Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 38800 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 194(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38800 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 194(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
“She’s good.” And she would be. Because I knew I wouldn’t let her be anything but.
“I still don’t think it’s necessary. I’ll be fine. I’m already much better.”
“It is. Now stop arguing.” I gave her a steady look, expecting her to wilt and comply with my orders. Most everyone did.
“You can’t tell me what to do.” Her eyes flashed and she stuck her chin up. She looked like she was as big a warrior as my vice president… Right up until her lungs spasmed and she started coughing uncontrollably for a full minute.
The nurse waited patiently, rubbing her back after putting an oxygen mask on her. When Evelyn finally stopped coughing, the nurse raised an eyebrow. “Honey, I think he already did. And you just proved his point.”
Poor Evelyn looked like she was going to cry. Which made my chest decidedly uncomfortable. Then a thought occurred to me. “Get Dr. Benedict. Tell him Knox is here.”
The nurse hesitated a moment before giving me a little frown. Not like she was displeased. More like I was someone who didn’t understand how this whole hospital and doctor-in-the-wrong-department thing worked. “I’ll shoot him a text, but you know Dr. Benedict doesn’t work the ER. Right?”
“Understood. I’ll call him.”
The nurse shrugged before gathering up everything she needed. “Wait here and I’ll get a wheelchair for you. I think everyone else is good to walk?” She looked up at my father with a questioning eye. As I expected, my father snorted.
“Why wouldn’t I be fine to walk? Been walkin’ for over seventy years.”
She smiled. “Figured as much, Mr. Knoxville.”
My dad scowled. “If I get mistered one more time…”
The nurse gave my father a smirk. “Feisty. Good. Means you’re OK.”
“Just take us back,” I muttered. “I’ll carry her.”
“I can walk.” Evelyn’s voice was still hoarse, and I could hear her wheezing easily.
“Sure, you can. Still ain’t gonna.” I didn’t look at her because I wasn’t sure I could keep from making a fool of myself if I did. This was my brother’s woman. She’d had his children. If ever there was a woman who was off-limits, it was this one. Even if Danny wasn’t there to help her or married to her, she was still his woman.
Either she was tired of arguing or she was starting to feel the effects of smoke inhalation, because she settled passively in my arms as I carried her down the hallway to the room the nurse led us to.
No sooner had I set her on the bed than Bullet walked in. I hadn’t had time to call him, so the nurse must have texted him.
“You know, I could have done without you turning up on my last official day at the hospital, Knox.” Bullet scowled, but it was directed at me. The second he shifted to look at everyone else in the room, his expression changed to something warm and inviting. “I’m Dr. Benedict. I hear you’ve all had quite the adventure today.”
It was the girl, Aneshya, who spoke up. “The building caught on fire. He saved us.” She pointed at me.
“Well, Knox is good for stuff like that. Do you guys care if I look you over?”
Bullet glanced at the monitor that showed Evelyn’s vital signs and heart rhythm before turning his attention to the other three. He took his time listening to the kids and Dad. While that was happening, nurses and other technicians came in and started IVs and took blood from Evelyn. She protested, but Dad put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed.
“For me, Evie,” he murmured. “For the kids.”
With a sigh, she stilled and let everyone continue to poke and prod her. Luke had her hand as well as Aneshya’s, holding on tightly. It was clear the young man was protective of the women in his life. Unlike his father.
“I think you three are fine,” Bullet said with a grin at Luke and Aneshya. “I’d like to get a chest X-ray for all three of you, though. Just to be on the safe side. Especially for you, Grover.” Bullet gave Dad a smug look. The older man grunted at him. Obviously, Bullet had been clued into the fact Dad didn’t like formalities. “You’re obviously fit and in great health, but you’re still more susceptible to the effects of smoke inhalation than everyone else here. Like it or not, you’re still an old fart.”
That got a bark of laughter from my dad. “Damned straight. I earned that status a long time ago.”
“As for you…” Bullet turned to address Evelyn. “Plan on being here a while.”
“I’m fine.” Her little croak did nothing to solidify her declaration.
Bullet tapped the tablet he held in his hands. “The first tests coming back say otherwise. I’ll hold my final judgment until everything is complete, but you’re going to let me do several more tests, give you some medicine, some nebulizer treatments, and all kinds of medical things.” He grinned at her, and I wanted to punch my friend. When Bullet raised an eyebrow at me, I realized I’d been growling. “My. Someone’s in a snit.”