Page 121 of Just (Fake) Married
He nodded. “That’s who we were going to see.”
“Okay. Okay, honey.” I pulled him against me and called Chuck.
The next thirtyminutes were a blur and seemed to take forever, but also happen instantly. Chuck showed up before the helicopter. He ran, like I’d never seen him run before, towards the up-ended tuck.
“Cin!” He shouted, heading for his granddaughter. Ethan stopped him, explaining that they needed to wait for the EMTs to move her.
Noah buried himself into Chuck’s arms and the two of them watched helplessly as Ethan set flares on the road for the air ambulance to find us.
When they did arrive, Ethan worked with the EMTs to secure Cinnamon to a stretcher for transportation. He was laser focused. Clear-headed and completely in charge. Whatever I thought was his element before, I was wrong.
This was Ethan as he was meant to be.
“I’m going with the team,” he shouted, over the sound of the whirling helicopter blades. “Chuck will get you back home.”
I nodded.
“You sure you’re okay?” he shouted.
I nodded again and touched his cheek to assure him I was fine.
He seemed to accept that. I watched him duck and run to the helicopter. Watched as he fearlessly climbed on board, his total focus on the injured patient at his feet.
The helicopter lifted off the ground, hovered and then took off for Big Horn. Leaving me with Chuck and his great-grandson and the shattering conclusion that I was absolutely and completely in love with Ethan.
And I had to let him go.
TWENTY-NINE
ETHAN
Tag: Ethan was a hero tonight.
Mac: Jesus, don’t call him that. It will go to his head.
Tag: Saved a woman who’d hit an elk out on WYO 33. Called the medevac helicopter. Probably saved her life.
Ethan: Technically, we both hit the elk. And Dr. Blackfeather called the air ambulance. I just called her.
Tag: He’s being modest.
Carter: Who was it?
Ethan: Cinnamon Swift. Remember her? Chuck’s granddaughter.
Seth: Cinnamon Swift?
Carter: Wasn’t she in your grade?
Mac: No. She’s younger than Seth.
Seth: You sure it was her?
Ethan: Chuck came and picked her kid up. So, I’m pretty sure it was her.
Eli: Her mom was a real piece of work.
Carter: Holy shit, it’s another Eli sighting.
