Page 97 of Defending Casey

Hale heard Nora’s soft whimper. “Mommy?”

Casey’s eyes opened on a gasp and Hale hated the pain that flared up in her eyes.

“Baby, don’t talk.” Over his shoulder, he called over to his dad in a voice that sounded calm, a total lie. “Dad, take Nora outside. Keep her safe.”

He heard the older man grumble in reply. “I’m the one with the shotgun.” With a sigh, he moved toward the door with Nora. “Come with me, girl. I’ll show you the best wildflowers.”

“But, my mom-”

“You can pick as many as you like for her, okay? Let your daddy take care of her. We’ve got paintbrushes, bluebells, larkspur-”

“This late in the year?”

Thomas grumbled. “Well, I don’t know, but let’s find out together, okay?”

Stone touched Hale’s shoulder. “Hondo? I’ll go with them.”

Zeke was there too and already on the phone calling for emergency services.

Bodie’s boots were on the steps heading back into the house. “I’ve got the kit.”

In mere moments, he was kneeling beside Casey and unpacking the necessary supplies from the first aid kit.

“Hey, Casey. I’m Bodie. Don’t try to talk, okay? Just keep your eyes focused on this guy over here.” He titled his head toward Hale.

Hale could only see it from the edges of his vision, he was focused on Casey and the pallor of her skin and the fear in her eyes.

“Focus on me, baby. Let me look at your eyes.”

It almost killed him to see the tears welling up in her gorgeous eyes, but he kept his tone easy. Kept a smile on his face. “You’re okay, Case. You’re going to be just fine.”

She didn’t use her voice, but she mouthed two words to him. Love You.

“I love you, too. I love you so damn much, Casey. So damn much.”

Sorry.

“Don’t.” Bodie moved his hand and quickly stemmed the flow of blood with a thick pad and Hale managed to help him with the bandage and talk to Casey as Bodie wrapped her up for the wait. “There’s nothing to be sorry for. Brian’s just… he was out of his mind. He’ll never bother you again. I’m just sorry we couldn’t get to you faster.”

She lifted her hand toward her neck, but Hale caught it with his free hand and brought it to his lips for a gentle kiss.

“We found your necklace in an alley. I’m going to have it replaced. And I’m going to give your dad a medal as our MVP for this whole thing.”

Hale cringed when Casey’s eyes went wide with fear again.

Zeke leaned in. “He’s okay, Casey. A little sore, but Clint says he’s already ordering the doctors to let him go so he can come here to see you.”

With a slight grimace, she pointed toward the door. I go.

Hale nodded. “Have Clint tell her dad that she’ll come to see him.” It hurt to know that she was headed to the hospital as well. As Zeke moved off, Bodie did too, leaving Hale to apply gentle pressure to the bandage as they waited. “Your dad told Clint there was a tracker on Nora’s watch.”

He could tell by the way her eyes widened slightly that it was news to her too.

“We tracked you that way. At least it’s a way around the jewelry rule at school.”

She smiled and he could feel some of the anxiety leave her body.

“I promise you, Casey. I’ll take better care of you and Nora. This will never-”

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