Page 286 of Her Reluctant Hero
Chapter Seventeen
“God, Gabe, I’m so sorry,” Jen said, but instead of leaving him alone to tear apart the room, she settled into the vinyl chair, Doug on the arm. “Our timing was really bad.”
He snorted his opinion as he ripped out his IV and shoved back the sheet, ignoring the protest of his stiff muscles. “If you have delicate sensibilities, you better look away now.”
Instead, she got to her feet, trying to intimidate him back into bed. “What do you think you’re doing?” She tossed a glance over her shoulder, imploring her husband to come to her aid. “Doug!”
Gabe stopped Doug with a glare as he climbed out of bed. Jen grabbed at his bleeding arm but he shook her off.
“She’s not coming back,” he growled.
“Of course she is.” Jen glanced nervously toward the door. “She loves you.”
“She can’t love me. Because of what I am.” He leaned over to look under the bed, shook off the dizzy spell. Stupid, stupid, stupid. “Where the hell are my clothes?”
“What do you mean she can’t love you because of who you are?” Jen searched for the nurse call button, finally slapping all the buttons on the side of the bed.
“I’m a Hot Shot and she can’t handle it.” Where were his clothes? Did they carry him out of the chopper naked, for God’s sake?
“She didn’t get that you were a Hot Shot?” Jen asked dryly. “I thought she’d figured it out. She seemed smart enough to me.”
Why bother to explain it? He had to get to Peyton, before she left the hospital, make her understand she was more important than his damned job. God knew Dan didn’t let her know it. “Her husband was a cop killed in the line of duty. She needs someone safe.”
“So if you go after her, what will you tell her?” Doug asked.
Gabe glared at his once best friend who stood in front of the door, felt a twinge of regret that it couldn’t be the same. He swayed on his feet and felt a catch in his lungs. “Whatever she wants to hear.”
“You want a woman who can’t love you because of who you are?” Jen wanted to know. Gabe sat back on the bed and clutched the edge of the mattress as coughs gripped him. “There’s irony. And you always accused me of trying to change you. Peyton did it with a flip of her ponytail.”
A nurse rushed in. All she had to do was push him to make him fall onto his back, he was so weak. Damn it to hell.
“Gabe?” Jen drew his attention as the nurse fussed over him.
“I love her, Jen,” he said between coughs. “I didn’t think I could again.”
The tenderness on her face warmed to amusement. “A reporter, huh? That must’ve been a slap in the face.”
He narrowed his eyes at her, but doubted he was very intimidating in his little hospital gown. “Isn’t that what you intended? Did you give her to me to hurt me, Jen?”
Her eyes widened, like she was shocked he would think that of her. “No! She wanted the best, and you were the best I had.”
Gabe lifted his brows and inclined his head toward Doug. Jen had the grace to redden, and he felt a momentary twinge for making her uncomfortable. She was here for him, after all. And she’d done everything in her power to help him get to Peyton. He couldn’t figure out where the mercy he felt came from, because he hadn’t been feeling very merciful when she and Doug walked in, interrupting his last moments with Peyton.
“The best crew chief. You know what I meant.”
“Sure I do. No other motive? Like punishing me?”
Her eyes softened as she looked at him. “None other. You’re the best at what you do. I’d be happy to work with you again.”
Gabe appreciated her recognition of his ability but no longer craved her approval. Still, he didn’t know what to say.
Jen seemed to understand. She sat back. “I had to come thank you, Gabe. For bringing Doug back, for risking everything to help him. I know it wasn’t easy.”
He took a deep breath to reply. He had some issues of his own to clear up before he ran after Peyton.
But Jen, as usual, ran over him. “I’ve made some big mistakes, but I’m learning what’s important.” She curved a hand over her belly, put her other hand in Doug’s.
Gabe battled the pain, not as sharp as it had been. He had to make an effort, put this behind him. “Look, I wasn’t thinking about you when you told me you were pregnant.”
