She winces when the needle hits, then watches the meter count down.
119
I exhale. “That’s good. How’re you feeling?”
“Hungry,” she says. “And mildly offended you didn’t bring home donuts after saving a life.”
I snort. “I did not have the emotional capacity to face the bakery case at midnight, thanks. Toast and eggs?”
“Sold.”
As I move around the kitchen—bread into the toaster, eggs into the pan, coffee into my bloodstream—she watches me with that quiet, thoughtful gaze she gets when she’s thinking too much.
“Was it bad last night?” she asks finally. “The call?”
“It was… intense,” I admit. “Avalanche ridge. Someone was walking too close to the edge right before it hit.”
Her eyes widen. “Were they…?”
“Alive,” I say quickly. “Barely. But yes.”
“What happened to them?”
I think of him in the clinic bed, jaw clenched, hands fisted in the blanket, dark eyes full of a grief so dense it felt like its own weather system.
I didn’t want to be rescued.You should’ve left me.
“They’re fine,” I say aloud, sliding her plate across the table. “Or they will be, if they listen to medical advice and don’t do anything else monumentally stupid.”
Violet relaxes a fraction. “Good.”
Violet relaxes a little, tension leaving her shoulders. She digs into her breakfast like nothing in the world could ruin her morning.
If only. I turn to refill my coffee—and my phone buzzes.
Silver Ridge Community Clinic.
My stomach drops.
I shoot Violet a smile. “Eat your eggs. I’m checking something quick.”
She gives me a thumbs-up, mouth full.
I tap the notification.
Subject: Winter Roof Damage & Program Status
Dear Ms. Dawson, As you know, the recent storm caused significant roof damage to the clinic. Our insurance provider has denied additional coverage for repairs beyond the initial assessment.
Due to budget constraints, we anticipate temporary suspension of several outreach and chronic-care programs beginning next month, including subsidized endocrinology services and diabetes support.
We recognize the impact—
I stop. I go back. Read it again. And again. But the words don’t change.
subsidized endocrinology services diabetes support
My throat closes.
