Page 3 of Bleeding Hearts

“Fuck,” I say under my breath. Dragging the equipment down the embankment, I keep my pace steady. Once I’m there, I drop it and make a quick decision. “Burrow, I’m taking point. You get your ass down here and help Crosby and Bentley.”

“Problem?” Sam Bentley raises an eyebrow while lowering his body to inspect the vehicle’s stability.

“Hold tight, honey, I gotta see what’s crawled up Archer’s backside. Don’t go anywhere.” Shari sets her feet on the ground and shoots me a piercing look. “What am I missing? I checked the vehicle. It’s stable.”

I don’t bother explaining myself and point toward Sam. “Do what he tells you to do.”

Circling around her, I hoist my body up. My grip on the passenger door tightens as I stare down at the woman returning my gaze. “Bethany?”

“Seriously?” Her huff is quickly followed by a wince, indicating discomfort. “I was hoping to see your sister, not your smug face. What do you want?”

My sister is a paramedic. Bethany knows this because Cora spends a lot of time at my house. Neighborhood gossip is a common topic of conversation for them while standing in my front yard.

The words that tumble out do so involuntarily. “Mind if I climb in? I showered this morning. Put on clean clothes and didn’t step in any mud puddles on my way down the hill.”

“Only if you promise not to yell about my Christmas lights still being up. With my recovery, they’re not going anywhere for a while.” Despite her eyelids drooping, she keeps on talking. “I know how much they annoy you, but I promise, as soon as I can, I’ll supervise the boys to ensure they don’t kill each other while taking them down.”

I reach behind me where Shari stands with a neck brace in her hand. Taking it from her, I slowly lower myself into the passenger seat until I am able to put it on Bethany. “I guess that’s acceptable. Now hold still, I need to put this on you.”

Her eyes open again, staring into mine while I work. “You know, a considerate neighbor would volunteer to help me take them down.”

“I guess it’s a good thing we both know I’m not a considerate neighbor.” I smirk the best I can in this situation. “Maybe I’ll see if Mr. Crawford can do it. The biggest challenge will be keeping him from damaging your bushes or trampling through your carefully cultivated flowerbeds. I hear he’s a peeping tom, so make sure you close your curtains.”

“Don’t you dare.” She coughs, and the raspiness in it catches my attention.

“Look at me.” With her neck brace in place, I meet her bloodshot eyes, reflecting the weariness she’s suffering through. “I’ll make a deal with you.”

“Okay.” With a slow inhale, she releases a breath, as if each one causes her pain.

“You sit here like a brave, beautiful girl and let us do what we need to do, no bitching, and I’ll make sure you never have to climb a ladder to hang or remove those lights again.” On a whim, I lift my hand and lightly brush a few strands of hair away from her forehead.

“As long as I get to sit on my lawn and supervise to make sure you do it right.” Her cute pink tongue darts out and wets her lips. “And I’m not a girl. It’s been years since I’ve been one of those.”

I find it funny that’s what she focuses on, not the other word I used. “Deal. Now let’s get you out of here. If you get scared, look at me. Until you’re out and safe, I won’t leave your side. You ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” She sighs and then closes her eyes again.

“Bethany?” I call out her name, but she doesn’t answer. “Bethany?”

The vehicle moves with a slight jolt. I know it’s just the guys making sure we don’t move until we’re ready.

“How’s she doing?” Sam’s voice echoes from behind me.

Reaching for her right arm, my fingers press against her wrist, checking her pulse. “She’s steady, but we need to hurry. Her left leg is crushed, and she’s coughing. Let’s start cutting the top off so we can pull her out.”

Bethany grunts. “Is that really necessary?”

“Hush.” Taking the blanket from Sam, I cover her with it. “No bitching, remember?”

One eye opens as she gives me the stink eye. “Just do it. I’m tired and you’re getting on my nerves.”

Sam snorts while starting the machine that cuts through the metal, allowing us to peel off the roof like opening a sardine can. Before he gets started, I lean against the passenger seat and put my boots on the front window. With a solid kick, I send the glass flying, clearing the way.

It takes thirty-seven minutes from the time we arrived to get her out of that damn vehicle. I never once leave her side. When the shock set in and she began trembling, I was right there, holding her hand tightly to comfort her. I talked her through it as best I could, rechecking her vitals regularly.

Her confidence in our ability to save her never faltered. I haven’t seen someone that brave in ages, and as the ambulance drives away, leaving us to clean up, something inside me shifts.

“You did good.” My captain lays a hand on my shoulder as I help put our equipment away. “I wasn’t sure that you being in there was a good idea, but I was wrong. You kept her calm, allowing us to get her out faster.”

---