Page 118 of Lucky Charm

Day ten since the explosion, she still struggled to stand. Weak muscles and her balance off accompanied every try. Her head ached in a constant throb. Her broken arm was in a pretty blue cast, but remained taped against her side so she wouldn’t move her damaged shoulder. Her ribs were wrapped, every breath ached. Her broken fingers had been intricately taped in place, but she couldn’t feel that because her entire left hand was numb. Maybe nerve damage. She’d had three surgeries – one on her hip and two on her shoulder. She felt broken, mentally and physically. Pain and tears left her impatient and desolate.

“Here, drink a bit.” The rough, deep rumble of Hunt’s voice rolled over her like a comforting blanket.

She sipped and sighed as the dryness in her throat eased. “Hunt? I’m grumpy.”

“You’re allowed, honey. We have you.” Hunt leaned in and stroked the hair from her face.

She lifted her good hand, searching for Hunt’s fingers. Jackie came into her field of vision and pulled another chair close to the bed. “When can I get up again? Put weight on my hip?”

Jackie grimaced. “Physical Therapy will be back later today. The usual procedure is crutches, but your shoulder is a no-go. It’s got to remain immobile for at least another week. So, we have to wait, but no reason you can’t start sitting, moving around, and showering even.”

Cait managed a small smile. “Please. The sooner I check off the list of things necessary to be released, the sooner we can leave. When are they sending me stateside?”

Hunt shook his head. “Hasn’t been mentioned yet. We are thinking,” he glanced at Jackie, “to spring you. Quaid’s here. His grandfather owns a hotel in town. We’ve been staying in a suite there. We could get you more comfortable and cut down on the number of people who come in and out of this room.”

Jackie huffed again. “If you’d sleep at the hotel like Quaid intended, you wouldn’t have a problem not sleeping.”

“No. Not leaving Cait alone.”

She broke into the back and forth, emotion sitting in her throat. “Are we safe here?” The question gave away her state of mind.

The two stopped bickering and stared at her.

Jackie stood. “This is your department, Hunt. Sis, I’m going to go find some snacks. I’ll be back.” She grabbed her coat and purse and with a quick wave left the room.

Cait stared at the door for a minute. “What was that?”

“Her trying to give us time alone.” He looked over his shoulder at the closed door.

Cait shut her eyes and said what she was thinking. “You should go back to duty. I don’t want the Navy mad at you.”

Hunt put a hand on her chin and turned her eyes to his. She fell into his deep green, serious gaze. “I was off duty for four months when I was in a helicopter crash. They’ll wait. I’m staying here with you. I’m in constant touch with Doogie and Scott. All is okay.”

The pain, fear, and days of recovery stretched in front of her. Tears flooded her eyes, a minute-by-minute thing. “I’m going to be laid up for weeks.”

“Then it takes weeks. We’ll figure it out.”

She bit her lip. “You should take an out if you want one right now, because if you don’t, I’m not letting you go.” A teardrop slid down her face.

“I don’t quit. I won’t quit. I’m not letting you go either. I thought we had this conversation.” He pulled the chair closer to the bed and cupped her face, wiping away the tear. “I can take more time. I have days and days of leave left. Even if I use all of it, I have enough money behind me to take a couple months with no pay. I can also get out.”

“I don’t want you to get out.”

“I don’t want you to get out either.”

“My situation is different. I’d already decided before this happened and now…”

“The Army will wait for you to recover. You know that. So do I.”

“I can’t do the job anymore. Hell, right now I can’t even feel my fingers on my left hand.”

“The doctor said the nerves had to regenerate. That’s a problem for the future. Let’s handle the ones in front of us today. Let the rest take care of itself.” He stroked a finger down her cheek.

“This is going to be hard,” she whispered.

“Yes, it is.” Said with the confidence of a man who had recovered from some serious injuries.

The air escaped in a big sigh. What chance was there to make this work? Doubts flew at her.