Page 27 of My Mail Order Valentine

"I thought…"

That's all he manages to say before he has a coughing fit. It's so severe that I think he's going to cough up a lung. The doctors rush back in, and I place a gentle kiss on his lips.

"I love you, Elena."

I try not to let him see my dismay at his confession. I love him too, but his life is so dangerous.

"The doctors will take good care of you."

I place the oxygen mask over his mouth and nose, and he nods at me before closing his eyes. I leave the room, nearly in tears, searching for a bathroom where I can release my feelings, but the group of firefighters and their partners stop me.

"He's letting them take care of him now," I say.

Most of them return to their seats in the waiting room, but Claire stays with me.

"You're leaving him."

I feel myself blanch. How did she know I was thinking of leaving? I don't say anything because I'm not sure of anything right now. Claire pulls me to the side and gives me a stern look.

"He loves you."

"He just told me."

"Do you love him?"

"I do." My tears threaten to spill.

"Then that's that. Isn't it?"

"It's more complicated than that. You know it."

"Don't give up on him."

I walk away from her and head to the bathroom, where I can cry freely. After about an hour and several people checking on me, I leave my temporary sanctuary and return to the waiting room. Claire approaches me.

"They're keeping him overnight for observation. He inhaled quite a bit of smoke. His burns are not serious. I can get one of the volunteers to stay with him tonight so he's not alone."

"No, I want to do it. Let me just check with Mrs. Brown if she's okay with Evie staying longer."

Mrs. Brown is happy to take care of Evie, and I go into Hunter’s room once they tell me he's resting comfortably. I sit in a recliner next to his bed and look at his pale face. I love this man, but being with him could bring me constant heartbreak.

I watch him closely all night long and notice he opens his eyes every now and then, but slumber always overtakes him. Too bad that when he finally wakes, I'll be gone.

Chapter 9

Hunter

It takes me three days to leave the hospital, even though my injuries are not life-threatening. I'm desperate to see my daughter, but no one will tell me where Elena is. The captain dropped off some clean clothes for me to wear once my paperwork was ready, and he was there waiting for me to be discharged.

"Thanks for everything, Jack."

"You can take some time off to be with Evie and your girl."

"No. If you need me, call. I know we're short-staffed right now."

"That might upset your girl."

"I don't know if she's my girl. I only saw her that first night I was hurt, and the next morning she was gone."

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