Page 63 of Hero's Heart

He scrubbed a hand down his face. This wasn’t exactly how he’d imagined seeing her again. Not that he’d thought he’d be seeing her again at all.

But none of that mattered now. He needed to get her out of this cold and see what the hell was wrong. He slid his arms carefully beneath her, startled at how light she was as he lifted her off the cold ground.

“What are you doing here, Sloane Miller?” he murmured to her quiet form, his voice soft despite the edge of frustration. “And why didn’t you just come to the front door?”

The cabin door groaned in protest a few minutes later as he nudged it open with his foot, carrying her inside. He laid her gently on the couch, the worn leather creaking under her weight. Callum crouched beside her, his sharp gaze sweeping over her again—too pale, too still, too damn fragile-looking for his peace of mind. Bruises dotted her forearms, shadows darkened the hollows under her eyes, and her lips were dry, cracked.

Something wasn’t right.

Callum straightened, reaching for his phone. Dr. Annie Mackay’s number was saved under “Doc Annie,” and she picked up on the second ring.

“What kind of trouble are you calling me about at this hour, Sheriff?” Annie’s voice was heavy with dry humor. “You lose a fight with a porcupine again?”

“Not me. It’s…” He hesitated, glancing at Sloane. “Someone else. Passed out cold. Pale. Bruises on her arms. Not dehydrated as far as I can tell, but she hasn’t come to yet.”

Annie’s voice sharpened, the sleepiness gone. “Vitals? Pulse? Breathing? Any noticeable wounds?”

“No wounds. Vitals steady. She fainted, I think. But there’s something off.”

“Off, as in broken bones or concussion?”

“No, nothing like that.” Callum rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes never leaving Sloane’s still form. “She just looks…done in. Exhausted.”

Annie was quiet for a beat. “You said bruises?”

“Yeah. On her forearms. They’re not bad…” But honestly, the sight of any bruises on Sloane brought him back to the ones that had covered her thighs and chest from Nikola Kozak’s mistreatment.

Once again, Callum wished the man were here so he could pound the shit out of him.

“It doesn’t sound like she needs a hospital. I’ll come by. Zac’s with me, so he’ll drive. Give us fifteen minutes.”

Callum disconnected the call and set the phone down with a soft thunk, his brow furrowing as he paced the small room. Every now and then, Sloane’s eyelids fluttered, her head turning slightly as though caught in some dream. Each small movement sent a sliver of relief through him, though it didn’t stop the questions screaming in his head.

Why was she here? Why had she been sneaking around? Why was she showing up now after two months without a word?

The soft rumble of a car pulling into the driveway snapped him out of his thoughts. Callum opened the door before Anniecould knock, her husband Zac trailing close behind her. Zac’s easy grin softened the edge of Callum’s tension. He’d known this man for decades. Was honored to call him a friend.

“Didn’t think we’d get called out tonight,” Zac quipped as they stepped inside, but Annie was already kneeling beside the couch, pulling a stethoscope from her bag.

“Thank you. I know it’s late,” Callum muttered.

Annie’s focus was on Sloane as she ran through a quick assessment. “How long’s she been out?”

“Right before I called you.” Callum crossed his arms, forcing himself to stay out of her way.

Annie pointed to the door. “You guys give us some privacy.”

He wanted to argue, but he knew the doctor was right. He followed Zac outside, the calm night air a stark contrast to the tension within the house.

Zac turned to Callum, one eyebrow raised. “The ladies just passing out on your couch these days? That’s an interesting dating plan.”

“This one was actually wandering aroundoutsidemy house and tripped an alarm. If I’d known it was Sloane, I wouldn’t have done my best defensive end impression and tackled her.”

“Sloane, as in…MoldovaSloane?”

Callum wasn’t surprised Zac had heard about her. Gossip ran rampant in a town the size of Oak Creek. “Yep.”

“I thought she lived in Seattle. How did she end up here?”

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