"It's probably not as exciting, but lately there have been several calls, not just involving Walter, where I wanted to do more follow-up than I'm allowed to do. Anyway, it's just something I'm thinking about."
"You'd be good at it. Your empathy with Walter is impressive."
She was touched by the compliment. "Thanks, I…" She shrugged, not sure what else she wanted to say because she was better at giving praise than taking it.
"What?" he asked, his gaze meeting hers. "What were you going to say?"
"I don't know. I guess I'm torn between playing an empathetic and supportive role and handling a possible life and death crisis."
"How did you get into being a paramedic?"
She wanted to get to know more about him, but once again she was answering questions instead of asking them. But if it helped him to trust her, then she'd go down that road.
"My mom got cancer when I was ten. One day she was so weak that she fell and cut herself badly. There was so much blood, I was terrified. I was the only one home. I called 911 and the paramedics came. The female medic wrapped a tourniquet about my mom's arm, and she saved her life." Clearing her throat, she wished the memories of that day weren't indelibly printed in her brain, but they were. "She still ended up dying a year later, but she didn't die that day, and I was grateful for that. I knew that when I grew up, I wanted to do something that could save someone's life, and that's why I ended up where I am."
Understanding filled his gaze. "And that's why you're torn about leaving a position where you are helping someone in crisis versus moving to a position where it's perhaps less intense but more satisfying in the long run?"
"That's a good summary. Any thoughts on what choice I should make?"
"I can't make decisions about my life, much less yours."
"Speaking of your life, I have some questions, Jax."
Instead of immediately shutting her down, his expression darkened, and he simply said, "I know."
"Will you talk to me?"
"At some point, yes."
"Is that point now?"
He slowly shook his head.
"Okay," she said, feeling like she'd at least breached one wall, small though it might be.
"Okay," he echoed in surprise. "That's it?"
"For now." Although she wanted to know more about him, she couldn't force it, and she did need to take a nap before she went to work.
As they got into the car, Jax suddenly swore. Following his gaze, she saw a man with a large camera across the street, and he appeared to be taking photos of them.
Jax started the car and pulled out of the parking spot with a squeal from the tires.
She'd barely finished fastening her seat belt as he raced down the street. "What the hell is going on?" she demanded, bracing her hand on the door as he took a fast turn around the corner.
"He's following us. We have to lose him."
"Lose him?" she echoed. "Lose who?"
Jax didn't seem to hear her. "Can't go back to Ocean Shores. Gotta go somewhere else."
She didn't know if he was speaking to her or to someone else. She made a split decision. "There's a hidden beach only the locals know about. Take the next left."
He shot her a quick look and then refocused his attention on the road, making another fast turn. She gave him more directions as she checked the sideview mirror and saw a car following them. But she knew this area better than anyone else. She drove these streets every day.
"There's a warehouse coming up around the next corner. Turn down the driveway. It comes out on the opposite street."
Jax didn't question her, just did as she told him, driving fast and with confidence, which she was grateful for. As he turned down the driveway, she pointed him to the exit and then down some winding roads until they reached a small beach parking lot with room for about three cars. It was hidden from the road above and completely empty. He backed into a spot under one of several tall trees, and they waited for several minutes in tense silence.
