Ivy immediately perked up her ears and held her breath.

The sound of a wheelchair rolling closer stopped at the bedside. A slight rustling followed, and then a warm, slightly damp body slipped under the covers beside her.

"Turn around."

Ethan lay next to her, his voice calm and steady.

Under the dim, warm glow of the bedside lamp, Ivy could make out the deep intensity in his eyes—dark and unreadable, as if he was in no rush at ...