“What are you talking about?”
“Jace, I’ve known you my whole life, and never once have you come here looking for somebody you helped. Other firefighters, definitely. Other first responders, sure. But never once has it been somebody you saved. She’s got you hooked, huh?”
I don’t want to get into any of this, especially when a couple of other nurses working on charts in the corner are listening and not writing a damn word.
“Is she doing okay or not?” I grind out with my clenched jaw. Trying hard not to be a complete asshole, but I don’t need any third degrees right now.I’m tired, I’m hungry, and I need a fucking shower. But most importantly, I need to check on Trouble and make sure she’s okay.
Rhonda laughs and waves her hand. “Okay, okay. Fine. But be aware, until you talk, I’m going to keep nagging.”
I roll my eyes. Of course, she’s going to. Rhonda wasn’t kidding when she said we knew each other our whole lives. She’s close friends with my sister, Gina, and even though my sister spends half her time here in Black Timber Peak and the other half with her stunt driver husband in Hollywood. Rhonda and Gina are still close and talk frequently. I’m dreading the call I’ll get from Gina and our mom soon.
Small towns and all that. Plus, Rhonda doesn’t keep juicy secrets. Even though there isn’t anything to tell. I’m only here to check on the girl who has my heart on a string and make sure she isn’t traumatized.
“Ms. Green has some serious lung damage from all the smoke. She’s on oxygen and will need to do a lot of lung rejuvenation and strengthening exercises to heal them. Her feet are blistered, but staying off them and taking care of them will heal them up quickly. Dehydration is being treated, and the saline drip is doing wonders. She’s exhausted and will be our guest for a few more days. The doctor wants to get her coughing under control before he lets her go.”
The lungs are the worst of it all, which is what I was stressed about, and I don’t enjoy hearing it’s as serious as they’re saying. But I’m relieved they’re keeping her here for a few days.
“Now, I’m only telling you this as one professional to another. Plus, she’s going to want to see you. She’s in room 206. It’s down the hall on the left.”
Leaning over the counter, I kiss her cheek and thank her before walking toward Larissa’s room. I run my hand through my hair, and when I notice the back of my hands, I groan at how dirty they are.The shower would’ve been smart. Fuck, should I have gotten her flowers too? Or a ‘get better soon’ bear?
Shit, I’m not good with these things.
Snap out of it. There’s nothing here. You’re going to step in, say a quick hello to make sure she’s okay. Appease your own mind and get the hell out of there.
With a soft tap on the door, I open it and freeze as her three friends are camped out in chairs around her hospital bed. Larissa lies peacefully, sound asleep. She looks so different, not as pale or worried, and there’s some color to her cheeks. Beautiful is what she is.
Not wanting to wake her or disturb them, I move to close the door when her friend with the injured foot says, “It’s you. Oh, yay. Thank you so much. We were hoping we would get to run into you again. Please come in.”
She’s loud and I worry about her waking Larissa up, but it’s too late since Larissa’s eyes open and she hurriedly raises the bed so she can sit up.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. And I didn’t mean to wake you. You need your rest.”
“No, please come in,” Larissa says.
I step into the room and nod at the three friends who have funny smiles on their faces and stare at me.
Nervous energy has me rubbing my hand behind my neck. “I spoke with your nurse, and it sounds like they have you well taken care of here. Just follow their instructions. Don’t want tobe dealing with lung issues for the rest of your life if you can help it.”
Damn. Since when did I sound so rough? Have I always come off this way?
The friends staring isn’t helping. And Larissa must notice because she asks her friends. “Hey guys, can you get me something to eat? I’m hungry.”
The brunette says, “But you just ate.”
The blonde friend elbows her. “Yes, of course. What would you like?”
“Oh, I don’t care. Whatever you think I’ll like.”
“Yup, no problem.” The three move to leave, the one with the hurt foot tries to get her crutches under her arms and work her way out of the room.
“I didn’t mean to kick your friends out of here.”
Larissa waves it off. “No, it’s fine. In fact, I should thank you. They’ve been extra guilt ridden this whole time, so they have been a little annoying.”
As they very well should be. Their stupidity almost got their friend killed. You killed.For whatever reason, I have the wisdom to keep my mouth shut. Which isn’t like me. But I always tell the guys, ‘Don’t say stupid shit, women don’t like it.’ So for once, I’m taking my own advice.
“I finally got a break. The fire is sixty percent contained. Our squad got a twelve-hour window for a break, and I’m on my way home.” Which I’m not. The hospital is on the opposite side of where I live on the mountain. “Thought I’d check in and see if you’re doing okay.”
