Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 92899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
As we started moving toward the main building, a large SUV pulled up, and Marians began pouring out. Ella took a flying leap at Tommy, who stumbled back as she hugged him.
I watched to make sure he was okay, but then I was quickly overtaken by my own Marian entourage. “You look like shit, Muscles,” Tilly said, frowning up at me.
Granny squinted at me. “Scars are sexy. Black eyes… not so much. Tell ’em it was a bear. Makes for a better story.”
Irene just tutted, licking her thumb and reaching for my eyebrow. I ducked out of the way before her germs made contact with my open wound.
Tommy glared at them with an anger that surprised me. “Ladies, let the man go. He’s hurt and tired. Tilly, back off.”
I suddenly remembered what she told me about Tommy’s job offer at the cookout. Had it only been the night before last? How was that possible?
Exhaustion returned with full force, causing me to feel unsteady on my feet. I locked my knees and plastered on a smile. “This is too much for me,” I murmured. And then I turned and walked away.
The rest of the walk to Cabin 8 passed in a blur. I remembered the heat of the shower on my sore muscles, the long gulps of cold water from the sink tap after I brushed my teeth… and then nothing but the soft comfort of my small bed.
I slept for twelve hours. When I woke up, it was dark outside, and there was no sign of Tommy or Chickie. I texted him, half-worried I’d hear the phone ping here in the room, but there wasn’t a noise or vibration. Neither was there a response.
I blew out a breath. I’d managed to go nearly the whole day without thinking about our confessions in the cabin the night before—a dramatic rescue followed by hours of unconsciousness were handy that way—but now that I was alone and feeling human again, Tommy was all I could think about. The shock on his face when I’d confessed that I loved him. The warmth in his eyes as he’d said he loved me, too. The way my whole body trembled with the need to hold him. The fact that I still didn’t know how the fuck we could be together without one of us taking a huge leap and giving up… well, everything.
I made my way to the SERA dining room in search of them, but I only found Jasper sitting and eating a bowl of pasta while reading a dog-eared paperback. Chickie lay quietly at his feet until she saw me.
I squatted and gave her some love before looking up at Jasper. “Hey, man, you seen Tommy?”
Jasper glanced up and gave me a hesitant smile. “Dr. Marian went on a callout with Monroe and Sierra. He asked me to watch Chick.”
“A callout?” I frowned. “For what?”
He shut his book and set it on the table. “From what I could gather, some kids were goofing around while on a trail ride, and one of them got thrown and kicked by the horse. They were pretty deep in the backcountry, so they called for a medevac. SERA’s on the list if they’re the closest team and time is an issue.”
I was upset I’d missed the chance to go, but I also knew that it was way more important for the helicopter seats to be filled with medical and helo specialists than a SAR guy.
“That kid’s in good hands,” I murmured. “Hope they’re okay.”
Jasper nodded and poked at his pasta. “I hate that someone got hurt, but I’m glad Tommy got a chance to get out of here.” He made a face. “Trace was kinda ripping into him all afternoon about going out alone during a storm. He was, ah… loud.”
I winced as I took the seat across from him. “I’m sure Tommy already feels bad.”
“I’m sure he does. But I get why Trace was upset, too. You’ve got to own up to your mistakes and try and do better.” He gave me a half smile. “That’s maybe the most important thing I’ve learned at SERA. Definitely worth the four times I had to apply before I got picked.”
His words surprised me—not that he hadn’t gotten in on the first try, since Trace was incredibly selective, but that Jasper had tried again, and again, and again. When the program had started, he’d been cautious to the point of being evasive, ducking responsibility and deferring to louder voices. I hadn’t been impressed. But Tommy had encouraged me to give him a chance, and Jasper had stepped up. A lot.
“I’m glad you stuck with it,” I said after a beat, keeping my voice even. “You’re a rock-solid student.”
“Yeah?” Jasper gave a short laugh and rubbed the back of his neck. “Shit. That means a lot. I, um… I know I wasn’t when I first got here.”