Their Divine Doctor(Divine Creek Ranch 9)(53)
Duke and Gage both sprang from their seats when one of the ER nurses called Duke’s name. Duke’s heart was in his throat as he approached her. The nurse told them that Emma had already been rushed to emergency surgery.
Chapter Thirteen
Emma laughed softly as Duke’s sexy, deep voice echoed from the hospital room doorway. “Trick or treat.”
“Are you here to trick me or treat me?”
“Treat you, of course,” Gage replied as he followed Duke into the room. The temperature outside must have turned chillier because they were both clad in sweaters and jackets. Gage even wore a stocking cap, which he removed before he kissed her. Emma smiled from Gage to Duke as he bent and kissed her also.
She felt very blessed as she gazed at her men, now that she knew how easily she could have lost them. They’d had to revive her twice on the operating table, but she’d pulled through.
Almost two weeks in the hospital had done wonders in how she felt, and she was waiting impatiently for word on when she could leave. The staff had hovered over her a lot, especially in the beginning, but the attention and inactivity was driving her nuts.
Duke said, “We brought you something.” He placed a handled bag on the bed next to her. She smiled when she saw the store name and slogan on the bag. Discretion…we put the risk in risqué.
“Oh, what did you get me?”
Gage grinned like he had good news for her. “We got you something that you can wear home…today.”
Emma sighed in thankfulness that she didn’t have to spend another night in the hospital. She had received excellent care while she was there, but doctors made the absolute worst patients. She was sick of being hovered over and told what to do. When to eat. When to pee. They treated her like she was made of glass. She knew it was out of affection, but it was driving her crazy. “That is wonderful news.”
“But…” Duke began.
“But what?”
“You’re coming home with us, angel,” Duke said firmly. “We can’t stand for it to be any other way. We almost lost you.”
“Twice,” Gage cajolingly added. “Open your gift and say you’ll come home with us.”
She could’ve argued, laying claim to her right to independence, but Emma remembered the depression and loneliness she’d felt while unpacking after their tree-camping vacation, right before she’d been accosted by Amy Patterson. She could accuse Duke of being pushy, but the truth was she couldn’t imagine anywhere else she’d rather be. Her freedom and independence were pretty empty if she enjoyed them alone in her cold apartment.
“You’re going to get sick of my compulsive neatness.”
Duke scoffed and replied, “Once you’re up and out of bed, you and Gage can compete for the title of Neat Freak.”
Emma chuckled and dumped the luxuriant bundle of black lace from the bag. She lifted the first piece and realized it was a full-length, silky-soft lace robe.
Moaning in delight, she brushed the black lace against her cheek and said, “It’s gorgeous.” The other bundle was a matching long, black lace halter gown that had a split on one side all the way up to the hip. “My goodness! This must have cost a mint.” It didn’t escape Emma’s notice that they’d made sure to buy a style that would de-emphasize the healing incision over her breastbone.
“It was worth it,” Duke replied. “We can’t wait to see it on you.”
Emma held the gown up in front of her face and smiled at her handsome men, who were clearly visible through the fine lace. “I can’t wear this home. Everyone will be able to see my goodies.”
Both men chuckled, and Duke placed another, larger shopping bag on her lap. “That’s what these are for.”
Emma peered in the bag, saw her jammies, and squealed in delight. “How did you know?”
Duke replied, “We remembered that you wore them a few weeks ago when you came upstairs. You said something about them being the equivalent of comfort food, but in clothing. We probably should’ve brought them before now.”
Emma hugged her bunny slippers and her SpongeBob SquarePants jammies gently to her chest. Not only had she required surgery for the bullet wound, they’d had to perform emergency open-heart surgery on her, which was why her stay in the hospital had been prolonged. In all, she was lucky to be alive and only a little worse for the wear. Fortunately, she also had a new lease on life. Her men and their bucket list had better hold on for dear life.
Gage kissed Emma’s forehead and said, “Duke is going to help you get ready to leave and I’ll start carrying your massive collection of flower arrangements down to the truck.”