Page 52 of Protecting Jess

“Th-thanks.” The catch in Slick’s voice wasn’t surprising.

Finn could hear Aunt Poppy crying softly in the background.

“Normally, I’d say you don’t need to do this, but not this time,” his uncle said.

“I know.” Finn did. For once, he was grateful his family had the means to make the trip for Slick and Aunt Poppy easier than it would normally be. “I’ll text you the details. I promise I’ll keep you updated whenever I hear anything.”

This was one promise he would keep.

Seventeen

Time dragged. Every time someone in scrubs walked past the door to the waiting room, Finn tensed, hoping they’d come in with news. Each time, though, they kept on walking, instead of communicating with him.

He glanced at his watch. Only an hour had passed since they’d come upstairs from the ED. His dad had pulled through and arranged for a plane to bring Slick and Aunt Poppy.

“How you holding up?” Oak came over to where Finn still stood looking out the window, not really seeing the ocean in the distance.

“As best as can be expected. I wonder what’s taking so long. It was a stab wound to the shoulder. Not like it was the kidney or liver. Or stomach.”

“No idea. But if anyone would know how much damage a knife can do to someone, it would be you,” Oak said.

His friend was right; Finn was a medic. He’d done medical training, yet his mind was blank. Could the knife have nicked her heart? Or maybe the wound was deep enough to pierce her lung.

Or had they found something else when they’d opened her up? Perhaps they’d found a tumor. Something Jess didn’t know about.

Stop it!

The last thing he needed was to start thinking about scenarios that were unlikely.

“I don’t know what to do, Oak. I feel so helpless. I should be able to use my knowledge to keep me calm, but I can’t.”

“Don’t think the worst. Sometimes knowledge is more a hindrance than a help.”

“I know.” Finn nodded.

A figure appeared in the doorway, and he straightened.

Was this the doctor who’d worked on Jess? Or was it for the other family that had come into the room not long after he’d sat down? If this doctor was for them, Finn needed to keep it together.

“I’m looking for Jessica Killian’s fiancé,” the man said.

“That’s me,” Finn said. “What’s happening? Is Jess okay? Why did it take so long?”

A small smile appeared on the doctor’s face, as if this was the normal response he got whenever he walked into the waiting room. “I’m Dr. Robertson. Surgery on Ms. Killian went well. She’s been moved to recovery. The wound was deep. An artery was severed, so she lost a lot of blood. We were able to repair it, and she should make a full recovery. When she’s moved to a room, a nurse will come get you.”

“Thank you, for everything.” Finn shook his hand.

“All part of the job.” He nodded and walked out.

Finn stared at the blank wall opposite the door for a moment, aware that his friends had come up behind him.

“She good, Hive?” Kevlar asked.

Finn didn’t care that he’d teared up. Didn’t care that he wasn’t acting like a SEAL, because he wasn’t. Right then, he was a man relieved that the woman he loved was going to be okay. “Yeah,” he said after a moment. “She’ll be in a room soon, and then I’ll be able to go see her.”

“Good. I hate to do this, but we need to get back to base.” Kevlar glanced over to where Smiley stood.

“Go. I don’t want you guys to get in trouble with the commander. Thanks for being here. For, you know…” Finn didn’t elaborate, but he didn’t have to. Even though he’d already thanked the man a couple of times, he wasn’t going to stop, because when he needed support, Kevlar had given it.

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