Texas Heroes_ Volume 1(194)

“You really like her, don’t you?”

Dev nodded. “I like all of them, but Maddie especially. I just didn’t register at the time that the reason was that she reminded me of you.”

A tiny flare of joy lit within her. Maybe there was hope for them. “I’m frightened, Dev, but I want to do this.”

His eyes…some kind of strong emotion peered out at her from them. There was so much left for them to deal with, and she didn’t know how to handle any of it.

“Shh,” he said. “I can see that brain clicking again. You’ll be fine,” he said, misunderstanding her worries. “You’ll like them, too, I promise.”

Her discussion with Dev should probably wait until after she filled in this huge hole in her past. “How soon can I leave here?”

“They’d be happy to come to the hospital.”

“But I’m not meeting them in my old nightgown, Dev. Let’s talk to the nurses. Doctor Byrne said I could go home when I was ready. Then Maddie and the others can come to my house, or I can go to them, whatever they prefer.”

“Don’t push yourself too hard. Maybe you should stay another night or two.”

“I’m ready to go home.”

Dev’s brows pulled together. “We’ll see what the doctor says. You don’t have any clothes to leave in unless I bring them.”

Then he walked out the door, infuriating and far too bossy.

And then Lacey smiled. Bossy and domineering, yes.

But at last…not remote.



A few hours later, Lacey was home, showered and dressed after changing her clothes four times. She paced her bedroom, then darted back for one more look in the mirror.

Maybe not this long white knit sheath. Maybe the red sundress…

The same man who had picked her locks, knocked at the door now. “You decent?”

She gnawed on her thumbnail. “Decent but dressed wrong.”

He pushed the door open, then whistled softly. “You look beautiful to me.” In his eyes she saw memories of that night…their night of magic.

She touched her fingers to her lips and wondered if they’d ever find their way back to that magic place.

“Stop worrying,” he said softly. “Remember what the doctor said. No pressure on yourself.” He crossed the room and held her shoulders. “There’s no pressure from anyone else who’s going to be here. Maddie cried when I called her, she was so happy.”

“She did?” Lacey studied his eyes carefully.

He nodded. “She wants to love you, Lacey. That’s all she wants. She’s been alone before, too.”

The doorbell rang, and Lacey’s stomach gave a twist.

“Deep breath,” Dev urged. “Then blow it all out in a gust. It’ll relax you.”

She tried to comply, but she could only manage a small, gulping breath.

Dev pulled her close and kissed her forehead. “It’s going to be fine. And I’ll be right here.”

She tried not to read too much into it, but she was so very grateful. Her Margaret DeMille aplomb had utterly deserted her. “Thank you,” she whispered.

He kept her hand in his as he walked her toward the door.

Lacey walked beside him, frozen in fear and hope.

Dev felt how tightly Lacey was wound and knew a moment of real fear. There was too much on the line. If he was wrong and she hated the Gallaghers, everything she’d been through would be for nothing. Whatever tiny hope he might still harbor for a future with her would be out of the question because he would forever be a reminder of all that she had lost.

He knew Lacey well enough now to see that she couldn’t go back to her old life, no matter how much she might wish for it. He didn’t know how she would ever forgive him if this was a bust.

A part of him still wanted her to love the Gallaghers simply to make Charles DeMille suffer for all that his arrogance had inflicted on others. Another part of him recognized that what he’d been through had made Dev the man he was. He was strong, and he was a survivor. DeMille couldn’t matter.

It was Lacey who was at risk now.

Lacey…and his own beat-up heart.

So close…they’d come so close to the dream he’d buried for years. But if they couldn’t make it past this hurdle…if Lacey couldn’t accept her past, he would forever be a reminder of pain, and whatever chance they might have would be finished.

So he tried not to think, and he opened the door.

She let go and stood behind him like a statue. He wanted to touch her so badly. Wanted to pull her into his arms and shield her.

But she only needed protection from her own fears. And from him. It wasn’t these people who had hurt her.

“Dev!” Maddie bounded through the door and threw her arms around him. “Oh, Dev…” Her eyes were bright and filled with tears as she spotted her sister.