“As soon as I thought that I didn’t want to die, I think I went back inside my body. But the moment I did that, I couldn’t see, and I couldn’t remember how to make anything work. But I could feel your hand. I tried to make my fingers work, but they wouldn’t. After that, I just remember waking up and sleeping and waking up and sleeping, and always, always, trying to find my way back. I want you to know that every time I found the strength to surface, it was because I was following the sound of your voice. I chose you, and that’s why I’m still here.”

There were tears on Hunt’s face again, but he didn’t care.

“I’ll be thanking God every day for the rest of my life for giving you the choice, and I’ll be thanking you every night when I hold you in my arms that you chose to come back to me. I love you, Ava.”

She sighed, and then closed her eyes again. “Love you too,” she mumbled.

Hunt slid off the side of her bed, raised the guardrail back into place, and then pulled up the covers.

Her eyes opened.

“You’ll stay?”

“Right here,” Hunt said. “Close your eyes. I’ve got you.”

* * *

Hunt took Ava home two days later. Getting hurt had hastened the end of her job. Even though she and Hunt weren’t leaving for Houston just yet, she wasn’t strong enough to return to work.

When he got her back to her house, she took a deep breath as she entered.

“Home never felt so good.” And then she glanced at him. “Or looked as good. You plan on keeping that three-day beard?”

“No. It makes me look too much like Dad. Are you doing okay? Where do you want to land, sugar? On the sofa in the living room, or do you want to lie down on your bed?”

“I think I just want to prowl the house for a couple of minutes. You know…make myself a glass of tea. Sneak a cookie or something. I was an impatient patient. I admit it.”

Hunt grinned. “I don’t know about that. I like your sass. But I’ll turn the bed back just in case, and then I’m going to shave.”

“Make yourself pretty for me,” Ava said, and turned to walk away.

Hunt stood, watching the way she was moving. She walked a little hunched over, favoring the pain in her chest, but she was steady on her feet. He started to leave, and then waited a couple of minutes until she came back. Once she was settled in her chair with her feet up, he kissed the top of her head and left her alone.

He got out his electric razor, turned it on, then frowned at his reflection.