses intensify. When he finally pulls back, he kisses me one last time and nods at the counter. “I made you an iced coffee.”
“Oh, thank you.” I pick it up and take a long drink. “That’s soo good. Thank you. What can I help you do?”
“Just eat with me.” We carry everything outside and eat in the morning sun. I’m pretty sure life couldn't get any more perfect. We eat for a few minutes in silence before I look over at him.
“I have something I need to tell you.”
His eyes meet mine. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I just...” I swallow nervously.
He reaches across the table and takes my hand. “Love, what is it? You don’t have to be nervous with me ever.”
I bite my lip. “I woke up during the night to go to the bathroom, and I was thinking.”
“Okay.”
“Well, when I went to the bathroom, I noticed...well...”
“Ava, Baby, what is it? Just tell me.”
He looks really worried, and that wasn’t my intention at all. “I think I’m ovulating.”
He doesn’t blink at my words. “Okay.”
I realize he doesn’t really get it. “I’m ovulating, and we had sex last night. Lots of sex.” He still doesn’t get it. Time to be blunt. “I could be pregnant after last night. We didn’t use protection. I'm really sorry. I didn’t even think about it.” I fall silent, waiting to see how he’s going to respond.
He gives me his gorgeous, perfect smile. “That’s what you’re worried about?”
“Well, it’s kind of a big deal.”
He takes my hand in his. “Ava, if we find out you’re pregnant, that would be the second greatest thing to ever happen to me.”
His words take me by surprise. “The second?”
“I’m looking at the first.”
Oh.
“If you’re pregnant, I will be the happiest man on the planet; but let’s not worry about it yet. How long before you know for sure?”
“I guess we will know in a few weeks if my period comes or not.”
“Okay.” He squeezes my hand and goes back to eating.
“Okay? That’s it?”
“That’s it,” he repeats easily. His relaxed manner makes me relax. I've been panicking about it. I take a breath, feeling relieved and begin eating. “You up to taking a trip for a few days?”
I look at him curiously. “What do you have in mind?”
He shrugs. “I want to show you Arizona. I want to take you to the Grand Canyon for sure and some other places.”
“Really?”
He grins. “Really.”
“I’ve always wanted to see the Grand Canyon.”
“It’s amazing; you’ll love it. I need to spend this next week getting caught up and then we can go, if that works for you.”
“Yes.”
It’s good to just be home for the next week. I get a chance to make a few meals and find out what Bryce likes. Spoiler alert: everything. He’s fun to cook for because he rants and raves over everything I make, even the sandwich I took over to the pack house yesterday for him because he didn’t make it home for lunch. I visit Brandon at least once a day, and Sherese is over at our house a lot. Well, until Bryce comes home and kicks her out because he wants time with me. I invited her to go with us on our trip because she’s always wanted to see the Grand Canyon, but she swiftly declined. Before I know it, it’s time to go.
“Ready?” Bryce asks as he comes back into the house after taking out a load. He stands in the doorway as I finish putting my clothes in alongside his. “You don’t need many clothes, Babe. They’re just going to come right back off.”
I shake my head. “I have to be dressed when we’re out in public.”
He concedes on that point. “Yeah, you do.” He snags me around the waist and pulls me into his arms. “Nobody sees this gorgeous body but me.”
“Which is exactly why I’m packing clothes.” He leans in for a kiss, but I evade him. “None of that, or we’ll never get out of here.”
“I’m not sure I want to get out of here.”
“Then we won’t get to our hotel tonight.” I pat him on the chest. “We will have plenty of time for all that tonight.”
“All what?” he asks with a sexy smirk.
I shake my head and grab my jacket out of his closet. “I’m ready, Handsome. Let’s do this.” Once we’re in the car, I take a sip of my iced coffee. “How far is it?”
“A little under four hours.”
I lean back against my seat and take in the scenery. It’s another gorgeous day in sunny Arizona. “I can’t believe we’re driving to the Grand Canyon today.”
He flashes a grin at me. “You’re going to love it.”
“I can’t believe that this is my life, that I live here now and we can just like...day trip to the Grand Canyon.”
He reaches over and takes my hand. “There are so many places I can’t wait to take you.”
The four hours are over in a flash. We spend the entire time talking and connecting. When we start to get close, I’m like a little kid. I want to see everything. We wait in line for a little while and then finally get access to the park. “I can’t believe we’re doing this!” I hold up my phone, ready for pictures. I don’t get to see nearly as much as I want while we’re driving, just glimpses here and there. Finally, we park. I’m out of the car first. “Come on,” I urge Bryce.
“I’m coming,” he says with a laugh. He snags my hand, and we join the group of people heading towards the lookout. When we get closer, I take a deep breath.
“I smell coffee.”
“They have a Starbucks in the gift shop.”
I turn that way. “That’s crazy.”
We walk closer, and then suddenly it opens up and I get my first view of the Grand Canyon. My legs stop suddenly, and I can’t move forward. Bryce stops beside me. “You good?”
“I don’t think I can get closer,” I whisper, suddenly rooted to my spot.
He frowns. “What’s wrong?”
I shake my head. “I don’t think I can go over there.”
“Don’t tell me you’re like six feet away, and you’re going to chicken out now.”
My legs are shaky. “Yep. That’s exactly what I’m telling you.”
He hides a smile. “Come on.” He tries to tug me forward. I go another step or two.
“I can’t get any closer, Bryce. There’s not even a wall; there’s barely a fence.” I didn’t realize until right in this moment that I’m terrified of heights, or maybe just this height. “I’m not going any closer, Bryce.”
Suddenly, I’m lifted off my feet. “Come on, Love.” I hang on to him for dear life, my arms clasped around his neck because I'm now riding his back...like a little kid.
“Put me down, Bryce,” I mutter against his shoulder.
He chuckles. “No. I’m not going to let you miss this.”
He walks closer, and I can’t stop the panic rising in my chest. “Don’t get closer.” He doesn’t. “Bryce!” I close my eyes and bury my head in his shoulder. I feel him stop walking.
C ome on, Love. Don’t miss this. Open those gorgeous eyes. I’ve got you; I promise. His words in my head give me the courage to at least try. It takes at least another two minutes to finally open my eyes. When I do, I immediately snap them shut. “Come on, Baby,” he murmurs quietly, running his thumbs along my thighs below my shorts. I finally give in and open my eyes. I hold on tighter but look out, careful not to look straight down. I can’t even speak; the sight takes my breath away. “Pretty amazing, isn’t it?” he asks quietly. We stand there for a few moments, just taking it in. Then he finally backs away, and I feel like I can take a full breath. When we’re a little distance away, he puts me down and holds my hand. “Let’s go inside; I want to show you something.” He takes me inside a large building and walks over to the huge windows overlooking the canyon. “Here, now you look down.” I still don’t get close, but I look out the windows and take it all in. After a while, he squeezes my hand. “Come on. Let’s get some tourist items.” We end up getting a few magnets and a ball cap for him and a t-shirt for me.
“Thank you,” I tell him as we walk slowly back to the car.
“You’re welcome,” he says squeezing my hand.
Like a total tourist, I slip off my shirt inside the car and pull on the Grand Canyon t-shirt. “Like it?” I ask with a grin.
“I love you.” He’s serious, and my heart tugs.
“I love you too, Bryce. Thank you for this, all of this. Really.”
He leans forward and captures my lips in a tender kiss. “We have so much to explore together, Ava. This is just the beginning.”
I smile as we continue driving through the canyon. We get out several more times, taking it all in. I can’t keep the smile off my face because for maybe the first time in my life, I’m excited for the future. I have my incredible mate at my side and my brother back in my life. I have friends, both old and new, and I have a pack and a life I’m eager to get to.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Bryce says as we prepare to leave the park behind.
I squeeze his hand that’s holding mine. “I was just realizing that I’m excited about the future for the first time in...maybe forever.”
He turns his head and meets my eyes. “Me too.” We drive through the gates, and I glance over my shoulder. I’m already looking forward to coming back. Okay ? he asks through our link.
I can’t keep the smile off my face; I couldn’t even if I tried. Okay .
Life with Bryce was going to be good. There were still battles to face; the war wasn’t over. But right now, in this moment, I had everything I needed...he was right beside me.