He opened his mouth, presumably to argue, but Clara touched his shoulder. “I’m fine, Malcolm. Go rejoin the run.”
His brows flickered. He clearly didn’t like it, but he rose and started running, Briar taking off beside him.
Clara looked back at Holden, head tilted. “You didn’t need to stay.”
“I know.” He started to slide his hands beneath her knees and back, but she gasped and pushed at his chest.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m carrying you back to my truck. I have a first aid kit in there.”
Her eyes widened. “Like hell you are. I’ll walk.”
“Clara—”
“Don’tClarame.” She went to push up, and he growled and took her arm to help her. “You showed up when I asked you not to. You stayed with me when I told you I was fine. You arenotcarrying me back against my wishes as well.”
“I’m trying to look out for you.”
“Because you think I can’t look after myself?”
He took a second longer than he should have to answer, and that was all it took for hurt to cut across Clara’s features. She started walking back the way they’d come.
He took several long strides to catch up. “Because I care about you.”
Some of the anger slipped from her features. “You don’t play fair.”
“Never said I did.”
As they walked back, they cut through the side streets. The entire way, he itched to slip his arm around her waist and shoulder some of her weight. But he already knew he’d get an elbow to the gut.
“Do you carry a first aid kit everywhere?” she asked.
“Yep. Never know when I might hammer my finger instead of a nail.”
She snorted, and immediately her cheeks went a pretty pink shade.
He grinned. “What? You don’t think I can hammer my finger instead of a nail?”
“I think if you’re coordinated enough to be one of the deadliest, best-trained soldiers in the world, then you wouldn’t be taken down by a meager hammer.”
“Uh-huh, but you see, a lot of damage can be done with a hammer.”
“Is that right?”
“Oh yeah. Swing it with enough impact and some serious harm occurs, especially aimed at soft tissue.”
Her brows dipped. “I’ll remember that.”
“If you ever need to use a weapon like that for self-defense, attack joints like knees and elbows, or pressure points like wrists, to immobilize or disarm an attacker.”
“I won’t—”
“You might. Everyone should know at least basic self-defense.”
She looked away from him.
When they finally reached his truck, she sat on the grass while he got his first aid kit.
