There’s nothing a former ER nurse knows better than what to expect in an emergency. But none of that had prepared Kathryn for this.
The body does strange things in a state of shock. Hers stayed numb as her hands took over, going through the motions of saving Jake’s life. Her reactions and emotions were shut off, allowing her medical training to take over. At least, long enough for the ambulance to arrive.
Knowing too well what would come, her brain ticked off the steps.
Ambulance ride? Twenty minutes.
Surgery prep? Almost no time if the team was ready.
Surgery? She couldn’t know for sure. An hour. Maybe two. Damage to the body would dictate that. Bleeding would be a big concern, but could be controlled to some degree with a transfusion.
Other potential variables she considered ratcheted her worry higher—damaged organs, broken bones, spinal impact.
Each breath nearly choked her. Every minute seemed to stand completely still.
And then, there was Art. Barely a scratch on him. Hollow-eyed, his sadistic grin was too much. The bastard enjoyed the pain he’d inflicted, like a sick motherfucking serial killer. She turned away, wholly unsatisfied as the officers carted him off to jail.
At the hospital, Detective Delaney stayed by her side until her friends arrived to take over. Rubbing her hand. Forcing sips of water on her. Being there in a way that had nothing to do with medicine, and everything to do with helping their best friend. But she barely noticed them.
All she saw were the swinging doors that Jake had been taken through. The ones that anyone with news would return from. Unwavering, her stare stayed fixed on them.
And with every blink, visions of his body lurked at the front of her mind. Lifeless. Colorless. Almost . . . dead.
Finally, she caved, overcome with all the emotions she’d suppressed. Sobbing, she broke down as her friends huddled around her, comforting her as best they could without a word.
But Jake had been there before, blazing through death’s door to return to life. To her.
Come back, Jake. I need you.