Page 67 of The Search

“I never enjoy inflicting pain.” She bent over his thigh. “You didn’t break all the stitches. This shouldn’t take long.”

“That’s good. I’ve never been good at—” He inhaled sharply as the needle went into his flesh. “I should have asked for a shot like our wolf friend.”

“I would have given you one, but I have only morphine, and you’re allergic to it.”

“Oh, shit. I knew that would come back to haunt me.”

“Just a couple more.”

Actually, it was three more before she was able to rebandage the wound. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?” she asked as she pulled up his jeans and fastened them.

“It wasn’t good.” He opened his eyes. “But since most of it was my fault, I guess I can’t complain. Could I have that coffee now? I need it.”

“Sure.” She moved toward the counter. “I could use a cup myself.”

“I can see how you would. It’s been a difficult night for you.”

She poured the coffee, gave him a cup, and then sat down on the hassock with her own. “And for you. And it wasn’t your fault that you broke open those stitches. You were trying to help Monty and then the wolf. If anyone’s at fault, it’s me.”

He shook his head. “No, my responsibility.”

“You said that before. You’re big on responsibility.”

“It’s one of the few codes I never break. Whatever I do, I shoulder the responsibility for my actions.”

She took a sip of coffee and was silent a moment. “Why did you come here, Logan?”

“Why do you think I came?”

“I don’t know. I thought it might be the medication that caused you to stumble here from a sickbed. But I can’t see you being that woozy even under drugs. So it was something else.”

“Go on.”

“Tell me.”

“I’m enjoying watching you work it out. Did I ever tell you how much I admire that fine brain of yours?”

“Don’t flatter me, Logan.”

“I wouldn’t presume. We may have had our differences, but I’ve never underestimated you.”

“Just used me.”

“That’s done. I’ll never use you again, Sarah.”

She studied his expression.

“Believe me.”

She did believe him. “If that’s true, then it narrows down the reasons you’d show up here. You made me a promise about Madden, but you wouldn’t have thought it necessary to drag yourself here to keep it.”

“I would if you’d told me you wanted it done immediately.”

“But I didn’t tell you that.” She tilted her head, thinking. “And you were more scared than I was when Monty ran out of here tonight. You were afraid something would happen to him.”

He was silent, waiting.

“Responsibility.” She met his gaze. “You were afraid someone would hurt Monty.”