Page 4 of If Tomorrow Never Comes

“That’s great.” Maisy crossed to her and hugged her. “We’re so sorry.”

“Let’s celebrate that this is all over.” Katie hesitated then turned to Joe. “Will told me everything, Joe. Diana’s here, you know.”

Lara cringed. “Yeah. I hit her pretty hard.”

“Well, you didn’t kill her. That’s good.”

She guessed that would have to be enough.

The doctor joined them. “Mr. Kirkland is going to be sore and out of work for six weeks.”

Katie raised her chin. “I’ll make sure he rests.”

“How’s Diana Hartfield doing?” Lara asked.

“I can answer that because the police were here and told me you were the victims. Mrs. Hartfield will recover. She’ll have a bad headache and most likely a concussion. But she’s awake and seems lucid. There’s cops stationed at her door. They want to take her in as soon as she’s discharged.”

Relieved, Lara perked up at that.

They were all allowed to go in to see Will.

“Hey, everybody.” Will’s voice was stronger than it should be.

Joe said, “I’m sorry this happened to you because of me.”

“Hell, don’t go all guilty acting with me. We know it was Hartfield’s fault. And I’ve been shot before.”

“Not because of us,” Lara told him.

He directed a half-smile at Katie, who sat close to the bed. “I’m going home today.”

“You most certainly are not. I refuse to let that happen.”

Joe laughed. “Lara gave me hell earlier, too, when I told her she shouldn’t have come to my rescue.”

Lara chuckled. “Damn right.”

Will sighed as he stared over at Katie. “Well then, since I’ll have time, I have a question.”

“For who?” Katie asked.

“You, Lieutenant Donovan.” With his good hand, he took hers. “Will you marry me?”

The water bottle Katie was holding slipped to the floor. Her face beamed. “Yes, yes, of course I will.”

Then everybody started talking at once.

* * *

When they left the hospital, Lara said, “I hope Sammy’s all right.”

“Sammy rose to the occasion. He voiced his concern for both of us, but he seemed happy at all the action.”

“Yeah. It must be hard to have that same boring routine every day.”

“I have some ideas about that.” Joe squeezed her arm. “Let’s try to settle down before we get back.”

Lara didn’t ask him to elaborate. Too much had happened to her and Joe today and Will. She didn’t want more bad news.