Her breaths shallowed as she listened to his words.
“I felt you holding me together. Holding me to you.”
She smiled, although the smile was a little wobbly and weak.
“You’ve put up with so much to be with me. I’m worried that you’ve decided I’m not worth it.”
She shook her head. “Don’t say that.” She took his hands in hers. “It’s not about that. I was just so afraid that I wouldn’t be able to keep you alive until help came.”
“Honey, you’re all the help I need.”
She frowned at him. “We both know that’s a lie. I couldn’t do the surgery to… to save your life.”
“No, but I knew that you wanted me to live. I knew if I didn’t pull through you’d never forgive me.”
She tensed up, almost pulling her hands away.
“It’s more like I’d never forgive myself.”
“You’re not a miracle worker,” he corrected her. “You did an amazing job.”
A soft knock at the door turned both of their heads.
Kate was the first one to step inside.
After her was Fire Chief Aldo Campanelli.
The Chief walked over and wrapped an arm around Harmony’s shoulders. “How are you doing?”
Crois watched her stand a little straighter and lift her chin a little higher. He knew how much Harmony admired him.
“She needs a break, Chief.”
He saw Harmony stiffen at his words.
“I’m fine!”
The Chief smiled at her and gave her arm a gentle pat. “He’s trying to take care of you, Harmony.”
“He’s the one in thr hospital bed with two entry wounds.”
Crois hadn’t seen Chief Campanelli with Harmony before.
Now he got a chance to observe their relationship.
The Chief set down his cover and walked Harmony over to thr side of the room. Crois followed them with his eyes and saw the Chief pull Harmony into a hug.
At first she kept her back ramrod straight.
Then, as he watched, she melted into it.
He heard Kate before he felt her pinch his arm.
“Don’t glare at them.”
He reached across his chest to run at thr sore spot but the stitches tightened and he had to just deal with the pain.
“I’m not glaring at them…”
