Saving Us(67)

“I’m tough.”

Karen and I laughed. “We know.”

“Had to fight…” We could tell he was weak. “Had to save you…”

I leaned over and kissed him. “It’s over Conner. He can never hurt us again.”

He squeezed my hand. “My Blaze.”

I nodded. “Yes, I’m all yours.”



Chapter 32

Conner



I hated hospitals.

Amy ended up staying with me overnight. She refused to leave my side.

My mother finally forced her to go home and rest, knowing she needed it more than me. Amy had been through hell and back. She’d not only shot a man to survive, but it had taken a mental toll on her. I knew she was blaming herself for what happened to me. I heard her saying it when she thought I was sleeping.

Still, she stayed by my side until the day I was released to go home. Amy didn’t know it, but while my family had her help them plan a welcome home party for me, it was really a surprise shower for her. The best part of the surprise was that my sister and Ty were there, as well as her father. She cried more when she saw them.

Randa must have been a nervous wreck over what happened. She was too far away to do anything and Ty was shorthanded on the farm since I hadn’t been there. They had brought the kids with them and I couldn’t believe how big the boys had gotten.

After all of the hugs, everyone gathered around Amy to watch her open all of her gifts. Ty and Colt finally pulled me to the side. “I know the timing is bad, but I need to know what your future plans are. Do you still want to build the house in North Carolina?” Ty’s question was necessary. He needed the manpower, so if I wasn’t planning on going back, he needed to hire someone to fill my shoes.

Of course, Colt was wondering the same thing. With me being back in Kentucky, he was able to spend extra time at home with his wife and kids. I knew he was getting used to that.

I couldn’t base my decision on them. It had to be what was best for Amy and our child too. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to Amy about it. It’s not a decision that I can just make myself anymore. I have to do what’s best for my family now.”

Ty smacked me in the shoulder. “Look at you, being all responsible and shit.”

“Be gentle, unlike your pussy ass, I actually took a bullet.” Colt started laughing, while Ty just looked defeated. “Aww, what’s wrong? Did I hurt your feelin’s?”

“No, I was just thinking maybe I should go out and shoot myself twice. That way I don’t have to hear your shit for the rest of our lives.” I couldn’t think of a comeback for that.

Colt laughed again and put his arm around me. He handed me a beer. “I think you win the title for bein’ the toughest. Unlike dipshit over there, I am okay with it. There ain’t no way I would shoot myself for a label. Damn fool!”

Ty flipped him the bird and walked away.

“Colt, thanks for bein’ great to Amy during everything. I know I haven’t had a chance to say it.”

“No need to thank me, cuz. You would have done the same for me. I remember when my father passed. You drove everyone around and never complained.” I never said a word because I felt like I was losing my father all over again. Uncle Mitch had been my only father figure. When he took that fall and ended up losing his life, we were all devastated.

“Colt, I need to know somethin’. If we decided to move to North Carolina, is there goin’ to be any hard feelin’s? I’ve got to be honest when I say that it meant a lot to be so close to Randa. We’ve always been together and as much as I love bein’ home, I’m starting to feel like that’s where I want to raise my children.”

“Children?” He caught on to my comment.

“Well, yeah. I’d like to have a couple. You and Ty seem real happy with your children. Van is due any day with your third. I think two would a good round number.”

Colt shook his head at me. “It amazes me how you’ve changed in so many ways, but also somehow managed to stay the same. You’re right though, the kids are great. Noah has become such a big help. He loves his sister and he’ll love the next one too. Savanna is a good mother. I think that really helps. She’s so good with the children too. She’s got way more patience than I have. That woman can handle a bucket of paint falling down a set of stairs.”

“You still seem real happy.”

Colt looked over at Van, who was handing Amy another gift to open. “I don’t remember a time where I didn’t love that woman. She was worth the fight and if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Just look at all that she’s given me. She fits into our family like she’s always belonged.”