“I love and care about you. Do you want me to phone your mom or dad?”
Of all the things she wanted to hear, his feelings weren’t one of them. “No. You don’t love me. You made that abundantly clear.”
“When I was an asshole. I love you, Sandy. When I’m done you’re going to believe it too.”
He left before she had chance to argue. The doctors thought it a brilliant idea. His family sided with their son.
The following day, he stood behind her wheelchair and then helped her into the car. Even though a part of her wanted to shout about the unfairness of it all, another small part was positively preening in her chair. The man she loved had gone from a jealous nut into a perfect, caring boyfriend.
At times, she missed the jealous nut.
Chapter Seventeen
Sandy lay in Neal’s bed with her breakfast to the side. She’d been in his house as a guest for a week and couldn’t find a single fault. His attitude toward her had changed completely. She stared at the ceiling, wrestling with herself. Her life would be a lot easier if she could hate him.
Luke paid her visits. Her sister stopped by to make sure she was okay. The Haney family each made turns keeping her company, Cheyenne being the most in residence. She saw the younger woman enjoyed the responsibility.
“You don’t have to take care of me,” she said one day as Cheyenne fussed about her.
“I know. It’s nice doing for someone else for a change.”
After the confession, she’d enjoyed the friendly company more.
Bathing was the worst. Being near Neal in any way disarmed her defenses. When he held her naked in the shower so she wouldn’t get her leg wet, her body plastered against his, she weakened with every wash. He dried her body and combed her hair.
The only real fault she could find was with his cooking. He couldn’t make a descent meal for anything. He even managed to burn toast. Eggs were either burnt or runny.
Thankfully, his mom stopped by to feed her.
He helped her with her exercises when he got back from the ranch. She missed him through the day. She found herself daydreaming about a life as his wife. He’d go off and work on the ranch while she cooked and cleaned. Looked after their babies. They’d have five babies. All girls.
Everything would be perfect.
“What are you daydreaming about?” Neal asked as he walked into the room. She jumped. She felt a flush rush to her face.
“Nothing.”
“Really. From that blush I’d say it was something.”
“No. I’m fine.”
“Mom sent you over some chicken soup. I cut the bread myself.” He laid the tray across her lap. Like every meal before he sat opposite her.
His legs bounced. He kept looking at her, then at the tray.
She spooned the delicious tasting soup into her mouth. The heady taste of chicken made her mouth water for more.
“I’ve got to get the recipe off your mother. She makes the best soup in town.”
“She’s waiting for you to get better so she can have more company in the kitchen.”
Smiling, she took some bread and dipped it into her bowl, taking her time to enjoy the meal.
“Do you have anywhere else to be?” she asked when the leg jumping started to get on her nerves.
“No.”
“Then what’s with the dancing knee?”
“Finish your soup,” he said.
His voice commanded respect. She found her body responding to his tone. The dominant was back and she liked it. With her leg on the mend she wouldn’t be able to do much, but that didn’t mean she didn’t want to.#p#分页标题#e#
“I wanted to say thank you for bringing me here,” she said.
“You’re welcome. Eat your soup.”
When she got half way down the bowl. Neal moved closer to her on the bed. “I’ve been thinking a lot lately, about us. I love you, Sandy. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You’re my forever.”
She started to reply, but Neal pushed the spoon back to her mouth.
“Keep eating.”
On the last few spoonfuls, she heard a clinking sound in the bottom of her bowl. As she took the last mouthful, she saw a ring lying in the bottom of the bowl.
“I know I’ve said some stupid things. I can’t say anything to make up for the way I’ve treated you. What I can say is, you own my heart, Sandy. You own me. Not a day goes by where I don’t think about you. I want you every second of every day.”
“That’s a lot of every’s in there.”
“I want to grow old with you. To see you pregnant with my child. I want to hold you and know there is no other place in the world you’d rather be. I’m not like Luke—carefree and easy going. If you say yes, I want this to be forever but most importantly, I want you to be mine.”