Page 10 of Sergeant O'
I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. It had definitely been a “me or him” scenario, so I knew I couldn’t have done anything differently. I suspected I’d have to not only be medically cleared, but psychologically as well before I was allowed back to work.
“And the nephew?”
My dad answered that one. “In jail. He regained consciousness, the ambulance brought him here, Dr. Williams cleared him, and we booked him. He has an appearance before the judge tomorrow morning. The prosecutor is asking for no bail.”
“Good.” I glanced over at Lainey, who’d wrapped an arm around her middle. “How are you?”
I’d ask Adam later how badly they’d hurt her.
“I’m okay. You guys arrived just in time.”
I was glad about that. We didn’t have a lot of violent crime in Haven Springs, but the one rape case I’d worked a few years ago still stuck with me.
Lainey touched my arm.
“I’m sorry you got shot, though.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“Still… if you need anything.”
I felt a slow smile spread across my face.
“As a matter of fact…”
****
Jade
I was back in the ER at the nurse’s station, reviewing Dr. Williams’s orders for a patient in Room Six, when I saw my sister come through the automatic doors. For what she’d just gone through, she looked good. Strong.
Then as she walked toward me, our eyes met, and her bottom lip began to tremble. I immediately left the desk and headed toward her.
Without a word, she walked into my embrace, wrapped her arms tight around my waist, and buried her face in my shoulder.
“How you holding up, kiddo?” I asked against her blonde hair.
“I’m okay,” she whispered. “I think the adrenaline has finally started to wear off, and all the ‘what ifs’ are starting to dance around in my head. What if they hadn’t found me in time? What if Brian would have been killed trying to save me? What if no one would have found Conor, or worse, they’d hurt him?”
“I know, sweetie. You’ve been through a lot. Just let yourself feel all the emotions right now and get in to see a counselor to work through this stuff.” I grabbed her upper arms and lookedher in the eye. “You’re safe. Take all the help that’s going to be offered. Peoplewantto help you. Don’t feel like you’re a burden. You understand?”
She nodded, then let out a big sigh. “Brian wants you to be his nurse again.”
I pursed my lips, so she forged ahead. “I know he can be a stubborn ass but go easy on him. He took a bullet saving me.”
I felt my nostrils flare as I took in a cleansing breath while I stared at her. Before I could say anything, she continued, “Plus, you’re both going to be Conor’s godparents, so you’re stuck with each other for the next eighteen years. It’s kind of like co-parenting.”
“You don’t have to worry about when it comes to Conor. I’m sure we’ll be able to put aside our differences for him.”
“So, you’ll be his nurse again?”
I shook my head. “Me leaving the ER tonight was an exception because of the emergency surgery. He’ll be in good hands with the floor nurses.”
My little sister reminded me, “He got shot saving me, Jade.”
Damn it.
“Fine, I’ll see what I can do about tomorrow. But only becauseyou’reasking.”
