Page 48 of Summer Ride

“Then don’t. I can carry you upstairs.” He shifted her and easily carried her to the stairs. He laid her on the bed, then reached to remove her shoes. “Brett’s arranged for us to head to the Hideaway early. We’ll leave in the morning. It’s all ours for an entire week,” he said as he kissed her.

“That sounds amazing.”

“Shower?”

She glanced down at herself, groaned, and then nodded. “A quick one.”

“Want company?” he offered.

She shook her head. “No, I’ll just be a moment. I need… time.”

He nodded. “I’ll head down and clean up and get something to snack on. Want anything?”

“Crackers and maybe a ginger ale.” She removed her soiled clothes and threw them in the hamper, then locked herself in the bathroom.

He waited for a heartbeat and when the shower started, headed down to clean up the mess from before.

The television was still on and, as he cleaned up, he watched the news on mute for any update on the little girl that Kara had helped save.

He was just making a sandwich for himself and loading her crackers and soda on a tray to carry upstairs when the report finally came on.

He was surprised at how little information there was. They didn’t even mention Axel by name or show his old mugshot to help catch the man. The only information they gave was that Abigail was found alive and resting in the hospital after being reunited with her family.

Feeling disgusted, he shut off the television and carried the food upstairs. He found Kara sitting on the edge of the bed, flipping between channels on the television.

“They didn’t even mention his name,” she said, without looking over at him. “Why not?” She finally looked at him.

He set the tray down on a nightstand and sat next to her. She had pulled on her oversized fluffy robe and was hugging it to her body. Her hair was still wet and slicked back from her face.

She looked tired, pale, and beautiful. She was carrying his child. That thought had him smiling.

He changed the television to the old black-and-white movie station she enjoyed so much and took her shoulders in his hands.

“For tonight, just know that she’s alive and safe, all thanks to you,” he said. She frowned. “Shut it down. Eat something. Watch an old romantic movie with me and fall asleep in my arms.” He kissed her.

She tasted like mint toothpaste and smelled like strawberry shampoo. The combination was intoxicating.

He felt her relaxing against him, then nodded. “Did you make me a sandwich?”

He smiled. “I made me two sandwiches. What’ll you give me for one of them?”

She smiled. “How about a kid in about… eight to nine months?”

He laughed and then hugged her. “I’ll take it.” He kissed her again.

The next morning, he woke up to his cell phone exploding with messages from his parents.

Rolling over, he half glanced at them. Apparently, they’d returned sometime early that morning and had already been filled in by someone on what had happened the day before.

“Who is it?” Kara asked.

“My parents.” He sat up and reread the messages. “They wanted to make sure you’re okay. They heard from Lea you were sick. You know how close they are with everyone at the camp.”

Kara shifted slightly, tucking her hands under her cheek. “Tell them I’m fine.”

“Should I tell them the good news?” he asked, his fingers hovering over the phone.

Kara was quiet for a moment. “Let’s wait until we get back from our trip. One week.” She smiled, then yawned. “They’ll want to see us, and I really just want to get to the Hideaway as soon as possible. Besides, it’s still so early in the pregnancy. Anything could happen.”