After a beat, Iona turned off the lamp. “Sleep well, Elias. I’ll be here if you need me.”
One of these days, he hoped to wrap his arms around this woman as he fell asleep. Not yet, though. They had a job to do. When it was finished, Elias would start his campaign to make them a permanent couple.
He thought that he’d lie awake and plot his next moves to win Iona’s heart. Turned out his exhausted body dragged him down into sleep before he realized what was happening.
Elias woke six hours later, astonished that he’d slept until sunrise. He sat up and took stock of how his body felt. A little beat up, but not bad overall. He could tell, however, that the pain medication had worn off because his shoulder throbbed, warning of greater pain if he didn’t head it off.
He grabbed a fresh set of clothes and went into the bathroom. Too many minutes later, he left the room and went in search of a teammate to change his bandage and help him with his shirt.
When Elias stepped into the living room, Noah turned from his post at the front window. His friend studied his face for a moment before giving a slight nod. “You look better.”
“The sleep helped.” What else could he say? That was the truth, as much as he hated to admit it. “I need help changing the bandages.”
“Violet’s in the kitchen with her mike bag. She’s been waiting for you.”
He walked into the kitchen with his shirt in hand.
The medic glanced up and smiled. “You look better.”
“So I’ve heard. I need my bandages changed.”
She motioned to the bar stool beside her. “Have a seat.” Violet unzipped her bag and pulled out the supplies she needed. When everything was laid out, the medic removed Elias’ bandages and examined his wound. She poked and prodded and finally bandaged his shoulder. “Looks good, Elias. I prescribe more good food and a full night’s sleep.”
“We’ll see.” He couldn’t let his teammates cover for him indefinitely. Pulling his own weight was non-negotiable.
Elias stilled. Great. Nothing like having his childhood rear its ugly head. “I’ll do whatever you think is best for my recovery.”
Violet stared. “Who are you and what have you done with the real Elias Knight?”
He snorted. Yeah, shocked him, too. Not his favorite recovery plan. Sitting around doing nothing drove him nuts. “I’m not that bad.” But he totally was. Elias was man enough to admit it to himself.
“Right.” Violet zipped her mike bag and disposed of the medical detritus. “Would you like coffee?”
“Is the sky blue?” He narrowed his eyes. “Wait a minute. Who made the coffee?”
She laughed. “You’re safe. I poured the pot Grant made down the drain.”
“Thank goodness. His coffee is lethal unless he’s making it in his home coffeemaker. I don’t understand that. Coffee is coffee.”
“Unless you’re Grant.” She beamed when Noah entered the room. “Elias is ready to put his shirt on.”
With her telling Noah how to help him, Elias was dressed with a minimum of pain a moment later. Nice. Now if he could just remember how she said to do that, he’d be in great shape.
“Hold out your hand,” Violet ordered. When he obeyed, she dropped two capsules into his palm. “Pain medication and antibiotic. Take them.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He opened a bottle of water and downed the medication along with half of the water.
Iona walked in. “When do we leave for the deli?”
“Any time you’re ready.”
“Need another set of hands?” Noah asked.
“I wouldn’t say no.”
Echo unit’s second in command kissed his wife. “We’ll be back.”
“Watch your back.”
