Page 47 of Steal My Heart
“You fell?” he asked.
“Yes,” she breathed. “I didn’t break anything, but when I sat up I felt dizzy, so I lay back down and must have fallen asleep. Help me up.”
“Do you think that’s a good idea? Maybe I should call an ambulance.” His heart pounded. He didn’t want her hurt.
“I’m okay. Just help me up.” She sat up, and Brian helped her to her feet. She sat on the side of the bed, breathing deeply, the dogs both jumping up to make sure she was okay. “I didn’t break anything, and I didn’t hit my head. I was just a little dizzy and figured you’d be home soon enough.” He got her settled on the bed and called Hilliard. Once he explained what happened, he was there within what seemed like seconds.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Hilliard asked her, and then asked Gran basic questions.
“I’m fine. I know what year it is and where I am. I just fell down and felt dizzy, so I stayed there.” She seemed annoyed. “I could use some tea, though.”
“I’ll go make it,” Hilliard offered, and he left the room.
“That man is a keeper,” Gran said once Hilliard was gone. “He’s kind, and he cares for you.”
Brian sighed. “I know he does.”
Gran took his hand. “I’m not going to be around forever, and I want to know that you aren’t going to be alone. I want you to be happy, and I want you to have your life back.” She glanced toward the door. “Which it seems Hilliard has made possible, from what I understand.”
“I guess. We still don’t know who committed the burglary,” Brian said.
“That doesn’t matter. There is a confession for who framed you, and that should be enough, with the alibi, to get you off the hook. And that was the goal—to find out the truth and clear your name.” Brian smiled slightly. “So why are you so worried?”
“I don’t know. Hilliard’s uncle is giving him a hard time about the estate, and I keep wondering if he’s going to wake up and realize that his life would be a lot easier and quieter back in Cleveland.”
Gran chuckled. “Please. Who wants quiet and easy… especially in Cleveland? Has he said anything about what he is going to do?”
“Well, I think he wants to stay, I really do, but….”
“Then maybe the two of you need to talk things over. Tell him what you want. You know you have a right to what will make you happy. Let him know how you feel.” Gran tugged him closer. “There are few things more attractive and sexy than a man who knows what he wants and is willing to put his heart out there.” She cleared her throat as Hilliard returned with a mug of hot tea and set it on the bedside table.
“Is there anything more that you’d like?” Hilliard asked.
“No. I’m fine. Why don’t the two of you go on downstairs? I’ll be fine.” She lifted the mug by the handle and sipped slowly. “I’m fine, really. Don’t go turning into a couple of worrywarts. I’m not quite ready to cross the bridge into the great beyond—not yet.” She shooed them out of the room. The dogs stayed with her on the bed, though.
“What was all that about?” Hilliard asked once they were downstairs.
“Gran is worried that I think she’s going to die.” Brian sat on the sofa with Hilliard next to him. Brian scratched his head nervously. “I have something I want to say, but I don’t know how to say it right. So I’ll just say that I really want you to stay.”
“I see.” Hilliard smiled. “Is that all?” He cocked his eyebrows, and his lips quirked a little.
“For now,” Brian said, “that will do. I may come up with more things that I want later. But I hope what I want is what you want. I guess that’s the thing, right? Finding someone you care about who wants the same things you do.”
Brian held Hilliard’s gaze. He had put his cards on the table, and now it was up to Hilliard. Brian’s belly did flip-flops, and he was almost afraid to breathe. Maybe he would have been better off to keep quiet. After all, if he didn’t know the answer, then there was still hope. Still, maybe Gran was right and it was best to know.
“I know we’ve talked about this and that I’ve sent you a lot of mixed signals. So… yeah. I want that too. I have every intention of fighting my uncle, who doesn’t have a leg to stand on anyway. His suit will likely be dismissed for lack of grounds. And I like it here. I like that I can start over and build a new life.” Hilliard leaned closer. “That we can build a life together. I sort of feel like you’re free now.” He swallowed hard.
“And I owe you so much for that,” Brian said.
Hilliard shook his head. “You owe me nothing. I don’t want you to think that we’re keeping score. What I did was because it was the right thing to do, and I’d do the same thing for anyone who asked for my help. And when you and I move forward, it will be because we both want to. No debts or anything like that.” He drew closer. “I didn’t help you because I thought you were sexy or because I wanted to get in your pants. I helped—”
“Because you just can’t stop yourself,” Brian interrupted with a smirk, caressing Hilliard’s cheek.
“And I would have helped you even if you hadn’t been the sexiest man ever to cross my path.” Brian felt Hilliard’s warm breath on his lips and saw the gold flecks dancing in his eyes. “I want to build a new life, and I want you to be part of it. I want to take you for drives up the coast and make love to the beat of the ocean as it pounds the rocks.” His voice grew husky. “There are many things that I want to do, and when I close my eyes and think of them, I see us together.”
“Like what?” Brian asked just loud enough to be heard. He swallowed hard.
“Maybe spring in Yosemite with the falls running full force, walking under trees that have been there for hundreds of years. Swimming in the Pacific, or in lakes warmed during the summer. I want to see all the west has to offer.” He smiled. “Maybe spend the night in a tent where we’re the only people for miles and all we see above is a curtain of stars.”