Page 38

Kate

Upon arrival at the hospital, Landon is immediately whisked off for scans and x-rays. A nurse takes me back to an exam room to assess the damage to my leg. While it’s getting stitched, my mom comes barging in. She looks frantic to set eyes on me. Rightfully so. I wouldn’t believe anyone’s word that my child was okay until I could see it for myself.

“Kate! Oh thank you, God!” Mom praises as she runs to my side. She almost pulls me into her arms but thinks better of it upon seeing the needle weave through my skin. She gulps and laces an arm around my shoulders, kissing the top of my head like mothers do best. I am thankful for numbing drugs. She smoothes the hair off my face, looking for a way to give me comfort and scanning for any missed injuries. She must have been so scared she’d never hold me again. Tears well in my eyes.

“I’ll be okay, Momma. Thank you for getting help. I know it was an impossible ask for you to leave me behind. You know you helped save us all.” She just nods, tears streaking her cheeks and pulls my head to her chest.

“Adam?” I ask softly, scared of the answer.

“I don’t know yet.” I hear her gulp again. “I called Lindsay. She’s on her way. He’s in surgery with a knife wound. That’s all they would tell me.”

“Landon?” she asks me.

I shake my head to indicate I’m not sure yet either.

“The cops told the paramedics that Bill said Landon got kicked down the staircase. He wasn’t awake when I got in the ambulance. A few minutes into the ride, he moaned and said my name, but I don’t think he was really aware of much.”

“He woke enough to speak. That’s better than nothing. We’ll take it.” She pats my hand.

?

I sit in the chair next to Landon’s bed, flipping through a magazine. It’s sometime around midmorning, and I’m still waiting for him to wake. The scans showed no hemorrhages or any crazy swelling. His spine was fine, too. All by the grace of God. They concluded he had a pretty good concussion, but he managed to not break any bones. He’s pretty bruised from the fighting, but overall, I don’t think I could’ve asked for a better outcome.

I hear an intake of breath like he’s coming to. When I look up, I’m greeted with gorgeous blue eyes already looking back at me. Heat stings my eyes at the emotion lodging in my throat. Landon smiles lopsidedly as best he can, wincing at what I imagine is a raging headache.

“Come here, baby.” His voice is full of gravel from just waking. He motions lightly with his fingers, beckoning me. I practically jump on the bed with relief that he is awake. Instead, I slow my movements so that I don’t hurt him or my smarting leg. We’re both okay.

I sit close beside him and pull his fingers to my lips, kissing them tenderly. He threads his other fingers through my hair and pulls my forehead to his. It’s such a gentle act, but it tugs on my heartstrings. I can tell he too is reveling in the fact that I’m safe and here with him. That we’re both alive.

“I was so scared for you when I fell.” He takes in a shuddery breath then looks up at me with eyes full of fear. “My dad? I heard his voice. Is he… okay? Adam?....Trevor?” He looks down and notices my leg in that moment. His eyes go misty, and he swallows hard.

I pat his chest to soothe his worry.

“Bill took a knife to the shoulder, saving both of us. He’s going to heal just fine.” Landon’s breath bursts from his lungs. I should have led with he’s okay.

“He used your shotgun to stop Trevor. Trevor made it to the hospital but passed early in the surgery. Adam made it through his surgery. He lost a lot of blood, and it was touch and go for a while, but he is going to be okay too. Mom’s with him now. Trevor admitted to killing Kristy.”

Landon just nods, soaking in all the information. There’s going to be so much to discuss about last night, but now is not the time. He pulls me to him, and we both shudder in each other’s arms with all the emotions: fear for what could’ve happened, relief for the outcome of our loved ones, sadness for Kristy’s family, and comfort in knowing this nightmare is finally over. He lifts my face and kisses me soft and slow, his thumbs swiping the tears from my cheeks.

“You know, Adam was right,” he says quietly, and I look at him confused.

“What’d he say?” I have no clue what he’s referring to.

“You don’t climb into a girl’s window for six years unless you’re one hundred percent certain that she’s it for you. You’re it for me, Kate. You’re everything. I will love you and protect you fiercely until I take my last breath. I was prepared to do that last night, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.” Tears continue streaming down my cheeks but for a different reason now.

“It doesn’t have to be now; I’d wait six more years for you, but please don’t make me.” We both chuckle a little, and he groans at the pain it causes, but he looks at me intently.

“Kate, I want my ring on your finger and to give you my last name. I want your belly filled with my growing child. I want a lifetime of memories and adventures with you. I want you now and always as my best friend, my lover, and my wife. I want it all with you.”

“Yes.” I smile through my tears, breathless from this man. His eyes glimmer with happiness as if he can’t quite believe he heard me correctly.

“I still want a proper on-your-knee proposal when you’re good and ready, but yes. I want that all with you too. No more waiting.”

A tiny strangled sound of joy leaves him as his hands capture my face on both sides. His mouth crushes against mine with a happy, wonder-filled kiss that reaches the outermost edges of my soul.

Our moment of bliss is interrupted by very unexpected visitors. Mason clears his throat as he walks into the room as if he owns it.

“Dude, you look like shit!”

Landon flips him off with a smile. Sarah hurries to the bedside to throw her arms around me.

“Gabe and Melissa are on their way too. Jameson was hitching a ride with them. You hanging in there?” She looks me over while comfortingly rubbing my arms.

I nod, overwhelmed with emotion from Landon and this wonderful group of friends we’ve made. I messaged them late last night to let them know what had happened. I never expected them all to show. Sarah leans in and gives Landon a light hug. That’s when I see it.

“What am I seeing right now?” I ask, beaming at my friend.

“Oh, you mean this?!” Sarah flashes her sparkly engagement ring in my face, and we both squeal and hug again. I congratulate her and skitter over to Mason to continue the congratulatory hugs.

“He did it yesterday afternoon. We didn’t get the chance to tell you guys with all the Kristy and Trevor crap going on. It just didn’t feel like the right time.”

“Mason, I told you she’d say yes. I’m so happy for you guys.” Landon sits up to give Mason a hearty clap on his shoulder and winces again in pain.

“Lemme see it closer! It’s so sparkly…”

“Dude, we lost them,” I hear Mason say as Sarah and I marvel at the bling. Landon laughs.

“Looks like I might need your help shopping.”

That gets Sarah’s attention. She looks up at me and over at Landon with an open gape. Mason just nods knowingly.

“Oh, he’s definitely still gonna have to get on his knees for me.” I blush and put my face in my hands, knowing I just walked into a load full of laughs. Mason barks one out, and Sarah snickers.

“Oh, most definitely,” Landon states, face full of mischief.

“You’re all assholes,” I giggle out, but damnit, I sure do love them all.