Her Bad Boy Billionaire Lover (Billionai)

chapter Ten



"Never saw anything like it," said a man who'd watched the whole thing happen. "He threw himself right in front of that truck and saved their lives. Guy's a hero, if you ask me."

The policeman nodded, writing down the information in an official-looking pad. "Driver was under the influence," he said with a shake of his head. "Never saw the woman and her little girl."

"Most amazing thing I ever saw," said the witness. "Not too many heroes in this world. Wish I could shake that guy's hand and tell him so."

A hero, Megan thought numbly as she stood in the hallway and watched the emergency room doctors working on Jake. For as long as she could remember she'd been looking for a hero and he'd been there right under her nose all the time.

"Mommy, what's going to happen to him?" Jenny, blessedly unscratched, stood next to Megan, her golden eyes wide with fright. "Will he die?"

"He wouldn't dare," Megan said, fighting back her tears. "Not now."

"He jumped right in front of the truck, mommy, like he wasn't afraid of anything in the whole world."

"I know," Megan whispered. "And he did it for us."

"Ma'am." A doctor appeared at her side. "We'd really like to take a look at that bump on your head."

Megan brushed him away. "I'm fine. Worry about Jake."

"You're going to have one nasty bruise." The doctor observed her more closely. "And a black eye if I don't miss my guess."

"Later," she said. "I'll worry about it later." She didn't care if she had two black eyes. Nothing mattered. All she could do was watch as the doctors mumbled over Jake's still body in the next room, whispering things she didn't want to understand.

"Mommy, I want to stay with you." Jenny's eyes seemed too large in her pale face.

"I know you do, honey, but I think you should go visit with Aunt Ingrid for a while."

"But I just saw Aunt Ingrid before."

"Maybe you could watch Charlie nurse."

"What if Jake wakes up and wants to see me?"

"If he does I'll come and get you."

"Really?"

"You have my word."

Miguel showed up a few minutes later to take Jenny upstairs.

"How is he?" Miguel asked quietly, so Jenny wouldn't hear.

Megan shook her head. "I don't know."

"We're praying for him, Meg. For both of you."

She blinked back tears. "Thanks, Miguel, but Jake needs them more than I do."

Miguel took Jenny's hand and they disappeared down the corridor toward the elevator bank. She was so little, so innocent. So sure that life would hand her nothing but roses.

Megan closed her eyes against the image of Jake lying motionless in the street...of Jenny standing next to him, crying as if her heart would break.

So many mistakes. Such a terrible misuse of time. Her mind leapfrogged wildly over the missed opportunities and each one was a knife in the heart. They belonged together, the three of them, and now all she could do was pray they'd have the chance. They could have lived these past six years as a family, building memories that would warm them against the cold winds of fate.

If only she hadn't walked out on him at the first sign of trouble.

If only he hadn't been living in La Mirada when she tried to find him.

If only they'd told each other the truth the first night on the Sea Goddess--

The list of "if only's" was endless and it didn't change a thing.

When you came down to it, all you had was the moment. This brief fleeting instant in time that was gone before you drew your next breath.

All she wanted was another chance. One more opportunity to tell him what was in her heart, what had been in her heart from that very first moment when she saw him on the beach in Key West and fell in love.

She paced the length of the waiting room, unmindful of the cut on her knee or the bruises that were blossoming on her hip. She had to keep moving. If she kept moving she'd be able to stay one step ahead of the fear building inside her. She willed her strength into his body, willed her love into his heart.

A lifetime seemed to pass by the time the doctors left Jake's side and approached her.

"Mrs. Lockwood?"

She nodded. This was hardly the time to get technical. "H-how is he?"

The doctor, a slim black woman, sighed. "I wish I could say with some certainty but I can't."

"You can't! What do you mean you can't? You're a doctor, aren't you? You have to know what's--"

The doctor placed a hand on Megan's forearm. "He's unconscious. His vital signs are strong. We've found nothing wrong beyond some broken ribs and a compound fracture of the right leg."

"But he's unconscious. Why is he still unconscious?"

"He sustained a trauma, Mrs. Lockwood. Determining the extent of the trauma takes time. It may be nothing more than a simple concussion. We're going to take him up for an MRI. We'll know a great deal more after that."

"I have to see him," she said. "I want to talk to him." There's something I have to tell him...something I should have told him a long time ago....

The doctor sighed. "As you wish. But please don't expect a response."

The doctor led her into the room.

"He looks like he's sleeping," Megan said, choking back her tears.

"I can only give you a minute with him. They're waiting upstairs to run the MRI."

Megan placed her hand against Jake's cheek. She smiled at the faint scratch of his beard against her palm. Bending down she kissed his forehead. His skin was warm against her lips and a crazy feeling of hope grabbed hold of her and wouldn't let go.

"You'll do anything for attention, won't you, Jake Lockwood? Throwing yourself in front of a moving vehicle like you're some Aussie superman." She forced a laugh. "Can't you find a better way to get the women to notice you?"

Nothing. No response at all.

Was it over? Was it possible that she'd never have the chance to tell him how she felt?

Next to Megan the doctor cleared her throat. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Lockwood, but the orderlies are here to take Mr. Lockwood up to x-ray."

"One more minute," she begged, unable to tear her eyes away from him. "Please."

The doctor stepped aside again.

Megan placed her lips against Jake's ear. "I love you," she whispered, putting her heart and soul into those simple words. Praying for their healing power to work their magic one more time. "I've never stopped loving you, not for a second. And I know Jenny will love you just as much when we tell her--"

"Wh-when?"

She looked up at the doctor. "Did you hear that?"

The doctor nodded. The expression in her eyes was unmistakable. "Say something more to him."

"Jenny thinks you're a hero, Jake. When I tell her you're her father, she'll--"

"When we t-tell her...."

Her breath caught as his eyelids twitched then slowly opened. "Oh, God, Jake! You heard me!""

"M-more than that...you said s-something else...."

She couldn't help it. She threw back her head and she started to laugh. "I love you, Jake Lockwood! I love you, I love you, I love you!"

He motioned for her to move closer, then closer still. "I love you, Meggie...."

She'd heard the words before but somehow they had never sounded as sweet as they did at that moment.

"Shh," she said, kissing him on the mouth. "You don't have to say it. You showed me." Many men talked of love but few understood its deepest meaning. Jake had put his own life on the line so that she and Jenny could live. If there was a better way to say "I love you," she couldn't imagine what it was.

"Jenny...is she--"

"She's fine," Megan managed through her tears as the attendants came to take him to x-ray. "Thanks to you."

"T-tell her," he said, his eyes closing. "Tell her...."

"We'll tell her together," Megan said as the attendants wheeled him from the room.

The two of them.

The way it should be.



#



The MRI showed nothing beyond the broken ribs and fractured leg.

"He's a fortunate man," the doctor told Megan the next afternoon. "Must've been born under a lucky star."

Jenny tugged at Megan's hand. "Does that mean Jake was born outside?"

Megan and the doctor laughed.

"No, honey," said Megan. "That means God was watching over him." She turned to the doctor. "It's okay if we go in to see him now?"

"Absolutely. He's not terribly happy with his leg in traction. He could use some company."

"Jake's my friend," said Jenny, clutching a bouquet of flowers in one hand and her stuffed kangaroo in the other. "He said he wants me to visit him."

"I'm sure he does," said the doctor, patting Jenny on the head. "You can go in whenever you like."

Now that the moment was finally here, Megan's hands began to tremble. There was no telling how Jenny would react when they broke the news to her. Children never quite behaved the way you thought they should--or even in the way you expected.

She bent down to fix the collar of Jenny's splashy yellow dress. "Remember what I told you about broken legs?"

Jenny nodded solemnly. "Jake's leg is in a swing and I can't play with it."

"That's right." She touched her daughter's cheek. "All of those contraptions might look a little scary, Jenny, but it's all part of what will make Jake get well faster."

"Can we go see him now?"

Megan swallowed hard. "Yes," she said, squaring her shoulders. "I guess this is as good a time as any."

"Jake!" Jenny exploded into the room like a cannonball.

Megan's heart turned over inside her chest. Jake looked like a misplaced grizzly bear. There was something about the sight of a big, exceptionally masculine man in a hospital bed that brought out all of her tender feelings. His hair was tousled. His face was beard-stubbled. His bare chest was wrapped in white bandages to bind his ribs. His leg was suspended from a contraption straight out of her nightmares.

He'd never looked more wonderful.

"Wow!" Jenny stared up at the shiny gear suspended from the ceiling. "Does it hurt?"

Jake winked at Megan. "Only when I laugh."

"Is that a joke?"

"You're a smart little sheila, I'll give you that."

"Sheila?" Jenny's brows drew together in a frown. "I know a girl named Sheila."

Megan put her arm around Jenny's shoulders. "Sometimes they call girls sheilas in Australia."

"Oh," said Jenny. "That's silly."

Megan bent down and whispered in her daughter's ear. "Don't you have something for Jake?"

Jenny nodded. "We brought you flowers," she said, handing them to Jake. "I picked them myself."

Jake grinned. "From Ingrid's backyard?"

Megan shot him a look. "From our own backyard. It's not as impressive as Ingrid's but our flowers are pretty terrific."

He took the bouquet and laid it on the bed next to him. "This is great, Jen. Maybe your mom will put them in water for me."

"Don't get used to this, Lockwood," she muttered as she searched the closet for a vase. "Once that leg is mended...."

His laughter warmed her in a way not even the Florida sun could match.

"That's a great kangaroo," Jake said, gesturing toward the stuffed toy in Jenny's arms. "Is that the one you told me about?"

Jenny nodded. "Her name is Sidney." She pushed it toward Jake. "She can be your friend in the hospital."

"You'd let me keep your favorite toy?"

Her expression was solemn. "You'd have to be real careful."

"I would be."

She pointed toward the kangaroo's mid-section. "There's something in her pouch."

Megan watched as he fished around in the felt-lined pouch then withdrew her four-leaf clover pendant. He looked up at Megan.

"You were wearing this on the ship."

"Jenny gave it to me for good luck. We both want you to hang onto it until you're on your feet again."

He started to say something but his voice caught and he coughed to cover up. Strong, independent Jake Lockwood brought to his knees by the power of love.

"Is he crying, mommy?" Jenny asked. "Do you think his leg hurts?"

Megan was finding it hard to speak herself. "Come here, honey." She sat on the chair next to Jake's bed. "Sit on my lap, okay?"

"I'm not a baby," Jenny said.

"Just this once?" Megan asked. "For me?"

With a terribly grown-up sigh, Jenny gave in and sat on Megan's lap.

Jake was inspecting the kangaroo with great deliberation. "Sidney's pretty cute," he said to Jenny.

"I know. Kangaroos are cool."

"Real kangaroos are even better."

"I never saw a real kangaroo."

He glanced over at Megan. "Never?"

Megan shook her head. Her heart was pounding so loudly she could barely hear a word they were saying.

He looked back at Jenny. "How would you like to see a real kangaroo?"

"Where?" asked Jenny. "At the zoo?"

"Not the zoo," he said. "In Australia."

Jenny leaned closer to Megan. "My mommy won't let me go far away without her."

Megan whispered a silent prayer. "What if I came along with you, honey?"

Jenny's eyes widened. "You and me and Jake?"

"Your mom and I are going to get married," Jake said, "as soon as my leg is mended and then we're going to take you with us to Australia on our honeymoon."

"Does that sound like fun to you?" Megan asked.

The little girl nodded. "Could Stace come, too?"

Megan smiled. "I think Stace should stay with her family, don't you?"

Jenny thought about that for a moment. "I guess." She looked at Jake then at Megan. "Would we be a family if we went to Australia?"

Jake chuckled but Megan could see he was still as apprehensive as she was. "It takes a little more than going to Australia to make a family. We need a wedding first."

Megan reached for Jake's hand. "Remember how I told you that your daddy and I got divorced before you were born?"

"When I was still in your tummy."

"That's right. Honey, Jake is your daddy."

The child looked at Jake with eyes filled with wonder. "Really?"

He nodded. "Really."

"Where have you been?"

"Everywhere and nowhere," said Jake, meeting Megan's eyes. "Believe me, if I'd known you were here, Jenny, there's nothing that could have kept me away."

Megan didn't even try to stem the flow of tears. "We were lost for a long time, honey, but now that we've found each other nothing will keep us apart. When we get married this time, it will be forever and ever."

Jenny looked at her father. "Are you Jake or are you daddy?"

"Daddy," he said. "Definitely daddy."

Jenny's smile could have lit up the city. "When we go to Austria can I have a kangaroo?"

Jake started to laugh. "We'll have to ask the kangaroos what they think about that, Jen."

"Kangaroos can't talk," said Jenny, easing onto the bed next to her father. "Mrs. Daniels at school says...."

It was a simple enough scene. A father and his daughter sitting together, talking about kangaroos and koala bears and kindergarten teachers.

To Megan it was the most beautiful sight on earth. The little girl she loved more than life itself and the man she'd loved and almost lost.

He was the hero of her deepest dreams, the lover of her wildest fantasies, the father of her child and before too long he'd be her husband.

And this time it would be forever.