“I broke a few stitches on my way here to check on my sister,” he cut in.“But I’ll be fine.Can you tell me about Chloe?”
The nurse hesitated for a few seconds and then nodded.“Meet me at the counter, and I’ll check on your sister.”
They did.Ivy felt like it was taking forever.She tapped her finger on the counter while they waited.
“Do you want to sit?”she asked Beau after more seconds passed.“Because I can stand here while you rest.”
He was shaking his head before she had a chance to finish her sentence.
She understood.He wouldn’t want to miss a second.Seeing the nurse’s demeanor was everything when there was no other information to go on.From the opposite side of the counter, they could track her movements.
When she came back, her expression gave away nothing until she got close enough to lean over the counter.
“Your sister is going to be fine,” she said.Her nametag read: Addie.“And the baby is stable.She had a little spotting and came in to get it checked out.”
Beau exhaled a slow breath.Ivy gave herself a small smile.They were by no means out of the woods.At least Chloe and the baby would be fine.
“Can we see her?”Beau asked.
“I’m afraid not,” Addie said.“She asked me to give you a message, though.She called her husband, and he is on his way to pick her up.She wants you two not to worry about her.Said you could go ahead and leave without her.”
Beau hesitated.
“I promise she is fine,” the nurse said, lifting her hand as though swearing in court.
“Thank you, Addie,” Beau said with genuine relief in his voice.
“This next part comes from me,” Addie said, studying him.“You need to have your stitches checked out.That’s not a small amount of blood.You might as well get a doctor to take a look while you’re here.What’s the harm?”
“I appreciate your concern,” Beau said.“I really do.But this is nothing a hot shower and a good night’s sleep won’t cure.”
A shower and bed sounded like heaven to Ivy.They were close to her condo, where she had all her comforts.It was a shame they couldn’t go there.Thankfully, Chloe and the baby were stable, and she would be released soon.
“Did she mention anything about what we should do with her car?”Ivy asked before they headed out.
“No,” Addie said.“I can go ask if you need me to.”
“That’s okay.”Ivy figured Chloe would have given instructions if she needed help.She turned to Beau.“Ready to get out of here?”
He nodded.His skin was pale.She needed to get him somewhere she could check his shoulder.They needed sleep and maybe some food.If not food, certainly sleep.It would work wonders for both of them.
After they turned to walk out, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.His injury had to be more serious than he was letting on, and that worried her.Not just because Clay and Royce could take advantage of his weakened state, Beau could lose consciousness while driving.
“Why don’t you let me drive us to a hotel?I know the area, and I have the perfect place in mind.”She hoped he would take her up on the offer.
It took him a few seconds to respond.
“All right,” he said.“But I hate that you’re having to drive, and I can’t.”
“You’ve done enough driving for one day, and I have yet to be behind the wheel.”She bit back a yawn.“Plus, I don’t have my ID or credit cards so we’ll need to use yours.See, you’ll be doing your part.”
He walked her to the driver’s side before taking the passenger seat and buckling in.“Do you need me to pull up an address?”
“No, I have this on lock,” she said.“We’re in my stomping grounds now.”At least she had that.Knowing the area would give her an advantage,hadgiven her an advantage.As much as she wished Chloe was already safely on her way back to Saddle Junction, she was resting in a secure facility.That was something to be grateful for in addition to the health news.“You can rest your eyes if you want.”
“I’m good.”He’d leaned his head on the headrest.
“We’ll be there in five minutes.”At least at this time of night, traffic wasn’t a complete tangle of vehicles.She hoped it was safe to assume Clay and Royce were somewhere sleeping or, better yet, had left Austin altogether.
