Page 15 of Shadowed Rubies
My wayward thoughts about Dani were interrupted when an EMT caught sight of the gash on Molly’s forehead. “Come over here and let me take a look at that.”
As I followed my sister to the ambulance opposite the one that was getting ready to whisk away Kevin Durley, I silently chastised myself for not insisting that she seek immediate medical attention for her head injury.What kind of big brother stands around thinking about his secret crush, rather than getting his little sister help?
My rumination quickly halted when I saw another EMT helping Dani into the back of the ambulance we were walking toward. I had to resist the urge to punch the guy for touching her, even though I had no right to even think such a thing.
When Molly climbed into the rig, I moved to follow her at the same time as Dean tried to join his sister inside the emergency vehicle. One of the EMTs held up his palm in our direction. “Only room for one more, guys.”
Dean was a close friend of mine, but this was no time to worry about that. I would fight him, if I had to, in order to be the one to go with Molly and Dani.
“I’ve got this,” I said confidently as I quickly climbed into the ambulance and slid into the only available seat.
From the startled look Dean gave me, it was obvious he didn’t appreciate me jumping in and assuming that I would be the one to join our sisters. Seeing the perfect excuse, I pointed to his chest. “The blare of the siren might scare the baby. We’ll see you at the hospital.”
With that, the medical technician closed the door in Dean’s surprised face, and we took off toward the hospital.
18
Dani
Max Malone’s significant presence seemed to steal all of the available oxygen in the back of the large tin can we were riding in. I’d never been in an enclosed place in such near proximity to him. Even though I couldn’t seem to catch my breath, it wasn’t an altogether unpleasant sensation.
I tore at the loose collar of my tee shirt, even though it wasn’t what was causing my lack of air. My cheeks felt flushed. I could only hope that Max would think it was due to my stressful kidnapping. The fact that it was actually because he was so near was ridiculous. My logical mind knew that he was only here because of his sister, but my stupid heart wanted to believe it had something to do with me, too.
He was a player, and I would be wise to remember that. But when his sensual eyes bored into me as if I was the only woman he had ever wanted, my brain went on vacation, while my heart attempted to beat its way out of my chest.
The sexy firefighter was so far out of my league that we weren’t even at the same arena, but my foolish, ever-hopeful heart couldn’t seem to comprehend that.
As the ambulance raced us to the emergency room, Molly palmed her forehead and closed her eyes. It was obvious the blaring siren was bothering her headache.
I stared at Max’s chiseled jaw as he spoke to his sister. “Is your head hurting from being knocked out by Kevin or from over-indulging last night at your party that your big brother wasn’t invited to?”
It was amusing that Max was so insulted by not being invited to Molly’s party. I would have thought that he’d have plenty of other social activities to attend where women could fawn all over him and he could lap up the attention like a lonely golden retriever.
Molly slit one eye open to glare at her brother. “I heard you already had a celebration to attend. In fact, that’s why I chose that particular timing for my party.”
My curiosity surged as I wondered if Max’s celebration had been with a woman. It probably had been, and that thought made my stomach roil.
At Max’s confused look, Molly subtly tilted her head in my direction, and then it dawned on me. My brother’s engagement party with his friends had been last night. Max and Dean had been close all through school, so that is most likely where Max had been.
Molly’s party had likely been her way of avoiding thinking about Dean’s engagement to another woman. My brother had broken her heart.
I shifted in my seat, wishing we would arrive at the hospital. Being in such close proximity to Max was disconcerting, and Molly obviously wasn’t yet over my brother. The crackling tension and awkward uneasiness was practically palpitating between us as we rode toward the emergency room in silence.
Proving that she was just as audacious as ever, Molly said, “If we want to make the driver go faster and get this dreadful ride over with, just have Dani sing. He’ll push the gas pedal to the floor.”
Max bugged his eyes out in his sister’s direction as if silently reprimanding her to behave.
Knowing how right she was, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Her gentle ribbing helped temporarily alleviate a bit of the tension growing between us, but we all stared at the floor for the duration of the ride.
As soon as we arrived at the hospital, Max practically lunged for the back door of the ambulance.
When I emerged from the back of the vehicle, my family met me and we walked inside together, so I could get checked out by a doctor.
I craned my neck around, but didn’t see any sign of Max and Molly. They must have already made their way inside. So much for my grand hopes of spending more quality time with the handsome firefighter. My brother had ruined any chance of that.
Glaring up in Dean’s direction, I was careful not to come near my sweet nephew sleeping on Dean’s chest as I used the back of my hand to swat at his shoulder.
“Ow! What did I do?” He glared down at me, obviously surprised by the childish gesture.
