KIM BALDWIN. A tear fell and landed on Gable’s chest

A tear fell and landed on Gable’s chest.

“Oh, Erin.” Gable’s insides were twisted in knots.

“When he sobered up, he let me go, begging and pleading for forgiveness. I called the cops and got a restraining order and a lawyer.

Phil was facing a lot of serious charges, but the prosecutor wasn’t optimistic the jury would convict him. I was still married to him, after all.” Another long pause.

“My lawyer worked a deal. Phil granted me a divorce and agreed to leave me alone, and I agreed not to press charges. I moved again the next day.” She exhaled. A long, slow release of air, announcing her relief at F nishing the story. “I looked over my shoulder for a long time, but I never heard from him again. So now you know,” she concluded. “I haven’t let myself think about those times very much. Too depressing.

But Karen is helping me to get past the pain and move forward.”

“I’m so sorry, Erin, that you had to endure so much,” Gable whispered.

Erin shifted so that she could meet Gable’s eyes for the F rst time since she’d started her story. “I’m sorry I’ve been living in the past. I’ve let it haunt me much too long.”

She kissed Gable—a sweet, soft kiss on the lips.

“Ahem!” the duty nurse interrupted from the doorway. It was the same nurse who had f irted with Gable the last time she was hospitalized.

They broke apart, both turning deep red in embarrassment, but the nurse just chuckled. She checked Gable’s IV and then turned to go.

“Since you’re the talk of the hospital today, I’ll pretend not to notice that visiting hours ended a while ago. Call if you need anything. Although I would say you seem pretty content at the moment.” She winked at them and pulled the door closed as she left the room.

“I should let you get some sleep,” Erin said, settling back against Gable’s side.

“Thank you for telling me,” Gable whispered.

“I trust you, Gable. In a way I’ve never been able to trust anyone before.”

“That’s the way I feel about you too,” Gable said.

“I know that, honey. You’ve been very patient with me, and I appreciate it. I know that you’d never do anything to hurt me.” She began caressing Gable’s stomach with her hand.

It was lulling. Gable’s eyes closed.

“And I know I couldn’t imagine life without you,” she said.

“I’m glad to hear that,” Gable replied drowsily.

“Still got that ring?”

Gable was instantly awake again. Did I hear what I just thought Iheard? “Yes.” She held her breath.

“I’m ready to talk about that now. Well not now, necessarily.

Maybe we should wait until we have a little more privacy and all, and you’ve had a chance to think about whether you still want to. I mean, if you don’t still want to, I’ll understand…” She rambled on, uncertain.

“Oh, I want to, love. I want that more than anything,” Gable said, her voice breaking as they held tight to one another.

“I love you,” Erin said. “And I like saying it.”

“Good.” Gable kissed her very softly. “Because I want to hear it forever.”

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