Page 19 of Bear with Me

“Thank you, Jemma,” Laramie said.

“I’ll find you in a little bit,” Brock called, and she glanced back with a nod, following in Jensen’s wake.

“I’m worried about him,” Matheus voiced.

“He’s got a lot on his shoulders.” Laramie’s words hit them hard. “We need to get him more help.”

“He has help,” Brock reminded everyone. “It’s that he doesn’t trust anyone but himself.”

They all knew that was true.

“I’ll help out more. He’d trust me. He’s been telling me for years that I’d make a good doctor,” Matheus offered.

“If that’s what you want to do, then we’ll all support you,” Laramie said. “But only if it’s your choice.”

“I know that. Now, why don’t I take Brock and work on getting some cabins ready for our newest arrivals? You’ll want to meet them and get the rundown from Em. Then when you’re satisfied, I’ll be able to direct them to where they can stay.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Brock agreed. He’d go with Matheus, talk with him about what he really wanted, then head over to find Jemma and check on Jensen.

“Brock?” Laramie called out. “You and Jemma?”

“Not yet,” Brock answered the unvoiced question. “Matheus got us out of bed this morning. I haven’t had a chance to speak with her.”

“She spent the night in your bed,” Laramie reminded him, and Declan whistled softly.

“She just woke up after being out for days after the attack, the poison on the knife she took, as well as the drug they injected her with. I took her to my room, helped her take a shower, fed her, then held her while she slept. She was in no condition for anything else.”

“Well said,” Em agreed as she joined them. She immediately walked to Laramie, taking the hand he held out to her. “It’s time to meet some more of my friends. They’re good people, and they’d like to stay.”

“Of course. Brock, Matheus, the cabins. Slade, you and Rissa come with Em and me.”

Brock left with Matheus, but his mind was on his mate. He needed to get Jemma alone and have that talk he’d mentioned. There were things they needed to discuss, actions he needed to explain to her. Once he’d addressed all her questions and reservations, they could look to the future and all the possibilities it could hold for them.

Chapter Nine

Jemma stepped into the clinic shortly after Jensen. She ignored him, instead heading over to look through the notes he had on the board. She’d helped enough times she knew to look over his posted schedules to see who needed to be checked on, who needed bandages changed, or meds given, or any of the things Jensen kept track of. The man was meticulous at documenting every little thing and thorough in the care of his patients. His morning rounds had obviously been made prior to the gathering on the steps of the main lodge.

“Thank you.”

She turned and found Jensen with his back still to her. He, like all the Holloways, was a man of strength and pride. The fact he’d let Walker get to him had to be weighing on him. Plus, the truths he’d let spill. He was a doctor, who struggled to keep as many of their species alive as he could. Though he had help and they had a medical team, Jensen bore the weight of every death like a personal failure. He took way too much on himself, as if life and death began and ended with him.

“I’ll go speak to some of the women still recovering. I’m sure the attack hasn’t helped. They must be scared and reliving what they’ve been through.”

He nodded, but he was looking down, defeat in the slump of his shoulders.

“We bring them here and promise them safety. How can they trust that when we’re attacked where they were promised it would never happen? I can heal their physical wounds, but I can’t reach the ones that go deeper, the mental and emotional scars.”

“Some wounds can only heal with time,” Jemma offered softly, but it wasn’t just the recovering captives she thought of. “He doesn’t get to win, Jensen. Not him or any of the vicious group who’ve made it their mission to hunt us to extinction. Everyone there needed to hear your words, needed to know how much of yourself you give to this den and our species.” She put her hand on his shoulder, squeezing softly. “And you need to know that you’re not alone. Every single one of us will stand with you, will give all we can to help you. You’re not alone, Jensen. You never have been.”

“Thank you,” Jensen said again, but he finally turned toward her. His face was ravaged with exhaustion. When did he ever take the time to rest?

“Why don’t you take a few hours to get some sleep? Morning rounds have been made, and I’ll stay here in case anyone needs anything.” She held up her finger to stop whatever he’d say. “I’ll send someone for you if you’re needed. Please, Jensen. There’s a human saying that goes something like, you can’t pour from an empty cup. That applies to you more than anyone I know. In your quest to save as many of us as you can, don’t forget to save yourself first.”

“I hope my brother recognizes what a gem he has in you.” He leaned in and kissed her brow softly. “I believe I’ll take your advice. God’s truth, I’m tired.”

“Go.” She waved him off. “I’ve got this.”

With that, he turned and left. She spent a little while tidying up, but really, there wasn’t much to do. Jensen’s meticulous nature ran to keeping everything organized and clean, as well. It had been barely ten minutes when the door was flung open and Muriel stepped inside, tugging the door firmly shut behind her.

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