Page 48 of Midnight Secrets

She gave a short, choppy nod. “Yeah.”

“I’ll be careful.” I slid my hand beneath her pant leg, finding the top of the boot. Pulling on the laces, I loosened it, then gently slid it off her foot. Her fingers dug into the couch cushion, but she didn’t cry out or stop me.

Her sock came next, and I winced as I got my first look at her ankle and lower calf. “Ouch.” It was several shades of purple.

“Oh, Claire. I think Detective Quartermaine is right. You need an x-ray. That looks—” Christina stopped and shook her head.

Claire wrinkled her nose and sighed. “Dammit. Stupid moose.”

“Hey, at least it didn’t attack you when you went down,” I said. “It could have been worse.”

Lips pressed together firmly, she nodded.

I glanced up at Christina. “Are we okay to leave the ATVs and the gear behind your house while I take her to get checked out?”

She nodded. “I’ll bring your packs in and call Tom to let him know what happened. He’ll probably bring the trailer over and pick up the four-wheelers. I can sort the gear and take out what’s yours.”

“We can do it when we get back,” Claire said.

Christina waved a hand. “Nonsense. It won’t take long.” She made a shooing motion. “Go get that looked at. And send him to your hotel to get your things.” She nodded to me. “You can stay here tonight.”

Claire sighed and shook her head. “Thank you, but that’s not necessary. I’m all spread out and?—”

“Then give me your room key and I’ll do it.” Christina held out a hand, her tone brooking no argument.

I smothered a smile.

“How about we wait and see what the doctor says?” Claire countered. “If I can walk on it, I’ll be fine at the hotel.”

Christina crossed her arms and shook her head. She looked at me. “Work on her while you’re gone.”

I chuckled. “I’ll do my best.” Though if her friend couldn’t convince her, I doubted I could.

Burying a hand in the inner pocket of my coat, I produced my car keys and held them out to Christina. “Unlock my car?”

She took them, leaving me free to scoop Claire off the couch.

This close and the rush of adrenaline and worry missing, the light vanilla scent of her soap filled my nose, along with something much more potent. My scalp prickled with an awareness that only grew as her warm curves settled against my chest.

Teeth clenched, I warned my body to behave as I followed Christina out of the house.

This was ridiculous. Claire was injured. I was merely helping her. My brain knew that, but my body didn’t get the memo.

It needed to.

Because at the end of the day, I didn’t take advantage of women.

And Claire was still a witness.

CHAPTER 17

Claire

The elevator dinged, and I maneuvered through the doors ahead of Ozzie, crutches creaking as I went. Much to my dismay, he’d been right to haul me in for an x-ray. The test revealed a fracture to the bottom of my fibula.

My foot was already hot inside the black boot the doctor stuck me in.

Agitation spurred me on, making me clumsy, and I caught the tip of one crutch on the gap in the floor. Stumbling forward, I landed hard on my booted foot. Pain rocketed up my leg, turning my muscles to mush, and I sagged, the ground rushing up to meet me.

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