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HER SIDE BURNED. HER ribs. She’d had broken ribs before. A few times now. Clive’s hands were no longer holding her tightly.
But Nate’s were. “Nate...I...hurt.”
“I know.” He turned, putting his body between hers and Clive Gunderson’s.
“He’s still got the gun...”
“No, honey, he doesn’t. The gun went over the cliff. Joel’s here. And the highway patrol. Clive’s in cuffs. You’re safe.”
“It went in my side. My ribs. I can’t breathe, Nate.” Her hand lifted. She just wanted to touch him for a moment. It felt like she was moving through sludge.
She understood about blood loss and shock. They’d had a few gunshot wounds in the ER during her time there—including Joel.
Joel was leaning down next to them. “Honey, it’ll be ok. I promise. Hospital is just a few minutes away.”
“And here I was hoping to enjoy my day...off. By...seducing...Nate...” All joking aside, her breathing was getting erratic. She could hear it herself. “Nate...”
“Shhh. You’re not doing any good by talking. I think it was a through-and-through. Paramedics are coming. We’ll get you to Tiff, ok? And Dr. Paterson’s on tonight. Then you and I are going to do some talking. Maybe go away for a week or two. I hear Joel knows where there’s this little cabin, perfect for me, you, and Ivy. A vacation. Just our little family.”
His hands were skilled on her. Confident. But she saw the pain and fear and worry in the eyes she loved so much. Worry for her. “I love you, Nathanial Masterson. Don’t you...forget it.”
“You’re the boss.”
He leaned down and kissed her when the paramedics she knew well made it to her side. She tried to concentrate less on the smell of her own blood and the rain and more on the man she loved.
He stepped back to give the paramedics room to get her strapped down, but as soon as they were finished, he was barking out orders at them. Always the man in charge.
Perci smiled. “Quit. They know what they...are doing...”
“You be quiet. Let me take care of you for a change.”
She closed her eyes and nodded slightly as one of the paramedics jammed a needle in her arm. Fluids were important, but damn, did it hurt. Her whole body was starting to hurt. Perci closed her eyes as Nate’s fingers closed around hers. Then she let herself go, knowing she could trust him to take care of everything.
And he always would. “I love you, Nate. I’ll never deny it again.”
She heard him say the words right back, then they were strapping an oxygen mask over her face, and she felt herself being lifted.
His fingers never let go of hers.