Page 133 of Traces Of You

“Christ,” he said. He didn’t want the body count on his brother’s conscience. “Thanks.”

“What about me?” Blaze asked. “I saved your life too.”

“You got a bullet out of my thigh. Thanks.”

“Your femoral artery was hit. You were losing blood fast and that’s why you passed out.”

“You’re welcome again,” Clay said, walking over and giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze.

“Jesus, I’m never going to live this down, am I?”

“Maybe in a few years,” Clay said. “Seriously, how are you feeling?”

“Like I was shot and stitched up. I’m all right though?” he asked Blaze.

“You will be. Going to keep you here a few days just to be safe. Can’t risk you bleeding again. You’ll be on crutches for a bit. Out of work four to eight weeks. Depends on if you follow orders and just sit at your desk or not.”

“I’ll do what I’m told,” he said, his head hitting the pillow again. He was weak just holding it up.

“Since when?” Reenie asked. “Do you want some more?”

She held the straw to his lips and he took a sip.

“I listen to you.”

“Not me,” Clay said. “My plan would have been better and saved everyone from getting hurt.”

“You don’t know that,” Ford said. His brother had wanted to go in through a back window and find Reenie, get her out and then take the three guys unaware by himself. Not happening.

She was his responsibility, his love. He was saving her.

All they had planned to do was knock on the door and look around, get an idea of who was there and say there was a complaint in the area, nothing more.

If Reenie hadn’t come screaming out of the room, maybe it would have worked easier for them to return with backup once they knew what they were dealing with.

But since everyone was safe now, second-guessing was useless.

“Mom and Dad want to come see you,” Blaze said. “We are getting a room ready for you to transfer to. I’ll be here until midnight and check in on you anyway.”

“Can I stay with him?” Reenie asked.

“We’ll get something brought in for you,” Blaze said.

His eyes dropped to the bandage on her arm. “What happened? Do you remember anything?”

“Someone from your department already took my statement,” she said.

“I want to hear it,” he said. “Do you know?” He was looking at Clay.

His brother nodded. “She should tell you. You’ll be proud. I know I am.”

Reenie twisted quickly, winced once, but still said, “You are?”

“Yeah,” Clay said softly. “You did good. We’ll give you guys a few minutes before Mom and Dad come in.”

Blaze and Clay left. “Tell me what you told everyone else.”

“I feel like such a fool,” she said, sniffling. “I should have been paying more attention, but I thought I’d be okay in town. I was around other people, I had your truck, people were waving to me. They know who I am. But that happened too. Randy said they’d been in town for days and watching me. They’d been to the cafe. Not Randy but Bobby and Lyle. I didn’t recognize them. Someone in town told them who I was and where I worked when they asked around.”