of a heart monitor and the clean

d my eyes and saw Caleb, the bartender f

oftly. "You gave

get here?" I ras

n. "I was in the neighborhood and decided to check on you. I saw you

ught tears to my eyes. He had no reason to care, y

I was comfortable, and even went out and brought back a

p," he said, breaking off a small

astry felt more intimate than anything I had shared w

bite, the hospital

bout my severe reaction, told him about the "nice young man" who saved me. I saw it all in

eb's hand, holding the

snarled, striding into the r

your wife couldn't breathe," Caleb said, his

hony spat, turning his fury on

and standing up to his full height. "I don't think she wants me to leave. Bes

ntion of his private, cruel words, thrown back at h

roared, lung

th a speed and precision that was startling. He didn't fight back; he simply sidestepped

d, his tone dropping, losing all its bartende

ger at me. "You'll regret this, Gabby. I'll ruin your father. I'll make sure

abandoned me. The man whose actions led to the destruction o

us gaze with a

t," I