Page 38 of Mountain Target

She finished the last stitch and tied off the remaining thread.

“There you go. All done.”

“Thank you.” She turned around and disposed of the equipment carefully in the different containers before realizing her hands, which had been so steady just seconds earlier, were shaking.

Beau coughed. “Are you okay?”

“Me? Yes, of course, why wouldn’t I be? I just …”

It was hard to put her fear into words. Fear that everything would collapse. Fear that—

The floor thumped as Beau stood up.

“It wasn’t your fault, Valentina.” His voice, deep and steady, brought her back from the edge. His large, weathered hand closed around her shoulder, just as he’d done up there on the mountain.

“You kept me sane,” she whispered.

“Huh?”

“Up there. You kept me safe and sane. Ren and I owe you our lives.”

“You don’t owe me anything, Valentina.”

Just then, the curtain moved. A tall red-haired man in a dark blue uniform stepped inside, stopping when he caught sight of the two of them.

Val jumped back, but it was too late. A large smile crossed the man’s lips.

“I see you’re feeling okay, Commandant,” he said in a smooth British accent. “I’ll let the team know they shouldn’t worry about you.”

Commandant?

“Shut up, Alex,” Beau said gruffly. “This is Dr. Valentina Carrel. We’re neighbors. The missing girl was her niece.”

That sobered him up quickly. “I’m glad she’s safe. Dr. Carrel.” He stepped forward and offered his hand. “Lieutenant Alex Wright.”

“You’re the one who went to the ice rink to look for her. I’m sorry we kept you up all night.” She looked down at her watch, the word night suddenly reminding her how tired she was.

The man smiled brightly again. “No worries. It’s not you. It looks like the epicenter hit Drages and Lemont, two of the small villages up the mountain.” The men’s gazes crossed, and in that brief instant, some information was exchanged that she wasn’t privy to.

Beau picked up his jacket, clearly getting ready to leave. “Thank you, Valentina.”

“Wait. I need to give you a checklist of how to take care of the stitches.”

Beau gave her an amused stare. “I think I’ve got it. Keep it dry for the first couple of days. Call the hospital if the swelling or pain gets worse.”

“And no scratching,” Alex added, laughing. Beau’s slipped his arm into his jacket.

“Let me come with you,” she said, suddenly.

“It’s just a few stitches, Valentina.”

She shook her head. “No. I mean, I want to help.”

“I don’t think—“ Beau’s words faltered. He looked at Alex, as if for support, but the younger man took an actual step back, signaling he wasn’t getting in the middle of this.

Smart man.

“Ren won’t be released until later in the day. And I’m a physician. I can help. The hospital director is bringing everybody on duty today. She’ll be supportive.” She pulled herself up to her full height. “Let me help. Please.”