Part 28 (1/2)

”Those are excuses.”

Daniel didn't answer. He picked up his jacket from the sofa and slipped into it. ”I'll talk to you later.”

As he walked past, Ethan caught his arm. ”You will talk to Sarah?”

Daniel inhaled deeply, not wanting to lie.

”Why don't you admit what's really bothering you?” Ethan said before he could reply.

”What?” Daniel asked in a low voice.

”You're blaming yourself for what happened to her. You're thinking that you're the reason she had to go through this nightmare again and you can't live with that thought.”

”She's better off without me.”

”Let her make that decision.”

Daniel didn't respond and Ethan continued. ”You once told me when I was unsure about my relations.h.i.+p with Serena not to mess up something that could be good for me. I'm telling you that now-don't deprive yourself or Sarah of something that could be good for both of you.”

Daniel moved away and walked out the door heading for he knew not what. All he could see was darkness.

SARAH SPENT THE REST of the day visiting with Serena and Gran and it was exactly what she needed. Ethan came back, but he didn't say a whole lot about Daniel, just that he was going through a difficult time. He told them about Boyd's plan and a chill ran up her spine. She wanted to go to Daniel and to comfort him because she knew how much he loved his brother. She restrained herself knowing he needed this time with his family, but her heart ached for him.

Serena and Ethan left late afternoon to catch a flight back to San Antonio. It was just her and Gran again. Aurora embraced her granddaughter.

”I'm so happy you're okay, darling. I couldn't stand to lose you a second time.”

Tears filled Sarah's eyes. ”Thank you, Gran.”

”I made so many mistakes with your mother and I promised myself I wouldn't do that with Serena. She turned out so beautifully that it's hard to believe I raised her.”

”Serena's sweet and compa.s.sionate and everything a woman should be.”

Aurora stroked Sarah's cheek. ”So are you, my darling.”

Sarah smiled, feeling so much love she thought her heart would burst.

”All those years Serena was growing up, I tried not to think about you because if I did I wouldn't be able to live with myself. But now you're here in my life, and you always will be. I love you, precious granddaughter.”

”Oh, Gran.” Sarah hugged her tightly. ”I love you, too.”

Sarah was home. There was just one other place she had to be before she was completely home-with Daniel.

She stepped back. ”I'm going over to the hospital to check on the cops that were shot and a patient.” Sarah reached for her jacket.

”That's fine, darling,” Aurora said. ”I have to call my friends and let them know I'm back.”

”I'll pick up something for dinner on my way back.”

”'Bye, darling.”

MAC WAS RESTING comfortably and was expected to have a full recovery. Sarah walked down the hall to Chad's room and knocked lightly. There was no response so she pushed the door open and glanced in. Chad was propped up on pillows, his chest bandaged, and blood dripped into his arm through an IV. His heart was also being monitored. He was asleep, as was the young woman sitting by his bedside, her head resting on their clasped hands.

Sarah started to close the door when Chad opened his eyes and saw her.

”Ms. Welch,” he muttered in a weak voice.

”What?” The young woman immediately jumped up as if something was wrong.

Sarah had no choice but to enter the room.

”It's okay, honey,” Chad said. ”This is Ms. Welch, and Ms. Welch, this is Niki, my girlfriend.”

”Nice to meet you,” Sarah said, and Niki tried to smile, but Sarah could see how incredibly exhausted she was.

”Why don't you go get some coffee and something to eat,” Chad suggested.

”I...”

”I'll stay until you get back,” Sarah offered.

Niki rubbed her eyes and stood up. ”Okay. I won't be long.” She kissed Chad and quietly left.

”Gosh, Daniel said you were fine, but it's good to see with my own eyes,” said Chad.

”It's good to see you, too. The nurse said you were doing great.”

Chad glanced away. ”I should never have let Drew in the house. I just never dreamed he had anything to do with all of this. I feel so responsible-as if I've let Daniel down.”

”Don't blame yourself. I told you to let him in, remember? And if you hadn't, they'd have found a way to break in. I'm sure Daniel doesn't blame you for anything, either.”

”I suppose.”

Sarah thought she should change the subject. ”I like Niki.”

Chad raised his eyes. ”She's been here since they brought me in. My friends and parents have been in and out, but Niki hasn't left and I can't get her to go home.” He looked at Sarah. ”She really loves me and we talked for a long time. I guess I had to get shot to do that, and you were right, she was insecure about my feelings. I finally have this love thing figured out.”

”Have you?”

”Love is when you want to be with that person more than anyone and you're there for that person no matter what. Even if I was paralyzed, Niki would still be here. I know that beyond a doubt.”

”You have that besotted look in your eyes,” she teased.

He grinned. ”Yeah.”

They were silent for a moment.

”Daniel was here earlier and he looked like his heart had been ripped out.”

Sarah's chest tightened, but before she could say anything, Niki came back and Sarah said her goodbyes.