And with that, while my insides froze solid in stunned surprise at hearing these words, and Harlow whispered, “Oh my,” and Shanti muttered, “Well, all right,” Cheyenne marched away.
My head screamed, Don’t go see him!
My heart had other ideas.
Therefore (because I might be learning, but I hadn’t actually learned), I got up and started walking.
I stopped and turned to look at Mace. “Do we know what room he’s in?”
“Three west,” Mace said.
I turned and started to hoof it to wherever three west might be.
At the T of the hall, I began to go left, but Cap called, “Right!”
Okay, I should have paid attention to where Cheyenne headed. Then again, I didn’t think my feet would be taking me in this direction, and as a rule, I tried not to pay too much attention to Cheyenne.
I shifted right.
Three rooms in, to the right again, was three west.
I stopped at the door.
He wants you.
I felt my heart flutter, and I took a breath to prepare for what I might see.
He wants you.
I pushed open the door.
When I entered and saw Knox in the hospital bed, I was surprised.
I was ready to witness tall, built, handsome, vital Knox Chambers with a tube down his throat, more in his arms, his skin pale, his affect haggard.
He was none of these.
So he was a little pale.
But mostly, he just looked asleep.
Just asleep in a hospital bed with the covers folded carefully over his boxed abs, his magnificent and perfectly hairy chest bare, his shoulder bandaged, an IV in his arm, and one of those heart monitor thingies on his finger.
That was it.
He looked like he could get up, tug on some clothes and take a hike or go for a run.
Okay, so he’d have to cool it and not go gung-ho due to what was under those bandages.
But still.
Jesus.
I mean, what was with these Nightingale guys?
I walked to the side of his bed and whispered, “Hey.”
His eyelids rimmed by those beautiful fans of dark lashes didn’t even flutter.
