Page 38 of Her Steadfast Hero

“I’m going downstairs with you. I want to check on Carys.”

David held out his hand as he opened the door. She took it, and they started down the hallway, skipping the elevators and heading straight for the stairs. Sarah tugged at his hand as he paused at the spot where she had hit Dr. Stanton.

“Don’t think about it, David.”

That wasn’t going to be possible. But he let her lead him away. The idea of the two of them being separated clawed a hole in his gut. He knew how worried she was about him, but he was just as worried about her. The only saving grace was that she would constantly be surrounded by people and should be safe. But he wanted to be the one watching over her.

As they walked into the lobby, it was pandemonium. The lobby doors were wide open, as gurneys passed through towards ambulances. There were still two curtained off areas. Amidst all the dark hair of the Las Flores residents, it was easy to spot the blonde giant that was Aiden O’Malley as he hovered over the strawberry blonde doctor. What the hell? David checked his watch. Yep. Three hours ago she had been held hostage, and now she had a stethoscope held against a young woman’s chest.

“Do you see them?” Sarah was on her toes, but she couldn’t see over the throng of people. David tightened his grip on her hand.

“Follow me.”

“Doc, do you mind telling me what you’re doing. You need to be resting,” David said in his most reasonable tone of voice.

“Yeah, what he said,” Aiden growled.

Carys made a shushing motion with her hand, then finished listening to the woman’s lungs. She ignored the two men and spoke to Sarah. “How many more in the rural areas need to be brought into the hospital?”

“If they’ve made it into the clinic and needed hospitalization, I’ve gotten them there. The problem has been all the people who haven’t been able to make it to the clinic. I keep hearing reports of people who have died because of untreated injuries. We need an outreach program. Carys, we need to go to them.”

“No way,” David said. “Not while there are convicts still on the loose. You are not going door to door looking for earthquake survivors who need care.”

“Yeah, what he said,” Aiden agreed.

“Don’t you have anything original to say?” Carys snapped at Aiden.

“Okay, get to bed. There’s a room with your name on it. You just killed a man and were covered in your blood and his. You’re still shaky.” Aiden gently clasped her wrists in his hands so that they could all see her hands tremble. “If you’d give me that damn stethoscope, I’d find your heart still racing. You’re white as a sheet. You need to rest for a couple of hours, or better yet, have some food and go to sleep for the night.”

“I didn’t ask for a monologue.” Shit. She was shocky. That sounded like she was pouting.

“Dr. Adams,” the SEAL said in a soothing tone.

“Carys,” she corrected petulantly.

“Carys. He’s right,” David interjected. “You were the one who insisted your people rest the first day you landed. I really respected that.” She was on the fence. He turned to Sarah.

Come on baby, bring it home.

“Carys, if I was to check your blood pressure right now, what would I find? Let’s go get some food. You and I can talk about the outreach plan. Then you can get a little bit of rest while I take over down here.”

“Fine,” she huffed. “Since I was triple-teamed. Where are you two going?” she asked David and Aiden.

“We have to go to the prison. They’re coordinating the manhunt for the remaining prisoners.”

“Are they as dangerous as the…” Carys’ voice trailed off.

“They’re all bad,” David said grimly.

“Go get your food, Carys. When you’re figuring out your outreach program, factor in military personnel going with you,” Aiden warned.

“You too, Sarah, and it will be me.” There was no way he was leaving her safety in anyone else’s hands.

“Same goes, Carys,” Aiden said emphatically. David looked over at the big SEAL. The man worked fast.

Sarah was smirking, and she looked adorable. He pulled her into his arms, loving how easily she wound her arms around his neck. His beautiful gray-eyed nurse. Her lips molded to his and everything around him fell away, just Sarah remained.

“Captain.” Okay, Aiden was still here.

David lifted his head, admiring her wet lips. One last quick kiss. She carefully pushed at his uninjured shoulder.

“Stay safe,” they said in unison and laughed.

“Okay, Aiden. Let’s go.”