Page 83 of Samuel

He sat down next to her, brushing her hair behind her ear before gently cupping her cheek with his hand. He needed to hear that she was okay. That the baby wasn’t hurt. He needed her to agree to get checked out because the sooner they left, the sooner he could get her back to the ranch and tucked into bed to rest.

“Evie. You look like you didn’t sleep at all last night, and your lip looks painful. I’m not asking. Let’s go.”

“I can’t.” Her head fell forward into her hands and the floodgates opened. Sam could barely make out anything she was saying. “I had no one to call for help.”

Well, fuck. Sam heard that part loud and clear.

“It’s okay. Just breathe, sweetheart. Just breathe.”

“Jake, I need you to come out to the ranch.”

Evie lifted her head off Sam’s chest. She couldn’t say how long she’d been there, safe in his arms, so it didn’t surprise her that she hadn’t even realized he’d pulled his cell phone out.

“No, Sam?—”

He held up the hand that had been running soothing strokes up and down her back. “I understand, but I need you here. As soon as you can. It’s Evie.”

She was about to protest again when his hand slipped over her cheek and gently pressed her face back down to rest on his chest. He was bound and determined to have someone look at her. Fine. But she’d only allow herself the safety of his hold for a few more minutes.

“She’s okay. It’s not an emergency, but I’d appreciate you swinging by when you can.” He paused, running his fingers through her hair. “That will be fine. See you then.”

“You didn’t need to bother Jake. Haven’t you had a split lip before? It hurts, but it’s okay.”

“Haveyouhad a split lip before?”

“Well, no.”

“I’m not taking any chances, Bluebell. You’re being stubborn as hell and I’m trying to honor your independence, but there’s only so much I can handle.”

“Thank you. For calling Jake.”

His arms tightened around her, and she let her eyes drift close. The restless night, filled with hours of cleaning up and setting everything back in its place as best she could, was catching up to her. Not to mention that Jellybean had been more active than usual. Probably energized by the adrenaline that pumped through her body during and after the attack.

A knock came at the apartment door and Evie flinched. She didn’t want to react like that. She hated it. But she was so exhausted, and her body just would not slip out of survival mode.

“Are you okay?”

“Mm.”

“I thought you fell asleep.”

“I did. For a little bit, I think.”

“I’m gonna get up and get that, sweetheart. You okay?”

The concern in his eyes was going to make her cry. And she’d done enough of that for now. “Yeah, Cowboy. You don’t have to keep asking.”

Sam helped her sit up and then slipped out from behind her. She missed his warmth immediately. Part of her wished he wouldn’t have insisted on Jake stopping by, because she was finally feeling relaxed enough to drift off to sleep. The other half was thankful for the checkup.

“What’s going on with Evie? Where is she?” Jake’s concern made her stomach swim with nerves.

“I’m right here. And I’m okay. He shouldn’t have made you come out this way in the middle of your day.”

Jake apparently wasn’t even going to try and hide his shock. The look he gave Sam was downright murderous, and Evie’s mouth popped open with surprise.

“We need a minute alone.”

“What? I’m not leaving.”

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