Page 78 of Adam's Rising

At the hospital in Wasilla,she finally fell asleep after a proper meal, IV fluids, and two blankets wrapped tight around her. Adam stood by the bed, unmoving.

Rusty touched his shoulder. “You did it, kid.”

Adam sighed. “I haven’t saved her yet. Not until Claire opens her eyes again.” Not until she said his name while awake. Until she was home.

“Okay, kid. I understand. I get it, believe me.” Rusty filled his lungs, then released the breath. “I gotta get back to the ranch. I called Clara Mae, but you know how she is.”

Adam stood, hugged him. Rusty had dropped everything, and then had gone with him, not knowing if they would encounter the bad guys. As much as Adam wished they’d been there, so he could have ended this, he remembered the bullets that had flown last time. Claire could have caught one.

“Tell Clara Mae thank you, Rusty.” He stopped. Words couldn’t express what he felt. “For everything. Tell her I’ll make her proud. I’ll turn her ranch around, and she’ll never have to worry about it again.”

“You already made her proud, kid.” Rusty patted him on the shoulder, then left.

Peter lingered in the doorway a few minutes later, as if he were afraid to come inside. “I need some fresh air. I’m gonna get something to eat at that café.”

Adam nodded.

Peter nodded and left.

Sometimes, that’s all it took between brothers — a nod.You good?

Adam stayedat Claire’s bedside, his head resting on the mattress, hand covering hers.

“Adam…” Her voice was a weak croak, but her fingers tightened around his.

“You came.”

He stood so he could see her face.

“I’ll always come,” he whispered. “No matter what.”

She blinked slowly, as if even that small movement hurt. “Where’s Lala?”

Adam leaned closer. “Lala? She’s fine. We thought someone took her, too, but she was with Boyd.”

“She… was… there. I smelled —”

She swallowed hard, so Adam reached for the water pitcher. He filled the styrofoam cup and added the bendy straw, holding it to her lips.

Claire sipped, then nodded, letting him know she was finished. “Charlie. She was there.”

“Who’s Charlie?” Adam asked. He didn’t know anyone named Charlie. “Was that one of the men you mentioned?”

Claire’s lips twitched. “Charlie’s the… name of her perfume. Lala’s… perfume.”

Adam’s jaw clenched. “You smelled her in the cabin?”

Claire locked eyes with him. “I’m sure of it. I didn’t understand why I didn’t hear her scream. If you didn’t find her body, that means… Lala was with them… she let those men…”

Adam pressed his forehead to hers. “Honey, Lala was with Boyd.”

“She was there, Adam.” Claire’s heart monitor raced. “She has to… pay… for what they did to me.”

A nurse charged in, looked at the monitor, then glared at Adam. “Leave. Now!”

Claire started to object, but the woman pulled out a syringe, quickly filling the IV port with something that made Claire’s eyes close.

As much as Adam didn’t want to leave her side, this was better. She needed to rest.