Joshua Healy (The Mitchell/Healy Family #10)(69)

I peer down at my hand for a second. “I don’t know what to say.”

“I do everything backwards, Tamsyn. I know the ring should come with a proposal, but as long as you’re wearing it and everyone knows you’re taken, I don’t care how long it takes for that answer, because I know one day you’ll be as ready as I am.”

“My answer will be yes. I just want to be with you, Josh,” I say loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Whatever the future holds for us, we’ll go through it together. You and I are two of a kind, and soon will have a very full, extremely messy full house.”





I’m released from the hospital three days after Christmas. In the time I’ve been indisposed, Josh has gone and moved all my things back to the farm house. Amy’s made sure I’m comfortable by picking up some extra pillows until my broken and tattered body heals.

All of my presents from Christmas have been added to the existing ones that remain under the tree. The kitchen is full of leftover pies, and I’m sure if I look in the refrigerator I’ll find even more food.

It’s nice to be able to wear normal clothes, but I’ve borrowed one of Josh’s shirts since it’s easier to put over the large collar I have to keep on for several more weeks.

After my parents leave, and it’s been a few hours, I ask Josh to take me for a walk. It’s important for me to visit the spot where it all happened.

He holds my hand as we come up on the damaged building. A tarp hangs over the exposed side where the car went through it. The gravel is still kicked up from Livvy’s rough driving. I keep it together, closing my eyes and recapping those moments where everything changed. I thought I was going to die. She wanted me gone. It’s awful.



Josh squeezes my hand to remind me he’s with me.

“I think I need to see her,” I announce.

“Yeah right. That’s not happening.”

“Josh, I need to see her. We used to be friends. It’s not just about you.”

I can tell he doesn’t want it to happen, but concedes with my wishes. “It’s a terrible idea, but whatever.”

Liv isn’t released from the hospital until the day before New Years. She’s been taken to a women’s facility for further mental monitoring. We meet Wes in the lobby and he takes me back to where visitors are allowed to be. Then we sit and wait.

She’s limping when she comes in, her hand on her stomach as if she’s still pregnant. She sees me and looks to the floor. Josh reaches for my hand. I can tell he’s ready to attack her, so I hold onto it tightly.

Livvy speaks to her brother. “This couldn’t wait?”

“Tamsyn wanted to speak to you, Liv.”

She looks at Josh for a second and then me. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Are you?” I ask.

“I know what I did was wrong. If you came here to rub it in, don’t bother.”

“I came here to tell you that I forgive you.”

Livvy glances at my hand as I speak and sees the ring I’ve yet to take off. She crosses her arms over her chest. “Wow, is that what he buys you when you almost die? That’s why you forgive me right? It got you the guy.”

“What? No. That’s not it at all.”

“Save it. You have everything. You don’t even appreciate it. That should be mine.”

She stands and begins to back away. “They say I’m nuts now. Are you happy? I lost my baby and my internship. I’m probably going to jail. Of course you forgive me.”

I grit my teeth and do my best to keep it together without pouncing on her.

Josh on the other hand, well he’s just Josh. “You owe her an apology. She’s come out here today to speak with you. Give her some respect, Liv. This is your doing.”

“I’d rather rot in a jail cell than spend another second looking at the two of you. Go on. Get out of here. Have a great life. I hope you choke on your so called happiness.”

Wes pleads with her to reconsider, but I stand and pull Josh to do the same. “We’re done here. She’s right. It’s time we move on with our lives.”

We’re halfway to the parking lot before he stops me. “You could have told her about the baby.”

“Yeah, but it would only be spiteful. I’d never use a child for revenge. She’s going to have to pay for what she’s done. I’d rather keep our pregnancy out of her business.”

“Well, was it worth the trip?” He inquires.

“Yeah. I got to look her in the eyes and show her that she can’t break me. She’ll never have the luxury of interfering again.”

“What now?” Josh asks.

“Now we go home. It’s time we got back to our lives. I think there’s a new game in your room I’d like to check out.”

“Our room,” he corrects.

I snicker. “Okay, our room.”

He opens the truck door for me and helps me inside. “What do you think about getting our own place?”

“Like moving out?”

“Yeah.”

“Where?” I’m kind of nervous. I don’t want Josh doing this just because I’m pregnant. It wasn’t planned.

“Somewhere on the family property, or close like Jake and Jax have done. We could build something and add on space if we need more later.”