Page 22 of Rescued Dreams

Amelia’s words echoed in his ears. The breakfast tasted sour in his mouth, and a few of the others shot him glances. He knew she’d gone outside.

Kane nudged him. “You aren’t going to figure it out unless you talk to her.”

They’d gone over the entire relationship in the past few days. Kane knew more than anyone, because his cousin was his best friend and more like a brother. Even when he’d “lost” him when Kane had supposedly been killed in action, he hadn’t let the other man go. They’d found a way to communicate.

“I know. Thanks.” Ridge pushed his chair back and went to the entrance. Didthankseven cover it?Thank You.

Sandra, at the front desk, pointed to the door. “She went outside.”

Ridge went that way, not sure how this would go. Amelia was mad, and there was nothing he could do about it when he was part of the problem. It could seem more like rubbing salt in the wound.

He pushed open the door and heard an odd, muffled cry. She was on the ground with two guys on her. “Amelia!” Before the door closed, Ridge yelled, “Call 911!”

He ran for the two men on top of Amelia, who were holding her down. “Hey!”

He kicked at one, who stumbled back. The other guy dragged his buddy to his feet.

The door behind Ridge swept open and more than one person ran out, their footsteps pounding on the concrete.

The two assailants turned and ran.

A group of firefighters—and Kane—chased them. Ridge raced over to Amelia, who was already trying to get up. “Stay where you are. Don’t get up.” He touched her shoulder and crouched. “Let Trace check you out.”

He wanted to pick her up in his arms and carry her inside. Did she need the ambulance to take her to the hospital?

Ridge looked at her face. She had flushed cheeks, and her gaze didn’t quite focus on him. Her breaths came fast. “Where are you hurt?”

“I’m not.” She took a breath. “I just got knocked over.”

He frowned.

Amelia reached up and pushed hair back from her face, got some small pieces of gravel off her hand, and brushed off her palms. He spotted a tiny wince.

“Trace and Kianna are going to check you out anyway. Whether you’re injured or not.”

Amelia pinned him with a stare. “Is that an order, Lieutenant?”

“It’s an order from your chief.” Macon stood behind her, his arms folded across that massive chest. The guy looked like a battleship standing like that.

Ridge felt like a tugboat being pushed out to sea. She didn’t want him to help her. Or she was so stubborn, so unwilling for anyone to see her as less than a hundred percent capable, that she refused to admit weakness. Or injury.

Amelia flinched, her shoulders curled in a little and her expression blank.

Ridge didn’t know what it meant, but it sure wasn’t nothing. He couldn’t ask because Trace dumped a duffel beside Amelia and crouched. “Make some room.”

Ridge got out of the way and wound up pacing a few steps. He spotted Kane and a couple of the others coming back, looking disappointed.

Kane shook his head. “They jumped in their car and took off.”

“Your bro here nearly jumped on the hood to stop them.” Eddie grinned.

“I did not.”

Eddie lifted his chin. “You thought about it.”

Kane didn’t deny that. Instead, he said, “Is she okay?”

Ridge made a face because he didn’t know. It was the same thing he’d been dealing with for months. Amelia’s inability to admit when things were less than optimal. Or that she had any kind of problem.Orthat she had any kind of personal life whatsoever.