She flexes them. All five respond.
“Good. No nerve damage.” I meet her eyes. “You’re going to be okay. It looks worse than it is.”
She nods, but her hands are still shaking.
Crossing to the sink, I wash my hands again, scrubbing hard until the water runs clear. The towel I drop on the counter is streaked pink. I fill a glass with water and grab strong painkillers from my med kit.
“These will help with the pain,” I say, handing both to Sadie and watching as she downs the pills.
I take her empty glass and place it in the sink. When I turn back, Sadie’s cradling her injured arm against her chest. The bandage is already showing a small red spot—normal seepage, nothing to worry about—but she’s staring at it as if it might fall apart.
“You’re good at this,” she says quietly.
“Lots of practice.” Too much practice. I don’t say that part.
She trembles. Shock is still working through her system. An adrenaline crash is coming any minute now.
Maisie whines from her spot beside the chair, nudging Sadie’s knee with her nose.
I move back to her, keeping my movements slow and predictable. “Come here, sweetheart.”
I pull her into my arms. Hold her tight. Feel her shaking against me.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I murmur. “But I’m not letting this slide. Someone took a shot, and they will answer for it.”
Tears pool in her eyes. “Jesus… I didn’t see anything.”
I press my forehead to hers. “You’re safe now. I’ve got you. They’ll never get close again.”
She breathes out, shaky. “I’m okay.”
“No,” I say gently. “But you will be.”
Maisie noses her side. Sadie gathers the dog close, burying her face in the fur as the shock trembles through her.
I let her cling until her breathing evens.
Then I ease her onto the couch, Maisie pressed close.
Once I’m sure Sadie is warm and stable, I step into the kitchen and grab my phone from the counter.
I type fast, my fingers still trembling, fury simmering under my skin.
Me:Someone took a shot at Sadie. Bullet grazed her upper arm.
The dots appear immediately.
Tank:Jesus. You need backup?
Tex:Drone picked up a heat signature on the tree line. Moving east. I’m tracking.
Tank:I’m sweeping west. Keep Sadie inside. Arm the cabin.
Tex:I’ll review the drone footage from the last three days. If anyone got close, we’ll find them.
Tex:You good? Sadie?
I stare at the screen, jaw tight. I’m nowhere near good.
