Page 30 of Hearts & Embers

The statement wasn't defensive or self-congratulatory. It sounded more like an explanation.

"I know."

"He was the reason we were there."

I understood what he was telling me. More importantly, I understood what he wasn't saying. Jasper wasn't asking for approval, forgiveness, or reassurance. He was simply explaining a reality that shaped every decision he made at work.

"Cody explained."

Something eased in his expression and we remained quiet for a moment or two. Eventually I glanced toward the clock on the wall.

"You realise our dinner plans are probably ruined."

A laugh escaped him and he immediately regretted it.

"That’s painful."

"Then don’t laugh."

The smile that followed looked considerably more genuine.

"We can reschedule," he offered.

"I wasn't suggesting we cancel."

His eyes remained on mine.

"I'd hate to think I almost died and still got stood up."

Despite everything, I laughed. The sound felt unexpectedly welcome inside a hospital room.

Jasper was injured and recovery wouldn't be quick. The reality of his job looked very different now that someone I cared about occupied the hospital bed instead of a stranger. Even so, he was here, he was going to recover, and for the first time since Cody's phone call I could finally breathe properly again.

Chapter Twelve

Jasper

The first forty-eight hours after leaving Mercy Hospital proved considerably more frustrating than the injury itself. Pain medication helped, the shoulder repair appeared successful, and the doctors seemed pleased with early progress.

Unfortunately, none of those things changed the fact that simple tasks suddenly required far more effort than they had a week earlier. Opening jars, carrying groceries, putting on shirts, and performing dozens of other ordinary activities became unexpectedly complicated when one arm was largely unavailable.

The situation would have been easier to tolerate if everyone around me had behaved normally.

Instead, Firehouse 99 collectively decided I was incapable of surviving independently.

The first indication arrived less than two hours after I returned home. Cody appeared carrying enough groceries to survive a minor natural disaster, Ingrid arrived the following morning with prepared meals and strict instructions regarding recovery and Cole called twice during the first day, somehow managing to disguise concern beneath a discussion about departmental paperwork. By the end of the second day, I’d accepted that arguing accomplished very little because nobody appeared interested in my opinion although they had heeded my warnings about staying for more than an hour at a time.

Aurora found the entire situation amusing.

"You realise they're doing this because they care about you."

I balanced the phone against my shoulder.

"They're doing it because they enjoy interfering."

"Those aren't mutually exclusive."

"You're taking their side."