Jessie’s lips moved with his and he realized it was a good thing they hadn’t allowed themselves to share this intimacy before now, because Robert didn’t want to stop. He never wanted to let her go.
Jessie gasped and pulled back. She put both hands on her stomach. “The baby’s moving. What a relief.”
“Are you sure?” He put his large hand near her belly and paused. She took it and pressed it to the right side of her abdomen. After a moment, a soft bump tapped his palm, and something expanded in his chest.
A smile took over his face. “I felt him. That’s so cool.” His smile faded. “I’m glad he’s okay, but you’re still going to the hospital.” Squeezing the button on the radio clipped to his collar, he radioed Janice giving her a report of the situation and requested two ambulances.
“What about you?” She asked. When he frowned at her, she pointed to his arm. “You need to go to the hospital too.”
Robert raised his sleeve and winced. He was so relieved Jessie was okay that he’d blocked out the burning in his shoulder. But now, it felt like someone pushed a hot branding iron into his skin.
“It’s just a flesh wound.” His voice came out tighter than he intended.
“Yeah, that’s what they always say...in the movies.” Then her voice grew serious. “But this isn’t a movie.”
“No, this isn’t a movie, and it hurts like crazy, but tell me...” He gently stroked her bruised cheek. “Do I at least get the girl?”
Jessie wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for another kiss.
Robert needed no more invitation than that. He gathered her in his arms and got lost in her kiss.
Chapter 40
Robert’s Uncle James, also known as Dr. Young, tied off the last stitch and clipped the thread. “I kept the stitches small, but with ten of them, you’re going to end up with a nice scar.”
Just what Robert needed, a reminder of how close he’d come to losing Jessie today. He shifted to slide off the table, but Uncle James stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
“Thank you.” When Robert frowned in confusion, Uncle James continued. “I’m sure you’re smart enough to realize, if you hadn’t put your vest on...” He looked at the ugly bruise on Robert’s left pectoral, right below where his badge usually rests. “I’d be doing your autopsy tonight instead of stitching up your shoulder.”
Robert acknowledged his uncle’s words with a nod. And sent another silent “thank you”heavenward. It wasn’t the first he’d sent today, and it wouldn’t be the last. He had so many things to be grateful for tonight.
He thanked his uncle, then slipped out of the ER. He needed to find Jessie.
“Robert!” Uncle James called him back. “Wait a second.” He ducked into a nearby room and came out a few seconds later with a blue scrub top. He tossed it at Robert. “You better cover up or you’ll have all the nurses swooning and wanting to tend to your wounds.”
Robert laughed as he caught the shirt. For all his uncle’s seriousness, he had a cool sense of humor.
Less than a minute later, Robert knocked on the door of Jessie’s hospital room before slowly opening it. His heart raced at the sight of her sitting on the bed.
“How are you?” he asked.
“I’m fine.” She smiled, and his heart skipped a beat. She was so incredibly beautiful.
He sat on the edge of her bed. She scooted over, making more room for him, and he claimed it.
“If that were the case, the paramedics wouldn’t have insisted on bringing you to the hospital.”
She looked fine other than the bruises on both cheeks, including a small butterfly bandage over her right cheekbone. But her blood pressure had been high, so the paramedics had insisted she go to the hospital.
Watching her leave in the ambulance had been hard, but he was glad someone was looking after her. Especially since he had to stay behind and give a statement to the Pasco police and fill out the mountain of paperwork every cop faced after firing their side arm.
He’d been sure in his written testimony to specify that Pendleton had been about to strike Jessie over the head with the heavy ceramic lamp. A blow that could have killed her. Jessie shooting her husband was clearly self-defense.
“Yeah, well after a good night’s rest, I’m sure my blood pressure will be fine.” She picked up a paper from the bedside table and handed it to him. “And I have ultrasound proof that the baby is fine, too.”
Robert took the picture and stared at the grainy black-and-white image. He’d never seen an ultrasound picture—except the one Jake had so proudly shown him last month. When his brother had pointed out the head and balled up fists, Robert had to hold back a laugh. Because he couldn’t make sense of what Jake was so proud of. But in this picture, he recognized what must surely be the baby’s head and the bones in his legs bent up close to his chest. He also had one tiny hand by his face, waving.
Robert counted five tiny, perfect fingers. The feeling of expansion he’d experienced at the motel pressed against his chest again, stealing his breath. He locked gazes with Jessie, letting his hand hover over her abdomen, seeking permission to touch her.
