Page 54 of Rekindle My Heart

“Not me. The tires. I think they shot out the tires.” His voice was low, and his blinks were growing longer. His pupils looked good, but she didn’t want him to sleep if he had a head injury. Even though the pain med would make him drowsy.

He pushed against the gurney and winced.

“You need to rest.” She stayed him with a gentle hand to his chest.

“I need to go check the vehicle. I don’t want anyone messing with the evidence.” He lay back but fidgeted.

Ever the cop. No way he had the energy to go investigate the scene.

“You’re going to the hospital to get checked out.”

“But…” He tried to sit up, pushing his broad chest against her hand.

“Okay, Superman. I know you’re worried about the crime, but I’m more worried about your health.” She guided him to lay back down and didn’t even use any pressure.

“Erica, I have to go.” Determination bolstered his voice.

“Fine.” She sat back and gestured to the door. “Sit up and swing your legs over the side and I’ll let you go.”

He narrowed his eyes, then took an audible breath.

Erica readied to catch him. She would sedate him, if necessary, but really didn’t want to.

He reached for the IV.

“Nuh uh. Not until you can sit, and I deem you fit to work.”

He scowled but braced himself with his elbows. Small beads of sweat popped out on his forehead. Less than a foot up and he cringed.

She felt bad for the stubborn oaf, but she knew the best way to win with Ryan was to let him realize he was wrong. She just hoped he didn’t do more damage. Until he had X-rays and a complete checkup, they couldn’t say if he had internal injuries.

Ryan made it halfway to sitting when the energy slid from his body. Erica quickly supported him and guided him back to the gurney.

“Call Larson. I need her to check the tires.” His head dropped back, and he closed his eyes. “Promise.”

“I promise.” And she would, but first, she needed to make sure he was going to be alright.

Five minutes later, they wheeled Ryan into the emergency room entrance. A couple of nurses and a doctor started assessing him as they took him through the double doors.

Erica hugged herself as she watched his still body being taken away.

Garrett tapped her on the shoulder. “Let’s pack up. They’ve got him now.”

She nodded, unable to talk around the lump that formed in her throat. He was right. Ryan would be fine. But not for the first time over the last decade did a flashback hit her. It propelled her back to the night she and Ryan rushed through these same doors. But then it was her sister being sped away.

It was the last time she saw Sarah alive.

Brushing the chill from her arms, she followed her crew member. Ryan would be fine. Yeah, he was too stubborn to…

She couldn’t say the word, even in her mind.

Erica climbed in the truck and pulled out her phone. She scrolled through until she found Detective Larson’s number. She hesitated, hovering a finger over the call button. Her gaze cut to Garrett before she tapped the message icon and a text box popped up.

As clearly and concisely as possible, she texted out the events of the crash in Ryan’s words, then hit send.

The three dots appeared a second later. Amy replied, “On it.”

A second later came another text. “Thanks.”