Page 47 of Valiant

“Can we make it work if I stay in the Navy?” he questioned. “I don’t want to be without you and Eddy. I can’t be.”

She finally smiled, the tension leaving her body. “We’ll figure it out, because Eddy deserves to have his daddy. And I don’t want to be without you, either. I love you, and I wish I’d said that sooner.” Oh, how she wished that. They’d spent so much time apart. “I loved you that night last December.”

He squeezed his eyes shut. “Kels, I—”

“No more apologies,” she cut him off.

“I made such a mistake.” He focused on her again. “If I’d just been braver, or more honest with myself, I could have had more time with you and our baby. I could have supported you when you needed me.”

“And I could have communicated better, too,” she said as she put her arms around him. “There have been times when I didn’t want to love you, and I wouldn’t let myself admit to how I felt about you. I worried that loving you would keep me from being strong. But my love for you just makes me stronger. I can’t change how I feel, and I don’t want to. I want us to be together.”

He rested his forehead against hers and sighed. “You don’t know how that makes me feel,” he said. “I was afraid it was too late for us.”

“Not at all. It’s just the beginning.” She kissed him, light and soft to start, but it soon deepened as if they could reveal their feelings in the kiss. After several minutes, Eddy squirmed between them.

“I guess he’s had enough of kissing,” Cole said with a laugh. “I haven’t. We’ll continue later?”

“Definitely.” Kelsey kissed Eddy’s cheek, making him giggle.

“Let me take you to see your dad now,” Cole said. “Maybe we should leave Eddy with Maureen.”

Kelsey considered that for a moment. It was getting late, and the baby might get fussy, but she didn’t want to be without him. The three of them were a family. “No, Dad will want to see him, and, later, I want us all to go home. Together.”

TWENTY-EIGHT

Kelsey smiled and rolled her eyes when she heard her father’s voice come from the hospital room. She and Cole had just arrived at the base hospital and were in the hall outside. She caught Cole’s eye and noticed his grin.

“I don’t need the damn CT scan. I’m fine. I could go out in the field tomorrow,” Edwin Reeves yelled.

“Pops is grumpy,” she murmured to Eddy. She had the sleepy baby in the sling across her chest.

“He should get the scan,” Cole said to her. “He took a couple of punches to the gut that I saw, and I don’t know what happened before I got on the yacht, but it was bad enough that he passed out once the danger was over and he let his guard drop.”

“I’ll handle it.” Kelsey entered the room and went to the side of the bed. Her father was in a hospital gown, and his arms were crossed over his chest as he glared at the doctor. His face was bruised and swollen in places. Cole had warned her about that. Still, she was so glad to see him in one piece. Before she could get gushy and say that, she had to fight a battle. “Dad, you should absolutely listen to the doctor and get the scan done. I insist.”

“You too?” he grumbled. “Listen, I don’t need—”

She raised her eyebrows at him, and he stopped mid-sentence. He frowned and sighed. “Okay, I’ll get it. It’s not necessary,” he looked between the doctor and her, “but if you think I should.”

“I do. I’ll feel better if I know for certain that you aren’t seriously hurt.” She moved closer, took his hand, and kissed his cheek. He instantly softened, as she knew he would. “I’m so glad you’re free and this is over.”

“Me, too, honey,” he said, touching Eddy’s head. “How’s my grandson?”

“He’s just fine,” she said, gently pulling back the sling so he could see his grandson’s drowsy little face. “If he could talk, he’d tell you how much he’s missed you.”

“I’ve missed him, too. I hated to leave the two of you behind all this time, but I had to do this. I hope you understand.”

She nodded, unsure of what to say. She had questions for her dad, ones that she’d discussed with Cole on the way over, but she’d wait to ask them until after the scan. Cole put his hand on her back, seeming to know that she needed his support just then. Before any of them could speak, an orderly came in to take her father for the scan.

“We’ll be here when you get back,” Kelsey said. “Behave for the technician.” Her father shot her a grin as they wheeled him away.

“You should sit and rest for a minute while he’s gone.” Cole suggested. “I’ll take Eddy.”

“Aren’t you the one who’s tired?” She looked at him, a bit amazed. It seemed ridiculous that he wantedherto rest. “I mean, you rescued a man and apprehended a traitor today—and that was with all your injuries from the grocery store attack. I’d think you’d be exhausted.”

“I don’t need much sleep,” he said in a tone that suggested his actions were all in a day’s work. “Let me take him.” As he lifted Eddy from the sling, his hand brushed against her breast, making her gasp.

“That’s a good thing,” she whispered, catching Cole’s arm and holding it in place for a second. “I don’t plan to let you get much sleep later tonight.”