Page 127 of The Bitterroot Inn (Jamison Valley 5)
“Because she always says it right back and then I don’t feel so mad anymore.”
My heart melted. “Aww. That might be, like, the cutest thing you’ve ever said.”
“Hey!” He frowned. “It’s not cute.”
“Oh, it totally is.”
He kept his frown and lifted up his Coke, but before the rim touched his lip, I saw the beginning of a grin. After a long drink, he set down the can and turned back to the photographs still on the floor behind him. The one at the front of the stack was the one of Coby fishing.
“It’s okay to be scared, Maze, but don’t let that fear keep you from being happy.”
I stepped out of my car and took a deep breath as I stared at the hospital.
I love you.
That’s all I had to say. I just hoped that Beau’s tactic with Sabrina would work for Hunter and me too, because after an afternoon talking with my brother and voicing my fears, I was ready to be done with this separation from Hunter.
With one last fortifying breath, I opened the back door to the 4Runner and pulled out Hunter’s canvas. When the door slammed shut, my feet started across the pavement. A small twinge of anxiety raced up my spine, a mix of residual fears from the Everett disaster and nerves about seeing Hunter. It didn’t stop me though. I marched right through the sliding glass doors and let the hospital smell hit me in the face.
Sara was working at the ER counter and when she spotted me, she came rushing around the corner. “Hey! It’s so good to see you here.” Because she’d filled my vacant nursing position after she’d moved to Prescott with Milo, Sara had never seen me inside the hospital before.
“Thanks.” I smiled and gave her a quick hug, her warm embrace settling my nerves a bit. “Do you know if Hunter is busy? I wanted to drop this off.” I held up the picture.
“That. Is. Gorgeous. Did you take that?”
I shook my head. “No, Hunter did.”
“He’s a photographer too?” she asked. “Good catch, girl.”
He was a good catch. And it was time for me to reel him back in and take him home.
I smiled. “Thanks. He actually did a whole series of photographs for the inn. You’ll have to stop by and check them out.”
“For sure.” She turned and pointed down the back hall. “I saw him a minute ago walking toward the staff lounge. He might still be in there. Do you want me to page him?”
“No, that’s okay. Would it be okay if I just popped back there and checked?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks.” I waved good-bye and then started off toward the staff lounge.
I hustled, hoping Hunter was still in the lounge. It was actually one of the few places in the hospital where Everett and I hadn’t spent any time together, either personal or professional. In there, my reconnection with Hunter wouldn’t be tainted by the past.
With fast strides, I crossed through the ER and back to the lounge. The second I walked through the door, Hunter stood from the fridge, water bottle in hand.
He turned toward the door with a jerk and squeezed the open water bottle too tight, sending a huge spurt right onto his shirt.
I scrunched up my face. “Sorry to startle you.”
He shook his head and started laughing as he reached for a paper towel. “Don’t be. This is actually a nice change of events. When you scare me, I just get wet. When I scare you, I end up bleeding or writhing on the ground in pain. This I’ll take.”
I smiled and stepped further into the room.
“What’s up? Is everything okay?” he asked, blotting his shirt dry.
“Yes, I just wanted to drop this off.” I held up the canvas.
Hunter set down his water and tossed his paper towel into the trash, then crossed the small, colorless room.
