Page 14 of One Kind Soul

hands rubbing up and down the sleeves of her sweater.

She looked as if she needed a hug.

Christian wanted to be the one to give her one.

Chapter Three

Nicole’s leg bounced as she sat in the hospital waiting room. She’d left a message for Tessa, but her bestie hadn’t called her back yet. Tessa was probably off doing wedding things or canoodling with her fiancé. Nicole couldn’t blame her. Her friend had no idea Nicole and Christian had almost kicked the bucket today.

A shudder wracked through her body. One moment she’d been climbing into Christian’s truck and the next she’d been nearly crushed by that same truck. Only Christian’s fast actions had saved her. The man had used his own body to shield her.

His. Own. Body.

She couldn’t wrap her mind around that. What kind of a person did that for someone he’d only known for about an hour?

An amazing person. A totally selfless person. The greatest person who had ever lived.

And how the hell long did it take to rip a piece of glass out of someone and stitch him closed? Because Nicole needed to see Christian. She needed to know he was all right. She needed to . . . pay him back somehow for saving her life.

Her phone buzzed in her lap and she fumbled to pick it up. “Oh, Tessa, thank God!”

“You sound freaked,” Tessa said immediately. “Why do you sound freaked? What did Christian do?”

“He only acted like a complete knight in shining armor,” Nicole said.

“Oh no,” Tessa said. “I told him not to flirt with you. Don’t fall for it, Nicole. You’re stronger than this.”

“No. He didn’t flirt with me,” Nicole said. “He saved my life instead.” She told Tessa what had happened and how Christian had reacted so swiftly and bravely. “I could be dead right now, Tessa. He was like a superhero.”

“And you’re sure you’re okay?”

“Totally fine. I’m impatiently waiting for someone to tell me Christian’s leg is stitched and he’s ready to leave the hospital.”

“But you guys don’t have a vehicle to take you to Vermont?”

“Sadly, no. I got a call from the police saying Christian’s truck was towed to a local mechanic, but it’s a goner.”

“We’ll come get you guys,” Tessa said.

“It’s late, Tessa,” Nicole said. “By the time you get here and then we drive back, it will be even later. How about you swing by tomorrow? I’ll find a hotel and we’ll hang for the night.”

“Was that Christian’s idea?” Tessa’s voice held more than few notes of suspicion.

“No. It’s mine. I didn’t ask him yet, but I’m sure he’ll agree. He’s got to be beat after what happened, and he’s already driven nearly four hours today to get to Boston. He’ll probably welcome the chance to sleep.”

Tessa made a funny noise—one that sounded a little disapproving. As if she didn’t believe Christian would only sleep.

“Look, you warned me about him, Tessa, but he hasn’t done anything besides save my life, so I’m fairly certain whether he flirts with me or not that I’m safe with him.”

“Yeah. You’re probably right. I’ve seen him in action, you know? I don’t want you to become another one of his fun times.”

“Trust me, we’re both going to be having some aches and pains after the accident. We’ll hit our hotel rooms, sleep, and meet you in the morning.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll text you where we end up.”

“I’m so glad you two are all right,” Tessa said.