Page 112 of Risky Passion

She shook her head. “Nah, nothing amazing about it. He’s my brother. You’d do the same for someone you love.”

I hesitated. I wasn’t so sure about that. Not everyone could manage what Yasmin was handling. I knew, without a doubt, that my sister wouldn’t. If it were me lying in that bed, she would probably pull the plug.

We reached an open doorway with a sign that readBoys’ Restroom, and Yasmin tapped the sign as she walked in.

“We’ve got both boys’ and girls’ restrooms, but the boys’ has the best shower.” She pointed to a stall at the back. “That one. Help yourself to the shampoo and conditioner.”

“This place is cool,” I said, glancing around.

“Cole bought the schoolhouse a couple of years ago,” Yasmin said, opening a locker and pulling out a towel. “The primary school was in operation for over a hundred years but had been abandoned for nearly twenty years. We’re slowly fixing it up, but . . .” She rolled her eyes dramatically. “Assholes with guns and C4 keep interrupting. So rude.”

I laughed as she handed me the towel.

“Take all the time you need,” she said. “I’ll grab you some fresh clothes and that coffee.”

“Thanks.”

Yasmin left, and Whisper strode over to me, arms open. “Give me a hug, girlfriend.”

I let her pull me into a tight embrace, and her warmth grounded me.

She pulled back, her expression soft but serious. “I still want to hear all about you and that stud getting down and dirty.”

“It’s a long story.” I chuckled, fumbling to remove the bandage around my hand.

“Let me do that.” Whisper’s gaze softened even more, and her touch turned gentle as she unwrapped the dressing. “You scared the hell out of me when your plane fell off the radar. Especially after what happened to your parents.”

“Tell me about it.” My chest constricted asLadybeetle'splummet flashed through my mind. “Glad I had a different ending to Mom and Dad, though.”

“Me too. You got lucky.” She freed the last of the bandage and sucked in a breath. "Ouch."

My injured finger had darkened to the color of a storm cloud and my knuckle had swollen to twice its normal size.

“Bloody hell.” Whisper cradled my hand, turning my palm up. “I bet that hurt.”

“It’s okay.” I bit back a smile as Jaxson's worried eyes, when he'd first seen my dislocated finger, flickered through my memory. “Like you said, I got lucky. This was my only souvenir from the plane crash.”

“You sure did.” Whisper flashed a magnificent grin. “Speaking of lucky. Cody will be here after he’s done at Xander’s farm. He’ll be so glad to see you.”

“Oh, that’s right. How’s he liking the new job?”

“Loves it,” she said, her smile stretching wider. “Xander and Aria have been amazing. Xander’s given Cody free rein with the sustainable crops, so he’s in his element. Cody handles all the plants while Xander looks after the animals and bees. It’s a perfect setup. Nobody yells at him, the pay’s better than he’s ever had working for his stupid uncle. Plants are his Zen. He comes home grinning every day like he’s won the bloody lottery.”

Whisper paused, and her smile turned sassy. “And let me tell you, that sweet smile of his is absolutely gorgeous. Kinda like the one I saw Jaxson give you.”

“Stop it, you tease.” I swatted at her, but she danced out of reach, laughing.

“I’m serious! I saw it. I’m telling ya, he’s got the hots for you, sista.”

“Who’s got the hots for who?” Yasmin asked, stepping into the room with a stack of neatly folded clothes in her arms and a steamingcoffee mug.

“Jaxson and Tory,” Whisper said, grinning like a Broncos Cheerleader. “Apparently, something magical happened in that swamp.”

Yasmin’s smile stretched wide, and her fascinating green eyes sparkled. “You know, for all the shit that happens between Risky Shores and Rosebud, there’s still plenty of miracles happening.”

“Well said, sista.” Whisper clapped her hands together. “Speaking of magic, I’m off to check out those boxes with the guys. Let’s hope we can conjure up some of the answers we’ve all been chasing.”

“I’ll be there in a sec,” I said.

---