Page 44 of Saddled in Secrets (Cloverleaf Meadows #2)

I ’m dragged into consciousness through a long, dark tunnel.

My brain feels like a soggy sponge that can’t grasp more water.

Awareness fades in and out. Several bright lights are flashed in my eyes before I’m pulled under again.

Urgent whispers try to tickle my ears, but I can’t comprehend the words.

It’s a tender squeeze against my palm that finally yanks me free of the void.

My vision swims when I manage to stay lucid for more than five seconds.

Bianca is at my bedside. Her fern-green eyes are fastened onto my battle against lethargy.

The eager gleam in her gaze rouses me like a shock to my system.

But my smile still feels sluggish. “Hey, Princess.”

She immediately bursts into tears. “Y-you’re awake.”

“Why are you crying?” My throat is a coarse strip of sandpaper.

Her hand shakes when she offers me a spoonful of ice chips. “I’ve been so worried.”

Bricks weigh my limbs down onto the mattress, but I manage to turn slightly to see her clearer.

The blanket she crocheted for me is sprawled over my immobile form to deliver another dose of comfort.

A new hair tie is snug around my wrist to offset the hospital bracelet.

I could almost be convinced this is my happy place. Damn, these drugs are potent.

My thoughts struggle to stay on track, drifting in several directions. But the woman beside me is an anchor.

I squeeze her palm. “Should’ve known I could never leave you.”

Bianca rests her forehead on my arm. A choked sob rattles her frame. I try to move my left arm to the back of her head, but there are too many tubes attached.

“Look at me,” I rasp.

Watery misery instantly collides with my effort to concentrate. “I love you, Stalker.”

“Fuck, baby girl. C’mere.” I try to beckon her into the fold, but it’s a weak attempt.

She straightens, but doesn’t move. A stubborn pout sticks out her bottom lip. “Can’t. You’re hurt.”

“Just a scratch,” I scoff.

As if to contradict me, there’s a knock on the door. A man in hospital scrubs pokes his head in. He gives me a warm grin as if we’re friends.

“Ah-ha, the rumors are true. I heard you returned to the land of the living. I’m sure your wife is relieved.” His gaze moves to the woman beside me as if there was any doubt who falsified this claim.

“My wife,” I croon at Bianca.

“Oh, ummm… about that.” Her face is the color of a tomato.

“She hasn’t left your room. You’re in very good care, Mr. Keller.” The man pats his chest. “My name is Dr. Trustworth. I had the honor of stitching you up. Good to see you awake and alert.”

“Thanks, Doc.” But my focus hasn’t strayed from Bianca.

She wrinkles her nose, glancing down at her outfit that’s covered in my blood. “I should probably shower.”

“You should probably kiss me.”

Her eyes skitter off mine to peek at the doctor still hovering. “I don’t want to dislodge anything. Besides, I haven’t brushed my teeth.”

“Do you honestly think I care about your breath right now? You’re more beautiful than ever, Mrs. Keller. Get over here.” After a jerk of my head, she humors me with a soft peck.

Dr. What’s-His-Face hums. “Yes, she’s positively glowing. That happens to expectant mothers.”

There’s a screech in my tired brain. “Care to repeat that?”

His jaw drops. “Please don’t tell me I spilled the beans.”

Bianca is hanging her head, muttering under her breath about letting the cat out of the bag.

“Princess?” I clench her hand tight in mine. “Are you…?”

“I should probably take another test,” she mumbles.

“Allow me to order that for you. It’s the least I can do.” The doctor gets typing on his tablet. “In the meantime, I want to know how you’re feeling, Colton.”

It’s difficult to move on from the idea that Bianca could be pregnant with our baby. But if answering a few questions gets me alone with her sooner, I’ll pay the tax. I don’t look away from my wife—legal or not.

“My cousin shot me in the gut. How do you think that feels?”

I’m actually numb from whatever drugs they’re giving me. Except for my heart. That beats like a herd of wild horses for the woman next to me.

“At least he missed your vital organs,” Dr. Lingering Too Long muses.

“Silver linings do exist,” I grumble.

“Speaking of,” a woman I haven’t seen since she was a girl strolls into the room. “My brother is being hounded by the cops. I’m sure he’ll be caught in no time.”

My mouth moves soundlessly for several seconds. “Frankie?”

“Oh, good. The reunion I’ve been waiting for,” Bianca complains. But then she steels her spine. “Wait, you’re his cousin?”

I glance between the two women, landing on Bianca. “Who did you think she was?”

Her arm flings accusingly at Frankie. “She’s the ex-lover who tracked me down at the camp.”

“Oh, boy.” The doctor squirms as if uncomfortable. “Maybe I should give you some privacy.”

I offer him a shooing motion. “That’d be grand.”

He excuses himself as Frankie slinks deeper into the room. She parks herself against the wall. A silent conversation passes between her and my soon-to-be wife. It’s tense and uncomfortable, prickling across my skin like a challenge.

“What’re you doing here, Frankie?”

“Helped saved your life.” She inspects her black nails. “Walker went back on his word. You’re going to protect me if he ever comes looking.”

My mind spins. “I feel like I’m missing something.”

“Just keep me safe if my brother weasels his way out of trouble.” Frankie shifts her focus to stare at Bianca. “Did you tell him about the bun in your oven?”

“No,” she bites back. “Dr. Trustworth did the honors.”

“What a thunder stealer,” Frankie huffs.

Even my brain fog can connect the dots. “You’re pregnant, Princess?”

She cringes. “Maybe?”

“Did you show him the test?” Frankie taps her boot on the floor.

“Do I need to show you the exit?”

My cousin lifts her palms in surrender. “Hint taken. Just don’t forget our deal.”

Which is one more thing I’ll need to ask about. But for now, I’m focusing on a potential miracle. The door clicks shut with Frankie’s retreat. It’s just the two of us again. My heart thumps faster, trying to catch hers.

“How is this possible?” I use every ounce of weakened strength to reach Bianca’s torso.

She stands to make it easier for me. Her palm lays flat over mine. “Super sperm?”

Emotion wells inside of me like an overflowing river in spring. “We’re having a baby?”

“Would that make you happy?”

The hesitation in her voice furrows my brow. “Are you seriously questioning it?”

“We didn’t plan this.”

“Doesn’t mean I wasn’t hoping for it to happen with every far-fetched wish I could muster.”

Bianca sniffles, her eyes getting glassy again. “You mean it?”

“I can’t wait to watch you grow,” I murmur to her stomach. My gaze finds hers already on mine. “How did you know?”

“The heartburn,” she explains. “My mom always told us she only had it while pregnant. It’s what prompted her to take a test. While you were fighting for your life, the story clicked and it felt right. I wasn’t sure it could be true, but I guess she passed that down to me.”

My eyes burn with unshed tears. “Our baby is in there?”

“Yes,” she confirms.

“And you’re going to marry me?”

She laughs. “Eventually.”

“How about now? I bet there’s a pastor or preacher in the chapel.”

“We’re not getting married in a hospital.”

When she puts it that way, I can understand her resistance. “That’s fair. Climb up here and ride my face to celebrate our engagement.”

Bianca’s ass remains firmly planted on the chair. “I don’t recall you asking for my hand, Stalker.”

“You’re the one who skipped all the paperwork to pronounce us husband and wife.”

“For good reason,” she counters. “They’re sticklers for the rules around here.”

That sends my thoughts on a tangent. “Have you seen my jeans?”

Bianca points to a bag on the floor. “Not sure they’re salvageable. I’ll try to get the blood out.”

But I couldn’t care less about keeping them as a souvenir. “Can you check the front pocket?”

“Sure,” she mumbles and begins searching. Her whole body turns to stone when she finds what I’m looking for.

“Maybe it’s too soon, but I’ve been waiting years to get my ring on your finger.” I open my palm for the velvet box.

Bianca drops it like a hot potato. “How long have you been carrying this around?”

“Longer than I should admit.” I flip open the lid, flooding the drab room with radiance. My hand beckons for her left one. “Remember that I’m laid up after having surgery. Can’t get down on one knee, but getting shot deserves several sympathy points.”

“As if I’d say no,” she blubbers. “You got me more daisies.”

I pluck the diamond ring from the velvet pillow. “Do I even need to ask?”

Her wet lashes bat at my confidence. “I think you should.”

“Bianca Jane Benson,” I breathe. “You’re the love of my life. I knew it from the first moment I saw you. Will you make me the happiest man to walk this earth and agree to be my wife?”

She’s already nodding, fresh tears streaking down her cheeks.

“Tell me what I need to hear, Princess.”

“Yes!” Her voice is rubbed raw. “Yes, yes, yes. I can’t wait to marry you.”

“That’s my girl.” I tug her closer and slide the ring on her finger. “Now you’re really never getting rid of me.”

“Gonna hold you to that.” Bianca gingerly sits on the edge of my bed, mindful of the tubes and wires snaking from my body. Her diamonds sparkle when she wiggles her hand. “Well done, Stalker. This is stunning.”

We study the brilliance for a moment. A three-carat canary solitaire is surrounded by dozens of smaller pink diamonds in a halo formation. The design replicates her favorite flower. Six platinum daisies join together to make the band, each with a stud in the center.

“My wife better kiss me again.” I lift my chin.

She obliges, even adding a glide from her tongue. “My husband better get well soon so I can do a lot more than that.”

“Sit on my face,” I demand. It’s been a full day without her pussy in my mouth and I’m starving.

Bianca snorts a laugh. “Absolutely not. I’ll get kicked out and that’s not going to end well for either of us.”

I grunt. “Have they said how long I’m stuck in here?”

“Maybe a week? They tossed a ton of info at me.” She fans her eyes. “This has been a very emotional twenty-four hours.”

“And we’re stronger because of it.” My mouth slides against hers for a brief kiss. But then I’m reminded of something. “What about your back?”

She gives me a quizzical look. “What about it?”

“Can you handle the toll that pregnancy demands from your body? We need to talk to your orthopedist.”

Her blink is slow. “You’re worried about my scoliosis?”

“Yes.”

“You’re in the hospital after almost dying.”

“I’m fine.” But sleep is threatening to yank me under again.

“Massive understatement, Stalker.”

Dizziness makes the room spin and I grip onto her tighter. “Tell me you’ll make an appointment.”

She waves me off. “Don’t fret. Mom made sure to ask all the right questions when I was first diagnosed. I should have no issue carrying a baby to full term.”

“That’s my girl.” I lift her wrist to my lips, kissing her smooth skin. The motion is dipped in molasses. “Can you sleep with me? I’m getting drowsy.”

Bianca brushes her lips across my cheek. “I’ll be here when you wake up.”

“Promise?”

She nods against me. “No quit. Even when I smell like a dumpster fire.”

“You’re perfect,” I mumble.

“That’s the drugs taking,” Bianca teases. “If you need me, I’ll be in my bubble of chaos.”

“You have all your stuff?” My words are starting to slur.

“Mhmm, Paisley brought me everything I need. Clothes too. Now that you woke up, I’m going to shower and change.”

“Paisley is here?”

She nods. “Dad and Brody too. They’d love to see you when you’re ready. Tomorrow or the next day, they’ll take the trailer and horses back to Keller’s Keep. That’s where we’ll stay until you’ve completely recovered.”

I fight the exhaustion for another moment. “They drove all this way for me?”

“Of course,” she scoffs. “We’re family.”

And with that knowledge, I allow myself to drift off with a smile on my face.