Page 93 of Jack

“Hello, Lily. I’m Dana. Let’s get your vital signs, and I’ll see what I can do about the monitor sounds.” She’s the familiar voice.

Monitors? I frantically look around. The beeping gets louder. Dana’s a nurse. Oh my gosh.

“Jack.”

“Shh. Easy, angel, easy.”

“Where am I?” I know where I am.

“You’re in the hospital. Do you remember anything?”

I close my eyes and immediately pop them open again. I don’t want to see darkness anymore. Instead, I focus on each stroke his fingers make down the side of my face, sweet, gentle, loving.

“Do you know who you are?” Dana asks.

That’s not a good sign. I don’t yell at her or look at Dana like she’s crazy. I’m a nurse. We usually ask that question when someone’s been unconscious for a long time.

I lock eyes with the man looming over me. “I’m Lily Harman. You’re Jack McLeod.”

He grins. “That’s right, angel. Good girl.”

“We had Thanksgiving dinner at the clubhouse.” I gasp. “Oh my gosh! You’re a biker.”

Jack, my nurse, and several more people laugh. Jack stands up straight so I can see the room full of people behind him. I know them. I know them all.

“You’re Viking Warriors.” I can’t help but laugh with them. Only laughing hurts. I lay my hand against my throat.

“Here you go.” Dana holds a straw to my lips.

The first sip of water hurts. The next soothes. I push the straw away when my throat is no longer dry.

My eyes find Jack’s again. “I was shot.”

His face drops. “Yeah. I’m sorry, angel.”

“Not your fault.” I turn to my nurse. “Am I going to be okay?”

“Yes, ma’am. You’ll have some therapy, but you’ll be fine. I hear you’re a nurse, too. Maybe one day, I’ll see you around here in scrubs.” She looks across the bed to Jack. “I knew you could talk her back. Doctor McCormick will be by soon. We let him know she’s awake.” Dana waves to Jack’s family and quietly leaves.

“Hey, sweet girl.” Jack’s mother moves to the side of the bed and squeezes my hand.

“Hey, Nanny.” I smile up at her.

Her smile fades. “No, ma’am. I’m not Nanny to you anymore.”

“Mom,” Jack warns.

“What? Why? You’re Nanny to everybody.”

“Uncle Jack officially claimed you,” Everly announces. “Nanny’s Mom to you now.”

I snap my eyes to Jack. “You did what?”

“You’re his ole’ lady. We’ve already ordered your cut.” Everly claps and bounces on her toes.

“Did he now?”

“Yep. You’re officially ours now. No takebacks.” Everly giggles.

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