Page 55 of No Going Back
No words had ever sounded better.
“I feel the same. We’ll be there in less than ten minutes.”
Once she wore Lia’s shirt, Sean helped Branna slide off the exam table. “Can I carry you to the car?”
Joe had returned to the diner and brought Sean’s truck to the back door. It would be warm and ready to go.
“I can walk.”
“You can do anything. Okay, if you get dizzy, let me know.”
She immediately wrapped one arm around him. “Let’s go before I fall apart.”
Shit. He needed to get her alone so she could fall apart without worrying about what anyone thought. He wrapped his own arm around her and took some of her weight. “You’ve got this. You’re a kick-ass Irish woman who doesn’t take shit from anyone.”
She huffed out a laugh as they moved through the door. Thankfully, no one was in the hallway. In the waiting room, only Joe and Lia waited. He’d worried there would be more people, more questions.
Lia held up a winter jacket. “I know it’s not far, but wrap this around you to keep out the chill. Don’t try to put your arm in the sleeve. I’ll pick it up tomorrow when I come out. Unless you call me, I’ll see you for lunch.”
Joe held open the door. “And we’re bringing lunch, so don’t worry about that.”
In only moments, they were in the car. He knew they’d have to talk to Marcus and the FBI agents who’d probably arrived by now, but he didn’t ask about them. They could wait until tomorrow.
Instead, he thanked Joe and Lia and headed for home. Because the farmhouse outside Phail had become home.
* * *
Branna mentally grabbed all of her emotions and slammed them into a bag. She closed it up and held on tightly. Like Lia said, they’d explode out of her if she didn’t deal with them, but she wasn’t doing that until she was safely home with Sean.
He wouldn’t judge her for falling apart. He’d hold her and let her cry. And if she had a huge, goofy dog cuddled up with her, too, it would be safe. “Poor Jabba’s got to be lonely.”
Sean nodded, his face highlighted in the light from the dashboard. “And hungry. Probably eating the furniture at this point.”
That made her smile. “Your work boots are made of leather, aren’t they? He might go for those.”
His expression lightened, and he grinned at her. “He might. You doing okay?”
“I’m okay. The roads aren’t bumpy. I’m mostly just achy and exhausted. The adrenaline’s gone, and I’m crashing.”
Sean nodded and kept his attention on the road. It didn’t take long before they were home. They could hear Jabba barking as soon as he shut off the engine.
Sean grimaced. “I’d like to get you inside quickly, but I think it’s safer if I let the beast out first. Then he won’t barrel us over as he’s rushing out.”
She wanted to hug their dog, but definitely didn’t need him knocking her down. “Good plan. I’m fine.”
“Stay inside the truck where it’s warm, and he won’t hurt you by mistake.”
She nodded and watched him climb the steps and let out the goofy dog, who spun in circles, trying to decide whether to greet Sean or find the nearest bush.
Sean came to her door and opened it, moving to stand right beside her. “There’s no one but us. Let me carry you in.”
When she hesitated, he reached out to touch her. “Please.” She nodded, and he leaned in to kiss her before reaching in and lifting her in his arms. She would never tire of feeling his arms around her. Comfort. Strength. Love?
She hoped so. It would be horrid to be the only one in love. But she wasn’t. She couldn’t be. The connection between them was too strong. He had to feel it, too.
Jabba raced over and jumped to put his paws on Branna. Sean blocked him with his body, but the dog leaned in and licked her face even as Sean mock-growled at him. “Out of the way, bud. The lady needs some rest.”
She reached one hand out to pat the dog. “Hey, Jabba. I missed you too.” He licked her again and then raced to the door to lead them in.