Page 82 of Not This Time

The blame for how things had transpired rested squarely on the shoulders of the killer himself.

Ethan didn’t seem to know how to reply, though. He simply said, "Oh..."

He trailed off, and she held his gaze as if challenging him to make an issue of it.

She said, "He put himself in danger. Put us in danger. How's Carter?"

"She's fine. Asked for you a couple of times."

Rachel allowed herself a rare smile. She swung her legs over the bed. "Here, help me," she commanded.

"Are you sure you're supposed to be moving around?"

"I'm checking out," she retorted. "Enough damn hospital food."

Ethan looked panicked at this, but he hurried over to help her rise from the bed.

Her whole body ached, but she refused to say it.

"And don't get any ideas," she said, "of sneaking a pack. This hospital gown is closed in the back."

"I wasn't..." he frowned. "Trying to even the score."

She smirked, leaning against him and allowing him to carry her weight as she hobbled towards the door. Her knee was bruised from the collision in the car. Her chest ached from hitting the muddy ground. And her right arm was covered in glass cuts.

As they made their way down the hallway, Rachel couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. She was finally leaving the hospital, and she could already feel the fresh air outside.

Ethan was saying something, but she was ignoring him. She didn't need to be convinced to remain cooped up in a hospital bed.

She needed her freedom. Needed to leave.

She picked up the pace, still hobbling along, but determined to escape the hospital.

Still, it was nice to have Ethan Morgan on her arm. The handsome, tall ranger was not just easy on the eyes, but gentle in his demeanor. A golden retriever. A puppy of a man…

But not entirely. He’d handled Jeb Clark expertly. He was an excellent shot too.

She nodded in appreciation, feeling the warmth of his skin against hers as they moved towards the nearest elevator.

The partnership was working out, she decided.

At least for a while longer.

Epilogue

As Ethan pulled away from the hospital parking lot, wincing apologetically at the nurse who'd tried to bring Rachel back to her room, Rachel turned her attention towards the street ahead.

Ethan moved slowly, clearly not wanting to jar her or cause any further pain.

But in her estimate, the doctors and her higher-ups had overreacted to the whole thing.

She shook her head, shifting in her seat at Ethan's side.

Ethan was saying something, but she was distracted. she frowned; then she paused, hesitating at the vibrating phone in her gown's front pocket.

She pulled out the device.

"Who is it?" Ethan asked curiously.

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