Page 71 of Pick Yourself Up
Gray angled so that she could see the dog and spoke past the lump in his throat. “He led us right to you. He’s a hero.”
Amber gulped and ruffled Boomer. “You’re the best boy, Boomer. Thank you.”
Boomer licked her, then angled so he could keep watch over Allard and his friend while staying within Amber’s reach. Gray figured both the woman and the dog needed the contact. Him, too.
Keeping one hand on her dog, Amber angled her face to Gray. Her eyes were hazy, and he wondered if the bastard had drugged her.
She smiled. “And you, Gray Santoro, are the best man. Thank you.”
He kissed her lightly, unsure how her lips might be feeling. “I think most of the thanks goes to Boomer. I’m so sorry I left you vulnerable to that asshole.”
She smiled softly. “Not your fault. You found me. You and Boomer found me.”
He hugged her tightly, then looked up to find Knox at his side. A glance showed Dodge had the two thugs under his watch.
Knox ran his hand over Amber’s hair. “You okay, sis?”
Tears swam in her eyes again, but she nodded. “Thanks to all of you, I’m fine. Thank you.”
Knox squeezed her into a hug, but Gray couldn’t fully let her go just yet. His buddy seemed to understand and didn’t try to pull her away. Instead, he rested his head on her shoulder and blew out a breath.
The sound of engines approaching had Knox pulling out his gun as he moved around the car. In only a moment, he called. “Backup is here.”
Gray should move. Should get up and do something useful. There was a lot to figure out, but right now, all he wanted to do was hold Amber and never let her go.
So he did.
Amber clung to Gray, unable to do much of anything else. Her body wasn’t entirely under her control, and her brain felt fuzzy.
Having Gray hold her in those strong arms while Boomer stayed close enough for her to touch was all she needed. All she wanted.
She’d thought the situation at The Sidderlight had been bad. Having Allard grab her and use something to knock her out had almost been worse.
She didn’t think she’d been out long, but she wasn’t sure.
Knox reappeared with a smile. “The others are here, and some people from Phail and Midnight Lake, too. They’re all friends.”
She tried to nod, but that caused the wooziness to worsen, so she smiled instead. Boomer whined softly, and she stroked his head. “It’s okay, Boomer. I’ll be normal soon.”
Gray shuddered, and his arms tightened around her. “Did they knock you out with a blow or drug you?”
She heard another voice nearby and instinctively cuddled into Gray.
Knox patted her hair again. “It’s okay, sis. It’s Marcus Ramirez, the police chief from Phail.”
Good. That was good. The chief appeared in her vision and nodded at her. “I’m glad to see you, Amber. Can you answer Gray’s question, or do you need some time? I’ve got a doctor on the way.”
Doctor? “I’m okay.” But her voice shook.
Gray kissed her temple. “You are. But the doctor is a good idea.”
She sighed, knowing she’d do just about anything to ensure they stopped worrying. “He put a smelly cloth on my face. It knocked me out, but I’m okay now.”
The men surrounding her all frowned and Boomer licked her hand.
Gray rubbed his hand over her arm and leant her his warmth and strength.
Marcus nodded. “I’m glad you’re mostly feeling okay. We’ll still get Doc to check you out. Lia Moreno. She’s from Phail and was out at your farm the day we picked apples.”
