Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 130159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Ignoring the obvious answer, Beck pulled the keys from his pocket. “Heavenly?”
She appeared, looking up the stairs at him. “Yeah?”
“I’m heading to the hospital to check on my patients and see how Dean is doing. Do you still want to come so you can talk to Bridget and Jennifer?”
She shook her head. “I’ll talk to them Monday. I need to get everything set up for Zach. But give Dean my best and tell him to get well soon.”
“I will. Hey, when I get back, let’s plan on a movie and some popcorn if Seth is up for it.”
As the PI’s heavy footfalls echoed from the floor above, Beck looked up to see the guy descending the stairs.
“Up for what?” he asked.
“A movie and popcorn.” Heavenly leaned forward, craning her neck to see him on the top floor.
“Sounds good. I should be back soon.”
Beck scowled. “Back from where?”
“Since River and I have both been gone for a few days, I’ve got to check on one of my clients. It shouldn’t take long. In fact, you won’t even miss me.”
“Yes, I will,” Heavenly insisted. “I’m looking forward to a quiet night with you two.”
“Then it’s a date, angel.” Seth paused to smile her way, then clapped Beck on the shoulder before hurrying out the door.
“He’ll be back,” Heavenly assured as if sensing his trepidation.
Beck hoped that was true. “So will I.”
“See you soon.” She blew him a kiss, then disappeared downstairs again.
Beck left. Thirty minutes later, he lost himself in work, scanning the charts of the half-dozen patients admitted while he’d been at the lodge. Thankfully, the attending vascular surgeon had updated the status of each case. But he’d likely be performing back-to-back surgeries in the next few days.
More time away from home, separated from Heavenly and Seth. Damn it.
While he took the elevator to the med-surg unit, he tried to figure out how to impact them as little as possible. Worry plagued him until he tapped on Dean’s door, plastered on a smile, then stepped inside.
Beck was surprised to find the cop sitting up in bed, watching television—something he shouldn’t be doing with a concussion—and even more surprised to find him alone.
“Hey,” he greeted.
Dean quickly turned off the tube with a sheepish grin. “You didn’t see that on.”
“You watching TV? Yeah, I did. And clearly you know better.”
“Watching the wall is boring as fuck.”
“I’d like to argue with you, but I can’t.” Beck chuckled. “How are you feeling? You look a hell of a lot better than the last time I saw you.”
“I’m good now. How are you holding up? River told me what happened after I…”
“I’m fine. Honest. Speaking of River, where is he? I thought he’d be here.”
“He was, but he looked like hammered shit, so I told him to go home and rest. He called me a few minutes ago and said he’d napped, but he was too wired to sleep more, so he headed into work.” Dean rolled his eyes. “I told him he was a dumb ass for not hitting the club and enjoying another night off.”
“He probably wouldn’t have any fun without you, man.”
“That’s what he said.” A sentimental smile tugged Dean’s lips.
The cop was a lucky bastard. He’d bet Dean’s wingman wasn’t hiding anything so major it would rock the foundation of their friendship. And they damn sure didn’t have a woman to keep calm and happy in the midst of upheaval.
Beck didn’t have it that easy. All he knew was, if there was any chance Seth was going to walk away, he’d better fucking do it before they put a ring on Heavenly’s finger and a baby in her womb.
At least he understood Seth’s reluctance to get Heavenly pregnant. He was obviously worried that another child would be killed—murdered?—like the first. That’s why he’d been so fucking obsessed with condoms. Except last night, of course. In the hours before when it seemed possible they could all die, Seth had put the past on hold. Despite the danger, Beck had been filled with hope for the future. Now? He wished he knew exactly how Seth’s wife and son had died so he could help the man lay his ghosts to rest.
Suddenly, a conversation they’d shared a few weeks ago plowed through Beck’s brain.
Did losing your dad have anything to do with the reason you hung up your badge?
You said your past was a long story. Mine, too.
He’d avoided discussing Autumn and Tristan from the start.
As long as it won’t bite us in the ass, I can live with that.
It’s all ancient history.
Seth had sounded confident. But if the past wasn’t a problem, why all the hang-ups? Unless, as Beck suspected, he was still stuck in his grieving process.
“Beck?” Dean called.
Jolting from the memory, he blinked at the cop. “Sorry. Just remembered something. What were you saying?”