Page 14 of Lethal Threat

Payne’s jaw tightens. “I know this has to be hard. You’re going to be on convalescent leave until this is sorted.”

Like I care. I have a bigger problem. I’m going home with a stranger that I saidyesto at some distant point in the past.

Not that everyone isn’t a stranger at this point. But I’m engaged to one.

Yikes.

The man passes me a small brown paper bag that I didn’t notice he had. “Slaughter sent you a couple of things. He heard your clothes got destroyed.”

I sit up. A bit of surprise flutters through my shocked state. “That was nice, thank you.”

Anne moves to the side of the bed. “That was thoughtful. I was going to give you some scrubs so you didn’t have to leave in one of these awful gowns.”

I peek in the bag. It holds two neatly folded items. I tuck it against myself and say, “Thank god. At least one thing is going well. The rest of my life seems to be in a blender.”

After an exchanged look with Anne, the Colonel takes a step toward the door. “Sierra, I’ll be waiting for word of your full recovery.”

Then he’s gone.

I groan and Anne pats my shoulder. “I have more news.”

“Shoot me now.”

She pats some more. “I hate to tell you this, but your fiancé has already arrived. He’s in the office down the hall meeting with the doctor.”

I fly out of the bed. Stumbling over the tray-table as I go. It clatters loudly.

She jolts back. “You can’t be jumping around like that. You have a concussion.”

“I just had a heart attack too.” I clutch the paper bag tighter with clammy hands.

“Easy.” She pries the bag away. “Let’s take one thing at a time.”

I’m in total freakout mode. “He’s here?”

“Yep. He’s fine looking, I might add.”

I struggle to inhale. But when I exhale, a rush of words come with it.

“My hair! Oh my god. I couldn’t get the tangles out. I have to get dressed.” I spin in a frantic circle.

“Whoa.” Anne grabs my arms. “That’s why I’m here. We’re going to brush your hair and get you ready.”

She guides me to the chair. As she starts to drag the hairbrush through my tangles, I pepper her with questions as I stare at my ring finger. “Wouldn’t I have a mark on my ringfinger?”

She lifts a clump of hair and gets to work on the end. “Not everyone wears a ring. A lot of nurses for example.”

“What if he’s weird?”

There’s a soft chuckle behind me. “I’m not laughing at you, dear. I’m just imaging all the fun you could have meeting your fiancé and falling in love again.”

I make a gagging sound. “I’m too nervous.”

“It’s all going to be fine.” She keeps brushing until all the tangles are gone.

“Thanks, Anne. I bet you’re a mom.”

“Two daughters. They might meet ‘The One’ some day. I sure hope so. I’d like knowing they have a strong man by their side.”