Page 50 of Ultimate Freedom

“I’ll go to the hospital with Justin. I need to make sure he’s going to be fine.”

Demi handed him her phone. “Did you need to call anyone, let them know?”

Both Demi and Whit heard the relief in his voice. “Thanks. I wanted to call his mom and girlfriend to meet us there. I’m sure one of them will give me a lift home after we know what the doc says.”

“Give your wife a call too so she knows you made it. If she hears about the slides, she’ll be terrified. It’s not good for her to be upset in her condition.”

“Right, I’ll text her. If I call, she’ll want to talk forever. She’s been very lonely with me gone. Don’t suppose I’ll be going back to the fields anytime soon… if ever.”

Whit joined the conversation. “I hope you made a bundle while you were there. Sometimes gold panning pays off.”

“It did. We made one hell of a strike just a few days before we quit. It’s why we were so reckless on the way home. We were celebrating our good fortune.”

“I’m glad. Good for you.”

“Yeah… not so good. It’s all in the truck down at the bottom of the ravine.”

“Christ. I’m sorry, man. That’s tough.”

“Yeah. But not nearly as bad as it might have been. We could be down there with it. Still can’t thank you enough, Whit.”

Demi spoke up. “Add your contact number so we can find out how Justin is down the road. And… how your little one is. Do you know if it’s a boy or girl?”

“Not yet. Don’t care. Just want a healthy baby.”

Chapter Thirty-one

Demi didn’t know whether to be sad for the two young men or furious… or just plain thankful they made it out alive. Guessing she felt all of the above, after they took Justin into the ICU, she hugged Mitch goodbye and then followed Whit outside.

Whit’s husky voice consoled. “Well, that was quite the drama, wasn’t it? I thought we’d be here hours ago and now your poor friend will be fretting like crazy.”

Demi turned into his arms for a quick hug. “I sent her a text as soon as the phone worked again. She’s waiting for us in her room.”

“Do you want me to go in with you?” He looked down into her expression and picked up on her hesitation.

“Or… Maybe I’ll just get us some accommodations for the night. There’s no way we’re going to be driving anywhere soon.”

“Would you mind if I saw her alone?”

“Of course not. It’s probably best that you do. If you need anything though, let me know. I’ll text you our room number as soon as we’re registered.”

Once they were settled in the truck and on their way to the hotel, Demi reached over for his hand and lifted it for a kiss. “How did I ever get so lucky to find you?”

“Me? I’m the one who struck pure gold.”

“And I’m not in the bottom of the ravine.” Demi teased and loved the sound of his bellowing laugh.

Once, they pulled into the parking lot of the hotel, they kissed, and she went to find Bella’s room. Not knowing what to expect, she sure as hell wasn’t prepared for the emotional wreck that greeted her.

***

“Demi!” Tears gushed, and Bella’s voice cracked. “Thank God you’ve come. I’ve been holding myself together forever, and now that you’re here, I’m a mess.”

The swollen belly covered in a ratty old robe and baggy sweatpants plus the blotched face and long black hair tied up in a messy knot was nowhere near the image of the gorgeous FBI agent that Demi had left behind.

She gathered the tearful woman in her arms and led her to the bed. Seeing the tall statuesque beauty so pregnant and so miserable struck her as completely wrong. Isabella had the control of a machine. Nothing rattled her… ever.

“Honey, it’s all going to be fine. We’re together now. You know when it’s the two of us against the world those fuckers better watch out… right? Always been that way.” Demi used Bella’s own words back on her and fretted when she saw that they didn’t register.

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