Page 32 of One Heated Summer

"I thought I lost you," he confessed, his voice breaking. "I was crazy with panic."

"You didn't," I whispered, my voice stronger now. "I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. How did you find me?"

“Cash and I heard the gunshots and went to investigate. We found blood in the stables and saw your pickup was missing. After speaking with the sheriff in Grantin, Cash and I decided to check out Lannigan but I can’t give you a reason why. It was just a gut feeling, I guess.”

“Thank fuck for your gut feelings. I honestly thought Finn would kill me.”

“Greg…Brad’s partner said Finn wanted your estate. He said you did good figuring out that Brad was getting you to say you already had co-owners and men appointed to inherit so Finn would think he had no hope of stealing from you.”

I nodded. “I assumed that’s where he was leading and it worked but Finn was enraged that he couldn’t get his way. I was sure he’d kill us all. I was terrified I’d never see you again,” I confessed as fat tears rolled down my cheeks.” I love you so much, Jensen.”

Jensen’s face lit up in a smile filled with love. As he leaned in to kiss my forehead, I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth and love of the man who had come after me. Despite the pain and fear, I’d survived, and with Jensen by my side, I could face whatever the future held.

“Harlyn Johnson?” A tall man, wearing a white coat and holding a clipboard, asked as he approached. He was obviously a doctor.

“That would be me,” I smiled.

Jensen pushed his chair back, giving the doctor room to stand at the side of the bed.

“I’m Doctor Raines, has anyone explained what has happened since you were brought in?”

“No, I only just woke up and you’re the first to come in that I’m aware of.”

“Okay. I’m the surgeon who operated on your ankle. We removed the bullet and I pinned the bone to keep it stable. You’ll need to stay off it for the next six to eight weeks. An MRI showed your shoulder was dislocated and it has been manipulated back into position. Your arm will need to stay in a sling for two to sixweeks. I’ll have you come back in two weeks and we’ll reassess both injuries. You have quite the black eye but nothing is broken or badly damaged. It should heal fine. Any questions?”

Close to tears, I shook my head. The doctor patted my hand. “You’re a lucky woman from what I’ve heard. Do you have someone at home to help you? We could release you in forty-eight hours if you won’t be alone.”

“I’ll be with her around the clock, Doc.”

My head snapped to Jensen on hearing his comment. “You can’t be with me all the time, you have a ranch to run,” I said before breaking into sobs.

The doctor held his hand up. “And with that, I’ll be leaving you two to sort it out. I’ll call on you again tomorrow.”

“Thank you,” I managed to squeak out before he left.

Jensen folded me into his arms, careful not to injure my shoulder, and kissed the top of my head. “I’ll organize my men and yours and between them they’ll manage. I’ll help out by mucking the stables and doing some farmyard feeds at your place as long as you’re okay for a couple of hours. I’ll hire Sheba to keep an eye on you, although she’ll probably lie at your feet and sleep,” he laughed.

“She’ll have to have a run, Jensen, she’s a working dog and can’t be expected to lie around.”

“Elijah or Cash will take her out. She’ll be fine. Can I get you anything?”

“No, sit with me for a while. What’s the time?”

Jensen glanced at the watch on his wrist. “Just gone eleven.”

“You need to sleep!”

“It’s eleven in the morning, not at night.”

“Where the hell did yesterday go?”

“You collapsed in Brad’s office after the shooting. Doug—the sheriff was checking you over by the time I burst into the office. He was going to call for an ambulance but I put you in my truck and brought you here. It was quicker. They took you for tests, then into surgery, and you came into this room about two o’clock this morning.”

“You’ve been here all that time?”

“Did you think I’d leave you alone?” Jensen countered and my heart melted on hearing his question.

“Thank you.”

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