Page 91 of Montana Manhunt

“You’re feeling sick.” Noah set the mike bag on Violet’s lap. “Can you find what you need?”

She gave a slight nod and plucked a small bag of pain meds operatives used on missions and a package of anti-nausea patches.

Noah took the package from her and applied one patch behind her ear. “How long will this take to work?”

“An hour.” She hoped the soft drink and crackers would hold her until the medicine kicked in.

Grant returned to the SUV and handed Violet the soft drink and box of crackers. “Would herbal tea help?”

“If you see a coffee shop, chamomile and mint tea would be nice, but don’t go out of your way, Grant.”

He shifted his gaze to Noah, eyebrow raised.

Noah cupped Violet’s chin and turned her face toward his. “Violet, are you sure you’re up to doing the interviews? We can go back to the hotel for a few hours and track down the women this afternoon.”

“I should be better by the time we arrive.”

“Orders?” Grant asked Noah.

“Let’s go talk to the women. If Violet is still feeling ill, you and Rayne can interview them.”

“Yes, sir.” Grant cranked the engine and drove from the parking lot. Soon, they were on the highway, driving away from Morrison.

Noah wrapped his arm around her shoulders and settled Violet against his side. “You scared me,” he murmured.

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“I’m the one who’s sorry. I failed you, love.”

She stared at him. What was he talking about? He’d done everything right. “I don’t understand.”

“I knew you were a target. I should have walked with you to the bathroom and waited outside the door.” His fingers lightlytraced the edge of the bandage covering her stitches. “This is on me.”

“Stop. You know this isn’t your fault. I don’t know how the attacker knew I was at the funeral home. I didn’t post it on social media, but how hard would it be to guess I would visit the only funeral home in town?” She kissed his jaw. “Maybe it was pure bad luck the attacker found out I was there. He saw the rental in the parking lot and walked inside.”

“I should have been with you. I could have stopped him before he hurt you.”

Violet nudged him gently. “I have a few stitches and a headache. He has a deep knife wound. If we’re comparing injuries, he lost.”

The stiffness left Noah’s body as he chuckled. “Score one for the sassy paramedic.”

That’s what she was looking for. Making him laugh was her goal in life. “Mind if I lean against your shoulder for a few minutes?”

“Of course not.”

Wasn’t much, but hopefully the small favor would allow Noah to feel as though he was helping. Violet settled against his shoulder with a sigh. “Don’t forget our conversation.”

“No chance.”

Good. She wanted that conversation. Curiosity was eating her up. Was it possible Noah’s feelings for her went deeper than he’d admitted?

She shivered. For Noah to be falling in love with her would be a dream becoming a reality. The past few days had pulled back the curtain and allowed her to see the truth. She was in love with Noah Mann, and if he rejected her, her heart would be irreparably broken.

Noah shrugged off his jacket and draped it around her, then settled her once more against his shoulder. “Rest, baby,” he whispered. “I’ve got you.”

Just those few words allowed her body and mind to relax, to turn off the pain for a while and sink into sleep.

Sometime later, Violet woke to the backs of Noah’s fingers trailing down her cheek. She opened her eyes to see the man she’d dreamed about, the one who held her heart in the palm of his hand.

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