Page 43 of Ruby’s Outback Love

“Is she conscious?” I asked.

“She wasn’t when I poked my head in to say hello. The nurse said she had been awake though.”

Cam stepped over to me, leaned down and kissed my cheek. “It looks like you’re in good hands so I’m going to sit with Elouise so she has someone there when she wakes.”

“Of course. Give her my love and let her know I’ll drop by tomorrow.”

“Will do, honey.” Another kiss, Cam said goodbye to the others and left.

***

The night passed by in a flash although I could have done without being woken every couple of hours. As the sun bounced off small overhead windows which were scattered high around the room, I lay on my side observing Phil, snoring softly as he slept.

He was scrunched up in a chair beside the bed, every muscle and joint in his body was going to be stiff and sore when he woke and attempted to move.

A nurse pushing through the curtain drew my attention to him and I rolled onto my back so he could proceed with observations. He glanced over at Phil and spoke quietly as he checked me.

“How are you feeling this morning?”

“Much better. The headache is gone and my head feels clearer.”

“That’s good news. All obs. have been normal so you’ll be right to go home once the doctor comes in and signs the discharge papers.”

I couldn’t wait to bust free from the place even though I couldn’t fault my treatment.

“Thank you.”

He nodded and slipped out as quietly as he’d entered. I turned back onto my side and studied Phil who had somehow managed to remain asleep.

His face appeared relaxed. Dark stubble, overnight growth, covered his jaw. Long arms were crossed over his broad chest, he’d certainly filled out nicely, and long legs were crossed at the ankles. The uniform he’d been wearing since coming to the crash scene was crumpled, but he was still the sexiest man I’d ever laid eyes on.

His eyes flickered open and he looked towards me as he stretched, arms high above his head. I watched as he grimaced and groaned. A smile broke out on my lips and he grinned.

“Good morning, beautiful.”

Phil stood; the movement accompanied by another groan. Leaning over he tentatively placed a feather-light kiss to my lips; barely grazing the surface.

My entire body ignited. Nerve endings sizzled and popped. My head became light. Groin tightened with want. The barely there brush of his lips over mine was enough to knock my world off its axis. As he sat back in the chair, I ran fingertips over my lips which still tingled.

“How are you feeling?” Phil’s sleep-riddled, deep, gravelly voice had my heart beating rapidly.

“Much better. The nurse who did the obs a few moments ago said as soon as the doctor comes in and signs the release papers, I can go home.”

“The headache?”

“Gone. My head is much clearer. How do you feel? It can’t have been comfortable sleeping in that chair all night. You didn’t have to stay.”

Phil sat forward and gathered my hands. Whoa mama, the electricity between us was strong enough to power my small house. I could barely think straight with his warm skin against mine.

“I wanted to stay, Ruby. “I’ve never stopped loving you and if I could turn back time….”

Tears pricked my eyes as my mind caught up with my heart and thawed towards the man I’d never stopped loving. But we still needed to discuss a great deal before we could move forward.

“Are you sure it’s okay for me to be the one staying with you?” Phil caressed my knuckles as he spoke, I could barely think straight and it took me a moment to answer him.

“Yes. It will give us an opportunity to talk, so yeah, I’m good with it. Thank you. The alternate would have had to be mum and dad’s place and as much as I love them, along with my brothers and sisters, the place wouldn’t have been conducive to me getting the rest the doctor wants me to have.”

“I remember how rowdy the place was when we were growing up. Apart from you being there, it was one of the reasons I loved visiting. Someone was always up to something they shouldn’t have been. Compared to the quiet of my place, yours was always so alive.”