Page 74 of Welker

“Don’t leave out the new guy, Murphy.”

Welker jumped.

Moira’s raspy voice had surprised him. It was weak, but held conviction as she added, “He’s sketchy as hell.”

“Moira.” Welker gazed into her open, brown eyes, his tiredness all of a sudden, gone. “Welcome back. Damn, woman. You gave me a scare.”

She nodded slowly. “Me, too. I was…” she coughed feebly.

“Shh. Don’t try to talk yet. I’m supposed to call the nurse the minute you’re awake.” Welker was swiftly on his feet, but couldn’t bring himself to let go of Moira’s hand which was currently wrapping itself around his.

Moira nodded faintly.

“I’ll go,” Mason said, then smiled at Moira. “Nice to have you back, Deputy.”

She blinked and gave the boss a lopsided smile before he strode off, looking for someone in authority.

Welker sat back down, reaching with his free hand to sweep the hair off Moira’s face and behind one ear. “Everyone is in the waiting room. Hanging around until they know you’re awake.”

Moira looked confused. “Everyone, who?” she finally managed to ask.

“The entire team, as well as my mother, sister, and Sabira. A few of your colleagues from the sheriff’s department who are either concerned, or are here as spies for your boss, are hanging around, too.” He gave a wry twist of his lips. “Even Margaret got a ride in with Sin and has been keeping everyone’s spirits up, feeding them her homemade banana bread.”

Moira raised a brow.

“Yup. She’s happy she has lots of young stomachs to experiment on.”

Moira gave a semi-chuckle, looking like she was drifting off again, but he could tell she was touched by the outpouring of love. It was sad that she’d never considered herself worthy of her colleagues’ regard because of the way her father had treated her. But from now on, Welker swore he was going to make sure she knew she was the most deserving person, ever, even if it killed him.

“Hayden also sends her love,” he told her, watching her blink to stay awake. “But she didn’t want to come in because she’s not supposed to know you, and we don’t want to blow her cover.”

Moira gave a chin-dip to that, just before the curtain was whisked open and a nurse bustled in with Mason right behind.

The nurse immediately went to work checking Moira’s lines and vitals, and after she recorded everything on her standing computer, she flashed them a big smile.

“Everything looks great,” she assured them, then turned her attention directly to Moira. “But if you have any sudden, sharp pains, or changes in your breathing or heart rate, you let me know immediately. It’s my opinion, however, that you’re doing just fine. Which means you can have some water. Not too much at first,” she warned. “Just enough to wet your whistle.”

Welker picked up the cup he’d already filled, and held it out toward Moira with the straw at an easy angle.

She took two small sips and swallowed before closing her eyes in appreciation. “Good. Thanks.”

The nurse nodded. “I’m going to get the surgeon now. If he agrees with my assessment, we’ll have you moved to a room within the hour.”

“Thank you, nurse…” Welker hesitated. If she’d mentioned her name any of the times she’d stopped by to check up on Moira, it hadn’t registered.

“Tamara,” she answered, not at all put out. “I’ll be on shift until our patient is moved if you need anything.”

“Thanks, Tamara,” Welker responded as she ducked out.

He felt suddenly reenergized. Alive.

Mason grinned at the pair of them. “I’ll leave you two alone now. I’m going to let all our friends and family know you’re awake and send them home for the night. The staff have been having a fit at the number of bodies overflowing their waiting room, not to mention the lookie-loos who are popping in to ogle our team.”

Welker didn’t doubt it. When the squads amassed, all decked out as they still were in their BDU’s, they were a sight to see.

Moira smiled, but closed her eyes again as he watched her.

“That’s right. Go to sleep, sweetheart,” Welker urged. “There’s nothing to do now, but heal.”

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