Page 111 of The Ice Sisters

COAL MOUNTAIN HOSPITAL

Ellie pushed at the nurse’s hands as she was wheeled into the hospital entrance. “Cord, did you call the parents?”

He squeezed her hand. “Yes, they’re on their way. Now they’re taking you to the exam room.”

“I’m fine,” Ellie said, irritably. “I want to make sure the girls are treated first. And Barbara.”

“They’re in good hands,” Cord said. “But I’m worried about you.”

“No need. Find out how Derrick is,” she snapped.

“Okay, okay.”

Ellie scoured the doorway for the girls and families coming in. Medics first pushed Ivy and Mazie in on a gurney, clinging together. Thankfully both girls seemed physically okay, although there would be emotional scars.

Her heart melted as Loretta and Michael ran in and raced to Ivy. “Baby, are you okay?”

“I love you, Ivy,” Michael said. “Did he hurt you?”

Ivy’s parents surrounded her in a family hug, and Ellie sensed they would be okay.

“Where’s Mama?” Mazie cried.

Barbara stroked the girl’s back. “She’s here, honey, in the hospital.”

“I talked to the nurse,” Loretta interjected. “She’s going to be okay.”

“I wanna see her,” Mazie said.

“You can, just as soon as the doctors check you out.” Barbara lovingly smoothed down Mazie’s tangled hair. “Then you and your mom are going to live with me until she gets back on her feet.”

Ellie smiled, even though the movement made her face hurt.

As much as she hated hospitals, Cord was right. Her head was about to burst and every bone in her body ached. She’d fought for the girls and their mothers.

She wouldn’t be any good to anyone if she didn’t fight for herself.

ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-SEVEN

Derrick clenched his teeth at the pain wracking his body. He’d been put through the ringer since he’d been bought into the hospital: X-rays, a CAT scan, MRI.

He fought off the numbing drugs so he could find out what happened to Ellie. And if the kids had been found alive.

“Agent Fox,” the doctor said, his expression grave. “We have your test results.”

Derrick braced himself. He’d heard hints from the nurses that he had a spinal injury. How serious no one would say. He was not a negative person, but the thought of possible paralysis had entered his mind.

What the hell would he do if he couldn’t walk or chase criminals? He was not a behind-the- desk kind of man.

Clenching the edge of the thin hospital blanket, he sucked up his courage and studied the doctor’s poker face. “Give it to me,” he said bluntly.

A tiny smile twitched at the young man’s mouth. “All right. Bad news is that you have a compound fracture of the T-9 vertebrae.” He displayed an X-ray and pointed to the middle part of his back. “For now, it appears to be stable and should eventually heal on its own. But it will take up to six monthsand you’ll be limited physically. That means no heavy lifting or weights, no jogging or high impact workouts, just walking. I’m afraid you’ll experience pain the entire time as well so you may need pain medications.”

Derrick fisted his hands around the sheets. “And the good news?”

“Surgery isn’t required at this time, but if you don’t restrict your activities, that could change.”

Derrick forced himself not to react. Six months seemed like an eternity.

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