Page 61 of Saving Shepperd

“Looks like you and your sister got the worst of it. Vela and Stella are pretty upset too, but I just checked on them, and they’re doing okay.”

“My sister?” I stuck on that part at first, but concern for the children ramped up my anxiety once more. When I tried to sit up, the bossy guy put a firm palm on my shoulder and eased me right back down.

“Yes, but she’s fine other than a bit shaken. Elijah’s lying with her in one of the bedrooms. Looks like he’s a pro at managing this kind of thing,” he said with what seemed like a bit of awe at what he saw in that bedroom.

So why did that rub me so raw? Probably because everything always turned up roses for the perfect Hannah, didn’t it? Of course she found a man who would jump right in and rescue her from the demons of her past. Of course her man was quietly lying with her in private while she pulled herself together while I was out here on display on a stranger’s fucking living room sofa.

If one more person walked by and gave me that morbidly curious side eye, thinking they were being super clever about it but really weren’t, I might just blow my top.

So I croaked, “Can we get out of here?” I tried to sit up again, but he stopped me. This time I let my instincts win and pushed his thick arm out of the way. “I’m serious. I’m fine. Everyone’s staring at me, and I don’t like it, Law.” I muttered that last part for his ears only, and something finally registered on his face.

He leaned in close so our conversation remained private. “As soon as the EMTs check you over, we’ll go. I promise. They already know you need some attention, so they’ll be here shortly.”

“You don’t know that. Law, there were so many kids here. They should worry about them, not me. I probably just had an anxiety attack. Happens all the time.” I didn’t miss the way he winced when I let that little nugget fly.

“Okay, let me say it this way, then. I’ll feel better after they check you out, okay? That was way more than an anxiety attack, Shep. I think I’ve seen enough of those now between my niece and you. You could’ve died out there today.”

“Well, I didn’t,” I snapped and instantly knew it was shitty. He didn’t deserve to be talked to that way. But why wouldn’t he hear my words? Can’t I even be trusted to know when I need help and when I don’t?

And that fucking annoying voice in the back of my head gave me a fast answer to that one. Tears filled my eyes, stinging and blurring the image of the handsome man hovering over me.

“Oh, baby,” he hushed. “Don’t cry. You’re safe now. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” He issued the promise right before hugging me. I held him so tight and so close. I didn’t want to let go.

“I’m sorry,” I said again, and he pulled back to give me a stern look.

“Stop apologizing. You didn’t do anything wrong, darling. I’m just worried,” he said, but it felt like he stopped himself there. I kept my eyes fixed to his, waiting for him to say whatever was on his mind.

“Finish,” I encouraged but wondered if I really wanted to hear the rest.

“No, it’s nothing. I was just so scared. When I couldn’t find you, and then when I did and you were trapped, damn…” He gulped down heavy emotion and scrubbed a hand down his face. He was dirty from smoke and soot and smeared the dirt with his palm.

“Trapped?” What the hell was he talking about? This was always the worst part of these episodes. It could be days until I recalled what really happened. I don’t know why my brain locks up, but it’s frustrating and embarrassing. I just wanted to get out of here.

Just as I mounted the energy to ask him to take me home again, an EMT squatted down in front of me.

“How are you feeling?” the young guy asked.

I couldn’t help but fixate on how clean and neatly groomed he was. Law and I both looked like we had been in battle, and this dude had every hair on his perfectly styled head tamed into compliance with some divine-smelling product. The comparison between us and him was so stark, a bizarre giggle bubbled out of my throat and mortified me when it burst free.

“Oh my God,” I said and buried my face in my palms. Such a freaking idiot. Like I never talked to a good-looking guy before. I mean, Christ, look at the man standing here by my side.

“Sorry,” I muttered. “I’m fine, honestly,” I said with the last bit of energy I had in me. “I think we’re about to get out of here.”

“Well, let’s have a quick look and make sure we haven’t missed anything, okay? Wouldn’t be doing my job otherwise.” He opened the bag at his feet and pulled out a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope.

He performed his exam and did a lot of note-taking throughout. When he was finished and zipping up his bag he said, “Clearly you were in shock when we first got here. I saw you the moment I walked through the room. Your blood pressure and heart rate are still a bit low, but nothing to be concerned about. Are you feeling tired?”

Yes! Here was my ticket out of here. “Oh, yeah, exhausted.”

“Also very typical from shock,” he said as he stood. He directed my home care instructions to Law. “Get her to bed, and she’ll probably sleep a good amount over the next twenty-four hours. That’s just what her body needs. Bring her to the ER if symptoms come back like confusion, chills, sweats, anything similar to what you just saw.”

“I’ll be fine,” I insisted. “I just need to sleep it off. That was a lot of excitement for everyone,” I said casually, hoping everyone else would adopt my carefree attitude about what had just happened. I hated when people made a fuss over me.

The look on Law’s face said he wasn’t buying my bullshit for a second. He looked as exhausted as I felt. A pang of guilt nearly knocked the wind out of me. He turned his attention to the EMT, thanked him for his help, and then the guy joined the rest of his team talking to Law’s brother, Jake.

“See? Told you that wasn’t necessary,” I said and instantly felt like a bratty child for it.

“I feel better knowing you’re okay. Physically. I’m not a doctor, Shepperd. If something happened when we got home because I rushed you out of here, I would never forgive myself.” His tone was weary, and I promised myself to cut the guy a break. I wasn’t used to people caring about me and needed to be more grateful that he insisted I was checked out.

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