Harper wrung her hands together as she paced back and forth in the hallway outside Emmett's room.She'd always hated hospitals.This one was better than most that she'd been in, but it still smelled the same.
She reached the end of the short hallway and turned around.She needed a drink.She knew there was a cafeteria somewhere, but she didn't want to venture that far away from Emmett.And besides, she doubted they'd serve the kind of drink she needed.
She glared at the door as she passed Emmett's room, resenting that Trip was in there with him and she wasn't.Okay, so Trip was a doctor, but that wasn't the point—she needed to know how he was.Deacon was on his way, and he’d be allowed in there too, and sure, Deacon was the sheriff, but again, that wasn't the point.She wanted to be with Emmett.
Just as she was about to turn around again and begin her march back toward his room, she froze when she heard, "Harper, are you okay?"and spun around to see Shelley hurrying toward her, looking worried.
"Me?I'm fine.It's Emmett.He's there in that room."She pointed at the door accusingly."Shelley, he's been shot, and from the way he was moving—or barely able to—I'd say he's got some broken ribs as well.And who knows what else.I don't know what happened to him before I arrived, but the guy who broke in..."She inhaled sharply."Shelley, he was only a boy."
Her best friend held her arms out to her, but Harper shook her head.There'd be time for comfort later—once she knew Emmett was going to be all right.
"You know I love you, Shelley Bells."
Shelley gave her a grim smile."I do, and as soon as you're ready for a hug, I'm here, okay?"
"I know, but Shelley, he was only a boy."
"Never mind that, he could have killed you both."
Harper closed her eyes for a moment."Believe me, I know.That's the second time in my life I've stared down the barrel of a gun, and I hope to God it's the last."
Shelley reached out to touch her arm."Me too.But, are you okay?"
"I told you, I'm fine," she said impatiently, before taking a deep breath and smiling."Sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you."
"Don't apologize, it's understandable."
"And to answer your question, I am okay.There's not a scratch on me.It's just...Emmett.I want to see him; Ineedto see him—just for a minute.I need to know that he's all right.Of course, Trip's in there with him.But I wish that I..."
They both turned when a large, angry-looking man in a cowboy hat approached."You're Shelley, right?"
"I am.Oh, you’re Blane, aren’t you?"
The man nodded curtly."Where is he?"
Harper jabbed a finger toward Emmett's door."He's in there, but..."
Blane didn't wait for her to finish.He strode toward the door, knocked sharply twice, and went inside.
Harper let out an indignant huff and hurried after him.
"Hang on a minute, Harps..."
"No way," she said indignantly."If he can go in, so can I."
She pushed through the door after Blane, with Shelley hot on her heels.
As soon as she laid eyes on Emmett, something inside her settled.He didn't look great.He was propped up against the pillows, his face tight with pain.Bruising was already starting to creep across the right side of his face, but he looked remarkably...well, that was the only word she could think of.Yes, he was battered and bruised, but he didn't look like someone who was sick.
The sound of his deep chuckle brought her gaze up to meet his.She had to laugh as he drew the sheet up to cover his naked chest."You might want to avert your eyes, lady.This isn't a pretty sight."
Harper was surprised at herself when a laugh bubbled up and escaped her lips.She put her hands on her hips and did her best to glare at him."If you want to know the truth, it might just be the most beautiful sight I've ever seen."
She only realized how that sounded when every head in the room swung to look at her.She waved a hand at them."Come on, guys.What I mean is, not that long ago, he was in danger of becoming a dead body before my eyes, not a..."She smiled as she let her gaze run over his still sculpted, if currently battered and bruised, chest."Fit one."
She was relieved when Emmett chuckled again."It's only thanks to you that I'm not a dead body."
She waved her hand again."That's not true and we both know it."She took a step toward the bed.
