Page 95 of Evening Shadows

“I don’t give a damn. I just want to make sure she’s okay.”

“All right. Let me wrap these ribs first or transporting her will be more painful than it needs to be.”

Impatient, Ken urged him on. “Hurry the hell up.”

As Doc wrapped her ribs with Ken holding her up, the medic chuckled.

“What the hell is so funny?”

“You owe Reagan a lot of money.”

37

When Sam woke in the emergency room, her first thought was panic for not understanding why she’d ended up in the care of the hospital. Her eyes landed on Ken, and she relaxed. Then she took in a deep breath and groaned through the pain. Ken squeezed her hand, and she settled back, waiting for the doctor.

She had a couple of hairline fractures. The doctor had expected worse, but Devon had the best vests money could buy. The only good thing that came from the experience was that she had another mild painkiller to take. Unlike the men who tried to be all badass, she’d take hers when needed and when able.

After a quick release, she wished she had taken one, but she wouldn’t while driving. She and Cody had left Kate’s house and were finally going to hers. With all that happened, she forgot to ask about getting Cody’s stuff from his old home.

Before she’d left Jesse’s home, Ken stopped her. He had some paperwork and stuff to do to square away all they’d done in Mexico and home, so he’d told her, “I’ll meet you at your place this evening.”

She’d nodded, glad he’d be there. She had much to discuss with him about her future and theirs. “I’ll stop at the store and pick up something to cook. Any preferences?” With a coy smile, she asked, “Do you still like steak and potatoes with no vegetables best?”

He grinned. “Sure. But I eat my vegetables now.”

“Any in particular?”

Glancing at Cody, he responded with, “Whatever Cody eats.”

A warm smile spread across her face as he’d already begun to include Cody.

Jesse walked up to them and handed a small duffel to Cody. “Here, buddy.” He looked at Sam. “We picked up a few things at the store. Madison and Emily flew to Georgia and packed up his room. The boxes should be here tomorrow. We’ll bring them out to you.”

A love that only a family carried washed through her for what they’d done for a child they hadn’t known. Gratitude swamped her, and she knew those two words weren’t enough, but it was all she had. “Thank you.”

Cody looked up at Jesse with admiration in his eyes. The easy smile Jesse gave the boy warmed her heart for Cody’s happiness.

Jesse nodded at the boy. “I want to have a quick chat with you. Let’s walk this way.”

Cody didn’t ask her, he followed blindly. A frown dimmed her smile.What were they talking about?Cody nodded a lot but didn’t say much.

She whispered to Ken, “What’s going on?”

He grinned. “Jesse’s just having the talk with him.”

Shocked at that response, she sputtered before she got out, “He’s too young for the talk.”

Grabbing her arm to stop her from interrupting, he said quietly, “Notthattalk. Trust him.”

“Why is Jesse doing it and not you?”

A sigh escaped him. “He doesn’t really know me yet. Jesse brought him home and has made a positive impression on him. It’s best this way.”

Completely confused, when the two returned to her, she raised her brows at Jesse, but he remained tight-lipped. The quirk at the corner of his lips had her narrowing her eyes at him. What was the man up to?

She’d figured out she had a lot to learn about kids. When they’d arrived at her car, Cody had gone to the back seat. “I know the age in Maryland is under eight years old, but it’s safer for me back here in the middle seat, but only if it has a shoulder strap.” He slid in the seat and had her wondering just how he’d learned all that, and then Reagan came to mind. The little fountain of knowledge.

On the drive to her apartment, the light began to dim as they flowed easier with rush hour traffic over. It had been one of the longest days of her life, but Ken and Cody were now safe from Beverly.

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