Finding Forever (Smoky Mountain Lawmen Book 1) (21 page)

“Mom,
I’m fine.  Seriously, you don’t need to bring me my meals in bed.  I can come
to the table like any other normal person,” Tristan growled.  Gemma couldn’t
help but grin at the exasperation coloring his tone as Tristan faced off
against their mother, Kim, in the doorway to his bedroom.  Kim held a tray in
her hands with a plate of the supper she had made.  Tristan, dressed in just a
pair of athletic shorts with his arm in a sling towered over her, a fierce
frown on his face.  Their parents had flown home the day Tristan was shot and
their mother had been hovering over him since she had arrived at his bedside. 
He had come home from the hospital two days ago and for the first day their mom
hadn’t let him get out of bed to do more than use the bathroom.  Gemma had
hovered too.  He had been shot trying to save her and she wanted to make his
recovery as smooth as possible.  He did look better though, so she could see
why he was starting to resist the coddling.  Tristan never was one to stay down
long, even when he was a kid.

Still,
injured or not, she couldn’t let the opportunity to needle him a bit pass by.  “Come
on, Tris,” Gemma coaxed.  “You should take advantage of this.  Who else is ever
going to make you breakfast in bed?  And lunch and dinner?”

His
glare shifted to her.  He shook a finger at both of them.  “Enough ganging up
on me.  I’m
fine
.”

Gemma
just grinned at him and his eyes narrowed further as he regarded her.  It was
that look alone that had Gemma believing he really was okay. 

“You
are
not
fine, Tristan Andrew,” Kim declared, her voice sharp.  “You were
shot in the neck a week ago and nearly died from blood loss.  You need to
rest.”

Gemma
watched her brother’s expression soften as he looked down at their mother as
they both realized that their normally unflappable mother was very upset by all
that had happened.  “And I will sit right back down somewhere and not move
again until nature calls after we eat.”  He laid his free hand on her
shoulder.  “I’m feeling much better today, Mom, and I need to move around.  The
doctor even said it was good for me to get up and walk around some.  I’m not
dizzy and I’m not shaky.  I’ll be okay to join you guys for dinner in the
dining room.”

Kim’s
chin quivered as she looked up at her son.  Her shoulders dropped as the
tension in them fled.  She sniffed and straightened her spine, visibly pulling
herself together.  “I’m sorry, sweetie.  I guess I was a little more worried
about you than I thought.  I just want you back to yourself.”

Tristan
wrapped his arm around her shoulders and squeezed.  “I know, Mom, and I’m
getting there.”

She
nodded back before smiling up at him.  “Alright then.  Let’s go eat.”

Gemma
had just slid the last bite of her mom’s chicken casserole into her mouth when
she heard the front door close and then boots thumping down the hallway.  She
was already out of her chair and headed for the doorway, swallowing the lump of
casserole, when Ben rounded the corner of the dining room.  She launched
herself at him and he caught her easily, tucking her tight against his chest.

She
looked up at him.  “What are you doing here?  I didn’t think you were going to
be back for another few days at least.”

Ben
dropped a hard kiss on her mouth before answering.  “My partner had already
handled a lot of the paperwork by the time I got back.  Once we notified the
families of the other victims and wrapped up all the documentation with the
bureau and the federal prosecutor’s office I told my boss I was taking some
time off and left.”

Gemma
grinned, beyond thrilled he was here.  He had left the day after Tristan was
shot to tie up the case and she had missed him desperately.  “Well good.  I’m
glad you’re back.”  She gestured to the table behind her.  “We just finished
eating, but there’s still plenty left if you want some.  Or did you eat on your
way down?”

Ben
shook his head.  “No, I didn’t eat.  I’ll get some of what you had later
though.”  Ben pulled back a bit, suddenly looking nervous. 

Gemma
frowned.  He looked like he had something serious to say.  “What?  Tell me. 
Did Sutton have a partner?”  Her eyes widened.  “Oh God!  It’s not over, is
it?”

“No! 
No, it’s nothing like that,” he rushed to reassure her.

“Then
what?”

Ben
slid his arms from around her to take her hands in his.  “Do you remember what
we talked about the day that old boyfriend of yours showed up at your office?”

Gemma
eyes widened even further.  One hand flew up to cover her mouth and she felt
tears start to slide down her cheeks.  “Yes,” she whispered.

He
smiled softly at her before dropping her other hand.  When he reached into his
pocket and knelt before her, Gemma swayed, her own knees threatening to give
out.  She heard her mom gasp behind her.

“Honey,
I know we haven’t known each other long, but I don’t need more time to know
that you’re it for me.  You are the smartest, funniest, bravest, most beautiful
woman I’ve ever known and I want to spend the rest of my life watching you take
life by the horns and making it bend to your will.  I want all the things I
never thought I would ever have with a woman and I want them with you.  I love
you.  Will you marry me?”

Gemma
nodded.  “Yes,” she choked out on a sob.  “Yes, I will.”  Ben swooped her up
into his embrace, kissing her with enough love and passion to curl her toes. 
Gemma kissed him back for all she was worth, her heart overflowing with love
for this man.  This man who had taught her what real love was all about and who
had filled the hole in her soul that she hadn’t even known was there until he
showed up.  She couldn’t wait to start her life with him by her side.

Her
mother’s exclamation of joy broke them apart.  Ben slid the ring out of the box
and onto her finger.  Gemma just stared at the twinkling gem.  Its round cut
circled by smaller stones was a perfect fit.

“Do
you like it?” Ben asked softly. 

Gemma
nodded, her heart brimming with happiness.  “It’s perfect.”