She wouldn’t leave Damon Tillman any more than she would leave James had he been beneath her hands. Not when she could still help. Not when there was still hope.
But James could be the one who needs you now, up there, Rose couldn’t help but think.And you’re here with someone who hated you so much.
Rose didn’t hesitate, despite herself.
In fact, a part of her believed that James would tell her to do the same.
Still, it hurt.
Rose screamed out in anger and fear and anguish and exhaustion.
She called James’s name again, absolutely certain that Lloyd had used one shot to end him. A shot that he never would have taken had Rose stayed with him at the hospital.
Rose’s body was wracked by sobs.
She didn’t feel Damon move at first because of it.
Then she realized her hands were moving without her.
Rose held her breath and looked down.
Damon was coughing, water spewing from his mouth.
Then his eyes opened.
Rose let out a breath that absolutely shook.
Then she was scrambling to her feet.
“Don’t move, help is on the way,” she yelled down at him.
Rose stumbled her way up and away from the pond and ran to the patio with everything she had.
Then everything she had quickly met a wall.
She blinked into the impact before realizing it was her wall.
James said something—she was sure of it—but she didn’t hear a word.
Rose collapsed against him.
His arms were warm and strong as they held her up.
In the last week—in the last day—the world had gotten loud, messy and complicated.
But right then, Rose felt only him.
* * *
NIGHT FINALLY FELL.
The Seven Roads Motel was empty again. James’s house was not.
Sheriff Weaver’s badge was on his hip, but his hands were around a beer. It had been offered to him once his shift had officially ended. He hadn’t had any sip of it, but then again, James also hadn’t had a drink of his either. Instead, they were on the back porch looking out at the field of tall grass.
They had been sitting in silence a bit while they waited for the sheriff’s wife to finish seeing about Rose. Both women were upstairs in the guest bedroom. Without being asked the men had given them space.
That morning had been a lot.
