“If you’re Mrs. Caldwell, you’ll be glad to know your husband’s awake. We still haven’t discovered what happened to him. We’re beginning to think it might be stress-related.”

“Thank you.” Allison began to breathe normally again. “Can I go in and see him?”

“Of course. He asked for you as he was waking up. Remember, we want to keep him as quiet as possible. If he seems agitated, call the nurse.” The doctor walked away, then turned back. “You’re Brianna, right?”

“Brianna’s his daughter. I’m his wife—Allison.” At least Burke hadn’t asked for Kate this time. “Brianna will be here later this afternoon. She has red hair—like her mother.”

“Oh—thanks for straightening me out.” The doctor smiled again and hurried off down the hall. Allison opened the door to Burke’s room and walked softly inside.

Burke was lying back on the pillow. Beneath the bruises from the accident, his face was fearfully pale. An oxygen clip was fastened to his nose. He looked awful. But the monitors above his head showed that his vitals were good. Thank heaven for that.

Tears welled in Allison’s eyes as she leaned over him. What if she’d lost this stubborn, impossible, precious man?

His eyes opened, a surprising alertness flickering in their dark blue depths. He hadn’t spoken, but she could tell that he knew her.

“Hello, sleepyhead,” she whispered. “You look like hell.”

A feeble smile tugged at his lips. “I feel like hell,” he muttered. “What happened to me?”

“The doctor isn’t sure. They thought you might be having a heart attack, but that didn’t check out. What do you remember?”

“Not much. Just some chest pain, and then the monitors went crazy. After that, I must’ve blacked out, or they gave me something.”

Allison reached for his hand and held it, grateful that he wasn’t trying to push her away. “After the doctor called me, I couldn’t get here fast enough. You scared me half to death.”

“No need for that. I’m a tough sonofabitch. You should know that by now.”

“I do.” Allison blinked back tears. Her fingers tightened around his hand. “Brianna’s on her way. Her flight will be landing soon.”

“Damn, Brianna didn’t need to come. One look at me and she’ll probably turn around and run.”

“She’s your daughter. She loves you. And don’t worry about the way you look. Garrett promised to prepare her.”

“Garrett?” He scowled.

“I asked him to meet Brianna’s flight so I could be here with you.”

Burke didn’t respond. He was still scowling.