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“I’m pretty sure he’d be cute out of his uniform as well.”
Sydney shook her head. “Clementine. You’re a married woman. A pregnant married woman.”
She put a hand over her mouth. “I totally didn’t mean it that way. I meant with regular clothes on.”
“Right.”
Clementine laughed. “Don’t tell my husband.”
“Your observation of the new deputy is safe with me. But now I need to check him out.”
Gage groaned. “Can you two quit crushing on the new deputy, please?” He opened his eyes. “I’m trying to sleep.”
Clementine stood and hugged him. Gage groaned again, and she let go. “I’m sorry.”
“I had a tree land on me this morning.”
“I’m so sorry.”
He looked at Sydney. “Did the paper get out?”
“Of course.”
Clementine sat back down. “And he’s back.”
Gage rubbed his forehead. “Not completely. I feel like…I’ve been awake for a week.”
“Your body went through a lot.”
“Fortunately, I don’t remember any of it. The last thing I remember is starting the coffeemaker.”
Sydney patted his arm. “It’s probably good that you don’t remember.”
“I guess. But I don’t like having a hole in my memory.”
Clementine smiled. “Sometimes that can be a good thing.”
Gage closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them. “I can’t seem to stay awake.”
“You don’t need to stay awake for us. We’ll just sit here and watch you sleep.”
“That’s very comforting.” He took a breath and winced. “Corbyn says I have several bruised ribs. I think that tree did a number on me.” He shook his head. “How did I not see a tree falling? I must be an idiot.”
Sydney shook her head. “You’re not an idiot. You were distracted by whatever you were photographing.”
“Photographing. Dammit, my camera. I must’ve had a camera on me.”
Clementine took his hand again. “Cabe has it.”
“Don’t let him open it. I need to see what I was taking a picture of. Even if the camera is trashed, the film should still be okay.”
“I’m sure he knows. But I’ll remind him.”
Gage sighed, then winced again. “Damn breathing.”
“Pain or not. You need to keep doing it.”
When the door opened and Booker came through it, Gage raised his hand a few inches off the bed in a muted wave.
