Page 105 of Coming Home

“Doug, talk to me. Where were you headed today?” Nat knew she needed to keep him talking. The drooping eyes and dazed look indicated a possible concussion.

“To the bakery,” he mumbled.

“What were you going to get there?” She pushed him to keep talking.

“Scones for my grandma.”

Elle ran up, waving her cell phone. “Paramedics are on their way. They are on speaker.”

Finally!“This is Dr. Nat Owens. We have two victims. One awake with a laceration along the hairline, cuts and scrapes along his arms and back, and possible concussion. The second victim is unconscious with a steady pulse.”

Terror brightened Elle’s eyes.

“The ambulance is on the way. ETA five to ten minutes, Dr. Owens,” the operator said. “I’ll remain on the line with you until they arrive.”

Nat nodded as if the operator could see her. Looking at Elle, she ordered, “Grab a pair of gloves from the kit and put them on.”

Elle placed the cell phone on the ground between them and complied.

Once Elle had the gloves on Nat said, “Keep Doug talking. If he passes out, scream for me. Also…” She grabbed Elle’s hand, placing it over the head wound she’d bandaged. “…hold on to this tight. I’m going to check on Noah.”

Elle nodded at Nat and then turned to Doug. “Hi, Doug, I’m Elle. Do you like books?”

Tugging off her gloves, she tossed them to the ground, put on a fresh pair, and then grabbed the cell phone. Jumping to her feet, and sucking in a deep breath, she ran to Noah’s SUV.

Doctor first, girlfriend second.She willed panic down. Noah needed her to be his brave girl. To be his warrior.

Reaching the open driver’s side door, she found Clayton. He stood there, hands on his head talking to Noah, who was slumped against the steering wheel, thin streams of blood ran down the side of his face.

“I didn’t move him. I keep talking to him. He hasn’t woken. He hasn’t moved.” His voice shook.

She handed the phone to him. “Hold this. The operator is on the line. Hold it up so I can hear and talk to them if needed.”

Nodding, he took the phone. “Noah, Nat’s here. She’s going to fix you.”

With a tentative reach, Nat touched Noah. “Baby, can you hear me? You’ve been in a car accident. You are on the side of the road in Perry.” The last thing she wanted was for him to wake up thinking he was at that roadside in Iraq.

Heart still racing, she pressed shaking fingers to his neck, relieved to find a strong beat. “His pulse is good,” she assured Clayton, who let out a thankful breath. He’d already checked Noah’s pulse, but it appeared they both needed the confirmation.

Gently guiding Noah back against his seat, she turned to her brother. “Clayton, come hold his head up.”

Clayton placed the phone on the ground and reached his long arms in to keep Noah’s head up. Nat pulled up Noah’s eyelids and shined her cell phone’s flashlight into his eyes.

“Baby, can you hear me? It’s Nat. I’m here, baby. I’ve got you.” The forced steadiness in her began to break. She was losing the battle to remain Dr. Owens and not his Nat. “You need to wake up because Clayton needs to apologize for being an asshole.”

“I do, and I want you to be awake when I do.” His lips trembled. “I want you to be awake when I tell you how fu–fu–fu–fucking wrong I was. That I love you and I am ha…ha…happy you’re with Nat. Although, if you hurt her, I’ll ki…ki…kick your ass.”

Nat flashed him a tight smile.

Sirens howled in the distance.

Noah remained unconscious. Nat’s breath grew ragged, and the tears pushed to the front of her eyes.Fuck it!She was no longer Dr. Owens; she was his Nat.

“Noah, you’re not allowed to leave me. I won’t allow it… Not when I’m finally yours, and you’re mine. I love you. I love you. I love you,” she wept, pressing her lips against his bruised and bloodied face.

Noah groaned, and his eyes fluttered open. “Nat?”

“I’m here, baby. I love you.” She kissed his lips.

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