Page 102 of Blue Norther
I just wanted to get home to my baby, but I knew we needed to take a trip to the hospital, too. He’d slipped something in my drink to make me weak, and I wouldn’t risk nursing our son and exposing him until I knew what it was, and that it was no longer in my body.
Nate walked back into the house, his hand coming up to clap Colt’s shoulder a few times before he turned towards me.
“Hey, apple-anche. You good?”
I nodded my head. “Thank you, for having Colt’s back. He was distracted. He looked at me, and I distracted him. Ryan was so close. If you hadn’t…I’m so sorry you had to…”
“No.” Nate sat next to me, his hand resting on my arm. “I did what I was trained to do. I discharged my weapon to protect another officer from potentially fatal harm. He had a chance to stop. Colt told him to drop the weapon, and he chose his fate. And I’d do it again, Violet. It was the right call.”
I nodded. “Are you going to be in trouble?”
“I’ll have my badge and weapon taken until internal affairs completes their investigation. It’s standard in things like this.”
“So, you’ll be stuck on front desk duty?” I smiled.
“Yeah, I guess I probably will be. But knowing you and Colt are safe…it’s worth it.”
Colt turned from the deputy taking his statement and walked over to me.
“Ready to head home?”
“Yes. More than ever. We just have one stop to make before we can.”
“What?” His face scrunched up. “Where?”
“The hospital,” I said, groaning as I stood. My body felt like it was filled with wet sand. Colt’s hands were on me in a flash, Nate jumping up beside me.
“What do you mean thehospital?” Colt grumbled. “I thought you said you were okay?”
“I am. Ryan slipped something in my drink earlier. I don’t feel as weak as I did immediately after I sipped it, but I’m worried about nursing Connor.”
Colt bent down, one arm going behind my knees as the other slid behind my back.
“Oh God!” I yelped. My arms wrapped around my husband’s neck. “You don’t have to carry me.”
“Yes, I do. Nate, get a ride back to the station with one of the other deputies. I’m taking your vehicle.”
Nate chuckled from somewhere over my shoulder. “Sure thing.”
“Don’t do that to me, Vi.” Colt’s voice was filled with emotion as he set me in the passenger seat of the patrol car. “Don’t downplay something serious. I need to know. I could have had you at the hospital already.”
“I’m okay.”
“Promise me. I almost…” He pressed his forehead against mine. “You are the most important person in my life, and I almost lost you tonight. Forever. I can’t…”
“Hey,” I said, pulling back so my hands could frame his face. “You found me. You came for me. And you saved me. I’m okay because of you.”
I pressed my lips against his.
“I’m okay because of you,” I repeated, knowing he desperately needed to hear those words and much as I needed to say them.
Colt
Three weeks later…
I heard Violet before I saw her; sleep rumpled and stretching as she came around the corner into the kitchen.
“Morning, darlin’.” I smiled as I adjusted Connor in my arms. “How did you sleep?”
