I reached up and pushed the nurses call button.

“I said okay.”

Her voice was so soft, almost like she was having a hard time talking. She must have been confused….. why was she saying okay?

“Okay to what Ellie?”

“To marrying you and spending the rest of your life loving me, that’s what I heard you say right?”

Holy hell…….. I wanted to grab her and just kiss her. I loved her so goddamn much and she must remember me because she wouldn’t be saying yes to marrying a stranger……..would she?

I smiled at her and got up and leaned over and gently kissed her lips.

“Yes, sweetheart, that’s exactly what I said.”

The nurse walked in and saw that Ellie was awake. She started to ask her if she was hurting anywhere. Ellie said her head and her right arm was hurting and her sides. Another nurse walked in and they started messing around with Ellie and taking some of the wires off of her.

I sent a text message to Grams, Jeff and Ari to let them know Ellie was awake.

“Are you hungry Ms. Johnson?” The nurse asked.

“Um, I think I’m thirstier more than anything right now.”

I jumped up and told them I would go get some ice water but the nurse told me ice chips would be best for now. When I was walking out I heard Ellie ask the nurse how long I had been there because I looked like shit.

I had to laugh to myself..…..she was going to be okay. We were going to be okay.

CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE

E llie……

Christmas day at the ranch………

“Emma please let me help out with something. I do have one good arm you know! I feel so helpless just sitting here.”

Emma had been babying me ever since we got to the ranch two days ago. I thought Gunner was bad…..Gesh….he ain’t got nothing on Emma.

After I got out of the hospital Gunner moved me into his place so he could take care of me. I thought it was going to be a huge fight between him and Ari about where I was going to stay but then Jefferson reminded Ari that she could stay there also. So for almost two weeks now I have had Jefferson, Gunner and Ari waiting on me hand and foot. I was getting so sick of it. My only favorite thing was Gunner helping me with showers and that about caused Jefferson to beat the shit out of Gunner the first day he was going to give me a shower. That is until Ari whispered something into Jefferson’s ear and he just smiled and then headed off into his room.

EEWW! EEWWW! EEEEWWWW! Just the memory alone made me want to throw up a little in my mouth. I knew they had not had sex yet because Ari told me. I guess Jeff was pulling a Gunner and “waiting for the right time”. ARGH I was going to explode if I did not lose my virginity and know what that man felt like inside of me.

Heather bent down and whispered in my ear.

“You better stop thinking about whatever it is you’re thinking about….your blushed face is screaming your minds dirty thoughts!”

I had to giggle. Ari was like my sister and by far my bestest of best friends but Heather, she was one of those friends who was your best friend but also someone who you could always count on to be there for you whenever you needed her. She was probably the least selfish person I knew. When Gunner invited her to the ranch for Christmas I could have kissed him. Both of Heather’s parents had passed away this summer in a car accident and she had no one else to spend Christmas with. What Gunner failed tell her was that he was inviting Josh Hayes, his UT football team mate, also.

Josh was probably the biggest playboy I had ever met, well except for Jefferson’s man whoring days this past fall. I see him with a different girl almost every day but Gunner seems to think Josh has a thing for Heather. I know when Heather first met him at my graduation party last summer she was instantly attracted to him. He was 6’2” and had light brown hair and beautiful green eyes and had a rocking body. Then she talked to him……and all interest was quickly lost. Or at least I thought it was. The two of them couldn’t keep their eyes off of each other. Interesting…..

I felt a warm body move up behind me and it sent shivers down my body. Gunner. I could always tell when he walked into a room….I could feel him. He leaned down and his warm breath instantly made me hungry for his touch. He had given me more orgasms in the last week then I thought possible. The first week home from the hospital he treated me like a china doll because of my bruised ribs. They still hurt but there was no way I was telling him. If I did he would stop touching me and I craved his touch so damn much.

“I have a surprise for you later this evening if you’re up to it and are feeling okay.”

Oh my god….the seduction in his voice gave me goose bumps. FUCK YEAH I was up for it. I was feeling stiff from just sitting all day. I really needed to take a walk.

I turned and reached up on my tippy toes and gave him a kiss. God I loved him so much and to think I almost blew it with my stupid insecurities. The thought made me feel sick.

“Will you walk with me for a little bit outside? I’m going crazy sitting here just watching everyone work!”

Gunner gave me that crooked smile and my heart melted. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to how his smile makes me feel.

“Of course I’ll walk with you sweetheart.”

Gunner told Emma we were heading out for some fresh air as he leaned down and scooped me up. I had to start laughing.

“GUNNER! I can walk you know…I only have a broken arm!”

He threw his head back and laughed and then kissed me so passionately I almost wanted to cry.

“I know you can but any excuse to have your body closer to mine and I’m going to take it!”

“Can we go see the new calf that was born yesterday?”

Gunner smiled and led me to the barn. I ohhhed and ahhhed over him because my god he was the cutest damn thing ever! Aaron pulled up in the jeep and I noticed Gunner’s body stiffen. Aaron looked at Gunner and then at me and then back to Gunner. He gave him a wink and nodded his head.

“Did you get it all taken care of?” Gunner asked him.

“Yep, I did. Jenny is amazing. I think it will work out perfectly.” Aaron said with a huge grin on his face.

“How is Jenny doing Aaron? I haven’t seen her since Thanksgiving.” Jenny was Aaron’s fiancé. She was the sweetest girl and they made a wonderful couple.

“She’s doing great Ellie, she had to leave to get to her parents place for Christmas dinner but she will be around tomorrow so you will be able to say hi to her.”

“Great!”

Aaron walked towards us and gave me a quick hug before turning his attention onto Gunner who now seemed nervous as hell. What the hell was wrong with him?

“Dude, we took care of it. Don’t worry…..trust me okay? Around what time in the morning do you want it?” Aaron asked Gunner.

“How about 8am, is that too early?”

“Fuck no…I will be glad to get rid of the damn little menace!” Aaron slapped Gunner on the back and headed off.

“Merry Christmas Aaron!” I called out to him and waved.

“Merry Christmas Ellie.” He gave me a smile that stretched from ear to ear and then let out a laugh.

Gunner looked down at me and smiled. I wonder what that was all about.

“I asked Aaron to take care of some things I needed done right away. I just feel bad asking him to do it on Christmas day.” Gunner said as he looked at me and smiled bigger.

“Oh Gunner, don’t worry about that. I know how much Aaron cares about you and your family. I’m sure he did not mind one bit doing what you needed done.”

Gunner smiled at me and stood in front of me.

“Do you know how much I love you?”

“Umm, I think you should probably show me!”

He carefully put his arms around me and lifted me up. I swung my broken arm up and over his shoulder while I wrapped my legs around his waist. My ribs where throbbing with pain but I did my best to hide it. Gunner captured my lips with his and all the pain melted away. The only thing I could feel was his love rushing through my body. He slowly backed us up against the barn.