She nodded. “Thank you.”
“For?”
“You did what I asked, and for that I’ll be eternally grateful.”
“He’ll come around to it, and he will eventually appreciate your decision.”
“I hope so.” She clasped her hands together.
“Are you willing to lie down now?”
She shook her head. “I said I’d agree to stay warm, but I don’t want to get in bed. I can’t.”
“Want to sit downstairs instead?”
She didn’t reply at first, and I wondered if she was waiting for a third option. One involving her going outside to see Gage, which wasn’t an option she was going to get. “I’d prefer that.”
“That’s fine.” I took her much smaller hand in mine. Her hand was cold, just like the rest of her. “I know it’s been an overwhelming day for you, and you need to rest. But I also understand that you don’t want to sleep.”
We walked down the stairs without talking. There were so many things I wanted to say, and so many questions to ask, but this wasn’t the time for it.
I waited for her to take a seat on the couch before covering her up with a blanket. I stoked the fire, making sure it wouldn’t die out.
“Thank you.” She wrapped the blanket around her.
“You’re welcome.” I slipped under the blanket next to her. I needed to help keep her warm, at least that’s the excuse I was going to give her if she asked why I was sitting so close. The truth was I needed her close. I didn’t want to tell her what changing Gage had taken from me. I’d be fine eventually, but right now the only thing that was going to help was having her next to me.
“Why is your heart beating faster?” She turned to look at me.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s beating faster than usual. It sounds like it’s going to beat right out of your chest.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“That just makes me worry more.”
“I’m glad you’re worrying about me at all.” I gazed into her eyes.
She gripped the blanket tightly in her fist. “What don’t I know? What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing.”
“Why are you lying to me?”
“I’m not lying. I’m just trying to keep some weight off you.”
“I don’t believe you.”
The front door opened and Chet walked in.
“Tell me,” she begged. “I need to know.”
“There’s nothing to worry about.”
“Tell her, Hunter. Tell her what you gave to save the ungrateful bastard.”
I glared at Chet. I’d finally gotten Mary Anne to calm down, now wasn’t the time to upset her more.
“What’s he talking about?” She put a hand on my shoulder. “Is it related to your heart?”
The feel of her hand on me even through my t-shirt sent a wave of excitement through me. It was all worth it. Anything and everything was worth it to have her. “I’m fine, but as I said before I do appreciate the concern.”
She didn’t move her hand. “Are you sure?”
“Would it matter if I wasn’t ok?” Maybe it wasn’t fair to ask her, but the answer seemed to matter more than ever.
“Yes.” She grazed her teeth over her lip. Was that a nervous gesture? I needed to learn all of her tells. There was so much I still didn’t know about the girl who I’d claimed as my mate, but I had a lifetime to learn every little detail.
I smiled for the first time since I’d returned to find Mary Anne missing. “That means you care about me.”
She pulled her hand away. “It means I’m not heartless, and I appreciate what you did.”
“No.” I shook my head. “It means you care.” I needed her to admit that she had feelings for me.
“I don’t want anyone else getting hurt.”
“I’ll be fine.” I put an arm around her.
“Be fine? That implies you’re not fine now.”
“Just tell her, Hunter.” Chet snapped.
“Enough. Please leave us.” That was all I needed to say. Chet nodded and walked back out the way he came. I understood what he was doing, but I didn’t need him getting involved.
Mary Anne stared into the fire. “How old are you?”
“You suddenly worried I’m too old for you?” I laughed.
She turned to me. “Does that matter? I mean I no longer have any say.”
“I’m twenty-three.”
“Oh. I thought you were older.”
“I guess I haven’t aged well.”
“That’s not what I mean. You just seem older.”
“I guess you don’t have to worry about me being too old for you then, huh?”