I woke up to a warm breeze. White curtains were fluttering in the window, and I turned my head to the side. My vision was blurry and my left eye still ached, but with each blink, I could see better.

It hurt to move. Everything hurt. Outside, tropical trees were swinging to the wind’s tune.

“Kate?” I followed Cameron’s voice.

He was sitting at my bedside and took my left hand into his. I twined my fingers with his and felt immediate comfort.

“Where am I?”

“Try not to move. You’ve been injured, but you’re safe, baby, and from now on, I’ll make sure you remain that way.”

“What happened?”

Cameron told me about the rescue. I couldn’t remember much of that night, other than my mouth being dry and my body sore. He told me about the ambush in the chapel, and I was pretty sure that he spared me a few gruesome details because the way my body felt, a lot more must have happened than he was letting on. My leg was in a cast, and so was my right arm. I felt stiff around my mid-section as well.

“We’re in a private clinic in Florida, and we’re going to stay here until you’re well.”

“So Mom and Father John are okay?”

“Yeah, they’re just outside the door, waiting to see you.”

“And Mike?”

“He’s in jail. So are Mateo and Aaron. Kate, I’m so sorry I let this happen to you.”

“It’s not your fault. We didn’t know.”

“I should have known.”

“Cameron, I brought this on myself, and I dragged you and your family along with me.”

“How about we just stop thinking about the cartel for a little while?”

“That sounds good. Cameron?”

“Yes?”

“Can you kiss me?”

The corner of his mouth lifted and he lowered it to mine, placing a gentle smooch on my lips, and I felt whole again. In pain, but whole.

“That’s better,” I said. “Is it really all over?”

“Yeah, it’s over.”

Something flashed across his face, but I had no strength to deal with whatever was on his mind. Not yet, at least. My head still hurt too much.

“Are you in pain?” he asked.

“Yeah, a bit.”

“Press that button.” He pointed to my left hand. “It’s morphine. It will help with the pain.”

“It will make me hallucinate.”

“Kate, you need the medication. Don’t worry, it won’t dispense more than you can handle.”

I pushed my thumb. If I had just woken up and everything was hurting, I could only assume that it would hurt even more later on.

“You’re going to sleep soon, but there are people here anxious to see you. Are you ready for some visitors? I won’t allow them to stay long.” Cameron opened the door to my room. My mother came into view first. Father John was right behind her, rolling a wheelchair forward. I felt my eyes gloss over.

“Honey, I’m so sorry.” My mother rushed to my side.

“Are you guys okay?” I asked.

“We’re fine,” Father John replied, as he wheeled closer to my bed. He parked at the side and took my hand in his. The touch felt warm and kind, and different from when we shook hands back in Pace.

“You were shot. I thought you were dead,” I said to Father John.

“It wasn’t my time,” he replied. “Colds may kill me but not bullets. Besides, I had to finally meet my beautiful daughter. I always knew there was something missing in my life, but I never realized that it was a daughter.”

“I’m sorry. About everything.”

“It’s not your fault, honey. We’re just glad you’re all right.”

We spent the next few minutes catching up on life. I told Father John about my decision to become a detective and where I’d worked. I told him how happy I was that I’d found him. He sobbed every few sentences. My mother comforted him to the best of her abilities. Once Father John healed, she would help him settle back in Pace before she went back to Long Island.

“You’re in good hands,” she said, looking over to Cameron, and I couldn’t agree more. “Thank you for finding Jack and Mary.”

“You’ve seen them?”

She nodded. “Yes. Once you’re well, we’ll have a big family reunion.”

“I think I’d like that very much.” I yawned

“Me too, baby. Me too.”

“All right. I think it’s time for Kate to rest.”

My parents kissed me on my head and left.

“You had me scared there for a while.” Cameron rested his elbow on my bed and took my hand.

“I must look like a zombie.”

“You look beautiful.”

“I definitely feel like a zombie.”

“Lola did your hair. It will still be a couple of weeks before we can go home.”

Home.

I couldn’t even tell him that I didn’t know where home was, though I wanted it to be wherever he was. I didn’t want to leave Cameron ever again.

“Where is she?”

“She’s outside with Brook making a few calls. They’re going to try to find Xavier.”

“Really?”

“It’s a long shot but Lola found a lead.”

“That’s great news. Cameron?”

“Yeah.”

The room was spinning. For a moment I thought the palms outside the window had been replanted around my bed. I shut my eyes, and when I opened them to see Cameron gazing lovingly at me from above, I couldn’t have been happier. Still, my heart didn’t leap the way it used to. Though I thought I had everything I ever wanted – my family safe and Cameron beside me – it felt like something was missing.

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Kate. With all my heart.”

“I’m tired.” I closed my eyes and began to drift off to sleep. Before I did, I heard Brook come into my room to speak with his brother. A few words pierced my consciousness, and Aaron registered in my ears. Cameron mentioned keeping me secluded until Aaron could be found.

“Did you tell her about the baby?” Brook asked.

“Not yet. She’s not strong enough to deal with that now.”

“I’ve set up a place for you guys in Montana. Until we find him, she needs to stay out of sight. Father has a place for Anna and John too.”

“Good. I will not let another Cortez near her until my dying day,” I heard him say.

And while I wanted to listen in more to their conversation, sleep overtook me, with one last question pending in my mind.

What baby?

* * *

Dear Reader:

I hope you enjoyed Kate and Cameron’s story, but as you can see, that story is not over yet. You can read more about this couple in Baby Me, available at all retailers November 30th. Best way to find out about my new releases is to sign up for or follow me on .

Will Lola and Brooke get their story? Yes! They have to find Xavier, if he’s alive that is, and deal with “Barbie”, aka Evie. What do you get when the attraction between a single father and a woman who hates kids grows into a relationship based on lies? Lots and lots of conflict and as you know, Lola doesn’t like drama. Well, she’s going to have to deal with it in the follow up novel, Play With Me, available Fall 2017 (or sooner).

Happy reading!

Lacey Silks