Page 53 of Wrecked for Love (Buffaloberry Hill #1)
ELIA
I was never the type who slept well. Ranchers—our body clocks were designed for long days and short nights.
But somehow, being away from the ranch and lying in this narrow bed surrounded by the hum of machines, I actually got a full night’s rest. I knew, though, it wasn’t the bed, the place, or even the beeps keeping me company. It was her.
“Good morning,” Claire said. She’d clearly been awake for a while—her eyes bright, and her hair swept back into a neat ponytail. She kissed me, her lips lingering.
“You look refreshed,” I said.
She smiled. “That’s my line!” With a playful touch, she brushed her fingers through my hair. “How are you feeling?”
“Better. A lot better,” I said. “Hey, you heard from Log about Bobo?”
“Yeah. The husky is with him. Though apparently, their relationship is still cold.”
“Cold is better than overheated. Well, for Log’s sake, anyway.”
We chuckled.
“Hey, do you mind if I pop out to grab some coffee?” she asked, a hint of guilt in her voice.
“Sweetheart! Of course. You’ve been here all night and morning.”
“I didn’t want to leave you.” Her hand caressed the length of my arm. Even through the bandage, I felt her touch.
“Go get your coffee,” I urged.
She hesitated, then smiled before quietly slipping out of the room.
A moment later, the door opened again. But it wasn’t her.
I blinked, and it was like the past had swung back into town, dust on its boots and all.
Noah stood there—taller, broader, and the kind of man who turned heads without trying. Not the scrappy kid I still pictured in my head, the one who used to trail after me and Tessa with a grin too big for his face. No, this was a man. One hell of a handsome one.
“Noah?” I muttered, my voice raw with disbelief.
“El…” He stood there, stock-still, like a spooked colt caught between running away and bolting toward me. Then, in an instant, he moved, closing the distance, his eyes wide with worry. “El…damn it…what the hell happened to you?”
I didn’t answer. Couldn’t. The years between us felt too heavy to sum up in words. But inside, I thought— love, Noah . Love happened to me.
“El…Jesus. Your face! Your hands!” he quavered, like he couldn’t believe it was really me.
I managed a chuckle, though it hurt. “Good thing you didn’t stop by yesterday.”
Noah reached out, his hand hovering uncertainly over the bandages wrapped around my hands. He looked like he wanted to hug me but wasn’t sure if I could take it. “It’s…it’s good to see you again, El.”
“Good to see you too,” I said, my voice rough but sincere. “And thanks for the flowers, I guess?”
He tensed, awkwardly holding up the bouquet. “Yeah, um…not for you, though,” he mumbled. “They’re for your, uh…girlfriend.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You met her?”
“Yeah. I mean, oh, shit!” He groaned, slumping into the chair beside my bed. “Flowers for my brother’s girlfriend. That sounds creepy, right? And I didn’t even ask you if it was cool.”
I smirked. “Hey, it’s fine.”
Noah ran a hand through his hair, looking like he wanted to crawl into a hole. “Just to be clear, I don’t have a thing for her or anything. She and I…had a bit of a fiery exchange yesterday. Pretty sure she thought I was some kind of hitman or something.”
I almost laughed but quickly regretted it when a sharp ache shot through my side. “Careful, man. No jokes.”
Noah winced, his concern deepening. “Right…sorry. Just…don’t laugh, okay?”
I raised an eyebrow. “What exactly did she do to you?” I could picture Claire slipping right into protector mode, probably thinking she was guarding me from an intruder.
Noah grinned, shaking his head. “She wouldn’t let me get anywhere near you, that’s what. Like a damn Cerberus.”
I almost laughed but couldn’t resist reminding him, “Hey, she’s my girlfriend, not a guard dog.”
Noah’s eyes widened. “No, I didn’t mean it like that. She was just…fierce. But in fairness, I wasn’t exactly nice either. Figured flowers might help. Think they’ll work?”
I glanced at the mix of lilies, daisies, and other cheerful blooms. “Yeah, she’ll love them.”
“Good, good,” he muttered, his eyes lingering on the flowers like he was marveling at his own handiwork. “Where’d you find her? She was like?—”
“A chili pepper?” I finished for him, grinning.
Noah burst out laughing. “Yeah, exactly. Wouldn’t want to get on her bad side.”
“That’s Claire, Noah. You’d better get used to it because she’s sticking around.”
Noah’s smile softened, the playfulness in his tone giving way to something real. “The married-to-the-Moose Elia Lucas, finally tamed. I’m glad. Really, El…it’s good to see you, brother.”
The word “brother” hit me hard, and for a moment, I couldn’t respond. The last time we spoke, things ended badly. He didn’t want anything to do with Dad or me. He’d just…left. But now, standing here, he’d grown. And not just older—he’d grown up.
Noah exhaled. “I knew you called me. However you got that number.”
I’d figured as much. But I let him go on.
“My friend picked up and didn’t give my name away. She knew better,” he revealed. “Look, I’ve thought about you. I never called you back because I didn’t want to have to explain myself. But I did talk to Log. I asked about you.”
“Huh. So you trusted your brother’s best friend more than your own brother?”
Noah shrugged. “Something like that.”
I let out a breath. “However it happened, Noah, I’m glad you’re here.”
“Logan called me a couple of days ago and told me you were in bad shape. I came back to Buffaloberry as fast as I could.”
I blinked, touched by his sincerity. “Where’ve you been?”
“Everywhere.” Noah gave a faint smile. “But this time, I flew in from Salt Lake.”
The door creaked open, and Claire stepped inside. “Oh! You’re back,” she said, her voice carrying a mix of surprise and caution as her eyes flicked between us, silently gauging if I really wanted Noah here.
Noah stood up, offering her the bouquet. “I’m sorry about yesterday. I’m Noah, Elia’s brother.”
Claire’s expression softened as she accepted the flowers. “Noah?” She stepped toward him. “I’m Claire.” She welcomed him with open arms, and they shared a brief but polite hug.
“I really am sorry. I wasn’t exactly friendly yesterday.”
“Apology accepted,” she said, her tone light and genuine.
The three of us fell into easy conversation, exchanging small talk.
Noah asked about how the ranch was holding up, and even made Claire laugh with some teasing remark about how she probably had me wrapped around her finger already.
I noticed how Claire’s hand slid to her belly, and we shared a look.
The doctor had made it official last night, confirming the pregnancy.
I turned to her, a silent question in my eyes. “Can I tell him?” I asked.
Claire’s face lit up, and she nodded enthusiastically.
“Noah,” I said, turning back to my brother, “we’re pregnant.”
Noah blinked, the news taking a second to land. “You’re kidding me.” His voice cracked with emotion.
I shook my head, a grin stretching across my face. “No joke, Noah. You’re gonna be an uncle.”
Noah’s eyes glistened. Without a word, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me—lightly. But it felt like the biggest, most overdue embrace in the world. Everything unspoken between us was coming back together.
“Tell me you’re staying for Christmas,” I said, unable to hide the hope in my voice.
“If I’m welcome,” he said, glancing between me and Claire.
“Since when are you not welcome at The Lazy Moose?” I shot back, jabbing his arm with my bandaged hand, while Claire beamed beside me, practically bouncing with excitement.
“Careful there! You’re not exactly ready for a boxing match,” Noah teased, grinning like he finally had the upper hand.
I smirked. “Don’t worry, I’m saving it for next time.”
Noah raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, well, maybe try not to punch a bull this time.”
We both laughed, and even the nurse who came in to check my vitals seemed surprised by how lighthearted the room was.
This wasn’t about me being a patient anymore, and it wasn’t just another reunion.
This was family finding its way back together, like the missing pieces were finally clicking into place, just in time for the holidays.