She rested her head against his chest, filled with relief to be safe in the arms of the man she loved. “Me, too.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
“He, who every morning plans the transactions of the day, and follows that plan, carries a thread that will guide him through a labyrinth of the most busy life.”
—Victor Hugo
Landon took her home and stayed with her until she fell asleep. When he’d seen her car teetering between life and death, he’d nearly suffered a stroke. He should’ve gone back to the firehouse to sleep, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave her.
Richard had told him to take care of her but keep his radio handy because they were still shorthanded.
The poor girl had had way too many things to be upset about lately. Another near-death experience had been the last thing she’d needed when she was only just beginning to recover from the first one.
While she rested in his arms, Landon ran his fingers through her hair and caressed her back. He had a crick in his neck, and his left hand was falling asleep, but there was no way he was leaving her for even a minute.
“Landon?”
“I thought you were asleep.”
“Can’t sleep. My brain is racing.”
“I’m sure, but you’re okay. Everything is okay.”
“Keep telling me?”
“As long as it takes.”
“I’m so sorry to be a mess again. I feel like you’ve seen more of that than any other part of me.”
“I’ve seen all the best parts of you, and I love them all. I wouldn’t want you crying all over anyone but me.”
“You want to hear something about me that you don’t know?”
“I want to hear it all. Every single thing you want to tell me.”
“I’ve never had a best friend. I had lots of good friends, but never one that was just mine.”
“I was lucky to have one born with me.”
“You were, for sure.” She looked up at him, seeming madly vulnerable. “Is there room for another one?”
“Absolutely.”
“That’s good, because you’re the first best friend I’ve ever had.”
Nothing had ever touched him the way she did, and he was beginning to understand that nothing else—and no one else—ever would. “I’m honored to be your first best friend.” He kissed her forehead and shifted to get more comfortable. “Try to get some rest. We have a fun weekend ahead and so many good things to look forward to.”
Landon was relieved to feel her body relax and her breathing even out. His anxiety was still through the roof after seeing her car teetering on the edge of disaster. He tried to calm himself by counting his blessings. Someone had seen her and called for help. They’d gotten to her in time, and she was safe. But it would be a while before he’d get the image of her car on the edge of disaster out of his mind.
Nolan had towed the car into town and promised to fix it so she wouldn’t have to deal with the rental car company. He said he’d put Skeeter on it while they were in Boston, and it would be good as new by the time they returned.
He wasn’t sure he’d be able to sleep, so he was surprised to wake up to sun streaming through the windows. Remembering that today was the day they were heading to Boston and he had four days off to enjoy with Amanda put him in a good mood to start the day. He got up to make coffee and brought hers back to bed. “Rise and shine, sleepyhead.”
Her eyes fluttered open and connected with his, the impact like a punch to the gut. For the rest of his life, he would marvel at how he felt when she looked at him like he personally hung the moon just for her. She made him feel like Superman, Batman and Spider-Man all rolled into one potent superhero who was born to love her and only her.
She sat up and accepted the coffee mug from him. “Thank you.”
“You slept good?”
“Really good. You?”
“Surprisingly well, all things considered.”
“You mean after having to rescue your girlfriend, or whatever I am, from the edge of disaster?”
“Yes, and you’re most definitely my girlfriend.” He leaned in to kiss her, and she turned away.
“Not when I have morning coffee breath!”
“I don’t care.”
“I do!” She put down the mug, got out of bed and went into the bathroom, where she made a big production out of brushing her teeth. When she returned to the bed, she crawled toward him on her hands and knees and kissed him.
Landon pounced, rolling her under him and making her scream with laughter as he kissed her neck and all her ticklish spots.
“I surrender,” she said, gasping for air.
“Morning.”
She looked up at him, her expression open and approachable and trusting, all things that had taken time for her to give him. “Morning.”
“I like making you laugh.”
“I’m not sure anyone else could make me laugh after what happened last night.” She shuddered.
“Don’t think about it. It’s over and done with. Everything is fine.”
“I was so afraid I’d die before I got to see Stella and to tell you how I feel about you.”
“Tell me again. I’m not sure I remember.”
She smiled. “You do, too.”
He shook his head. “I can’t recall.”
“I love you, Landon Abbott.”
“I love you, too, Amanda Pressley.”
“I don’t know your middle name.”
“Matthew. What’s yours?”
“Elizabeth.”
“I like that.”
“I like you.” She cupped his face and brought him down for another kiss. “Make love to me, Landon.”
“I can’t think of anything I’d rather do.”
They were the last ones to arrive at the store to meet the bus that would take them to Boston. Amanda was greeted by hugs from every member of the Abbott family, or so it seemed, each of them expressing concern and gratitude that she was all right after the accident.
“Now we have something else in common, besides dating identical twins,” Dani said when she took her turn to hug Amanda.
“I’d rather not have that in common,” Amanda said as she held out a finger to Savannah.
The baby grabbed hold and squeezed. It amazed and delighted her to realize that she’d get to see Savannah and Caden and Callie grow up.
“I know, right? Scary business. We’re so glad you’re okay.”
“Thank you. I guess we both have a lot to learn about driving in Vermont.”
“For sure.”
Elmer stepped up to hug her.
“I’m fine,” she told him. “I promise. I was just a little shaken up.”
“Mud can be as slippery as ice sometimes,” Elmer said.
“I found that out.”
He kissed her cheek. “We’re just glad you’re all right, sweetheart.”
“Thanks for all the concern.”
“All right, everyone,” Lincoln said, clapping his hands to get their attention. “All aboard for Boston!”