Page 25 of Stalked

He turned back to Rosalyn. Tears were streaming from her eyes. He knew his looked the same.

“Pull the towel all the way over your face,” he yelled back at her. “I’ll guide you out.”

She didn’t argue, just pulled the towel past her nose, over her eyes. It wouldn’t help her for long, but it had to be better than nothing.

She was putting her trust in him completely to guide her out. He wouldn’t let her down.

He crawled as rapidly as he could—feeling her hand on his ankle as she crawled behind him—until he found what he hoped was the right door. If not, they would be in dire straits. He could feel heat licking behind them.

The sound of glass breaking came from the other end of the hall, probably firefighters, but they wouldn’t get the blaze and smoke under control quickly enough to help Rosalyn and Steve.

Steve reached up from his crawl to the door handle and sighed in relief when it opened.

They were at the stairs. Steve dragged Rosalyn inside the much cooler stairwell. People were running down the stairs, some crying, some screaming.

Steve stood and scooped Rosalyn up in his arms. He pulled the towel down from her face to find her looking out at him with those blue eyes.

“I’m okay,” she whispered, voice a little husky. “I can walk.”

He shook his head. He wasn’t going to take a chance on her getting trampled or knocked down the stairs by someone in a panic.

He’d almost lost her twice today. And that wasafterhe’d already ID’d her dead body.

He carried her to safety himself.

CHAPTER NINE

Rosalyn found herself being checked out by Dr. Puglisi for the second time in eight hours. Another ultrasound.

And thank God again both she and the baby were all right.

“I can admit you if you want, especially since it seems like fate wants you here in the hospital.” Dr. Puglisi peered over her medical chart at Rosalyn. “But honestly, there’s no reason for you to stay.”

Rosalyn’s eyes and throat hurt, like Steve had told her his did. Neither of them had inhaled enough smoke to do any real damage, thanks to Steve’s quick thinking and ability to get them to the stairwell and out of the smoke rapidly.

“You’re fortunate, of course,” the doctor continued. “Both times tonight. Especially for someone who seems to be a magnet for trouble.”

“I don’t want to stay at the hospital if I don’t have to, and if the baby is safe.” Rosalyn put a hand protectively over her stomach.

“That little guy is perfectly fine. As a matter of fact, any day now you’re going to be feeling him move more pronouncedly.”

“All I’ve felt is like I have bubbles in my stomach all the time.”

Dr. Puglisi smiled at her. “Those bubbles, the fluttery feeling, is your son.”

“It is?” Rosalyn looked over at Steve. He was looking as shocked as she felt.

“Trust me.” The doctor smiled again, then turned toward the door. “It won’t be long until it’s less like bubbles and more like karate kicks. Now, please, don’t let me see you back here again tonight.”

The doctor left and Rosalyn turned to Steve. He’d been by her side on the ride to the hospital—he’d driven them himself this time instead of taking an ambulance—and the entire time she’d waited to see Dr. Puglisi. He’d been pretty quiet that whole time too, pensive. The only time he really talked had been when he’d stepped out into the hallway to discuss something with someone from the sheriff’s office. He’d also been back and forth on his phone all night.

“I’m going to take a shower.” She slid her legs over the side of the hospital bed. They’d been given a private room with a bathroom; she might as well make use of it. She had a change of clothes in her tote bag.

“Good idea. I’ll take one as soon as you’re done.” He walked beside her to the door, as if he was afraid she might need help.

“I’m okay,” she told him. “I didn’t get hurt.”

He flattened his lips, narrowed his eyes, obviously upset. They’d both almost been killed twice tonight, so his anger was justified.

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