Page 28 of Hearts Under Fire

Alexis’s nurse turned to Kate, and nodded at her. “Keep your eye on her. She should be okay to eat. I’m not anticipating any problems, but if she doesn’t react well to the anesthesia, she may get sick and throw up. No way to know.”

A slurred response came from Alexis's bed. “I’m not a little puss--.” She coughed. “Sorry. I mean, I’m not gonna get sick. Just a little of the good stuff. Never hurt nobody.”

Kate laughed. “What did you give her?”

The nurse grimaced and chuckled. “Morphine. They wanted to give her Ketamine, but before she went into surgery she woke up and said something like, ‘Don’t give me that ketamine shit. I don’t need a trip to see my ancestors again so soon.’”

Laughter burst from Kate’s chest. “That sounds like something she’d say.”

There was a grumbled response from Alexis’s bed, but it wasn’t an actual sentence, so the nurse shrugged, turned on her heel, and left. Kate dropped her feet to the floor and crept the few feet between them. She lifted herself onto Alexis’ bed to sit at the foot, tucking her legs underneath her. She grabbed one of Alexis's ankles to anchor herself and to have tangible proof that she was warm, alive, and breathing.

Kate groaned as tears threatened to spill again and looked up with tears swimming in her eyes to see Alexis’s piercing blue eyes studying her. Alexis tried to sit up, wincing in pain, and Kate scooted down the bed toward her, filling the space Alexis left as she shifted to give Kate more room.

Alexis’s good hand rested on the bed, and Kate reached out and took it into hers. She lifted it to her mouth and kissed the back of her hand and her tears spilled over. Kate tucked her chin to her chest and hid her face behind Alexis’s hand. Kate wasn’t sure if she could ever let it go.

“Come on, don’t cry. Not for me.” Alexis’s words were still a bit muddy, indicating her pain meds were still working.

“I can’t help it. We almost died.Youalmost died. I almost lost you.” She choked off at the last word, unable to continue.

“But you didn’t, Kate. I’m still here.”

Alexis freed her hand from Kate and swiped away her tears with her thumbs.

“I’m scared. I’ve been scared of getting attached, Alexis. But when I saw you in the helicopter fighting for your life, I realized that I’m more afraid of losing you, that we’ll never have our chance.”

The adjustable bed had a button to raise the head so Alexis could sit up, and she raised it slowly, pulling herself into a sitting position.

“Come here,” Alexis commanded.

Kate tried to say no, but Alexis wrapped her arm around Kate’s waist with her free hand and pulled her toward her lap. Afraid she’d hurt Alexis by leaning on her wound, Kate relented and sat in Alexis’s lap, leaning toward her good side.

“Tell me again.”

At first Kate didn’t know what she meant, but after a beat, she realized Alexis wanted her to admit she loved her.

Kate raised her hands to cup her face and drew her close, their eyes locked.

“I’m fucking scared. I’m pretty certain I’m in love with you, and it terrifies me. But I think if we don’t try, it would be the worst mistake of our lives.”

Her arm pulled Kate closer, and Kate crossed the last two inches between them and took Alexis’s lips with her own.

“You didn’t leave,” Alexis said, her voice shaking.

Confusion rolled through Kate. “What?”

“You didn’t leave me in the desert when I asked you to, Kate.”

Kate drew back, the words throwing her off balance.

“No. I didn’t. I wouldn’t, and I never will. You’re kind of stuck with me now.”

Kate didn’t expect the tears that rolled down Alexis’s face.

“I’ve had everyone I’ve ever loved taken from me. Watching you refuse to leave made me realize that I can’t keep you at adistance. I don’t want to keep things casual or just be friends. I love you, Kate.”

She swiped at Alexis’s tears. “Don’t cry. It’s okay. I know.”

Her head shook, eyes pinched shut, tears rolling down her cheeks, she rested her forehead against Kate’s chest. “I’ve never done this before. I’ve never felt like this or wanted to be someone’s person. But I want it with you. I don’t know what to do, but I’ll do anything I can to convince you that we work.”