Page 55 of Rekindle My Heart

The hose coiling around Erica’s chest relaxed. Amy would make sure the vehicles were processed as Ryan requested. The two were close. No doubt on that after Larson’s protective line of questioning the other night. But in that one word, she could read the heart-felt emotions of the tough-as-nails detective. Larson didn’t have to inquire more as Erica gave her all the information in the one text—a report of sorts.

“You good?” Garrett’s low tone cut through the rumble of the engine.

“Yes.” She slipped her phone in her pocket and worked to push the image of Ryan on a stretcher from her mind.

The sun hung low in the sky by the time Erica finally finished her shift. She should be flopping into bed about now. But no, she was being serenaded by the beeps of monitors and pages over the intercom as she walked down the white-on-white walls of the hallway. Headshots of the physicians stared back at her as she made her way to the nurse’s desk at the intersection of the patient rooms. She waved to the two nurses at the desk as she moved farther down the hall, looking for Ryan’s room number.

At least he had been moved to a regular room. When she called earlier, the desk clerk had told her he had been admitted for observation.

Why? Brain swelling? Internal bleeding? Her medical knowledge could be scary, so she tamped down the thoughts of rare complications that could occur.

His door was open, but the curtain around his bed was closed. It was well past visiting hours, but being a medic, the nurses at the station didn’t bat an eye as she strolled right by them.

She knocked softly, not knowing if he was awake. When no reply came, she stuck her head around the curtain. Ryan lay in the bed, eyes closed. Peaceful. Her focus zeroed in on the monitors. All looked normal.

“Erica?”

She jumped. “Mrs. Daniels.”

How could she have missed Ryan’s mom sitting quietly? The older woman pulled an earbud from her ear and smiled. “I haven’t seen you in years. Come in.”

Erica motioned to Ryan. “Is he…?”

“Just sleeping, dear. They gave him some sedatives. You know Ryan. He wanted out of here the moment he woke.” She shook her head. “So like his father.”

Erica looked out the door. “How is Mr. Daniels?” It felt weird making small talk, but Doris and Dave Daniels had been like second parents to her growing up.

“Oh, he couldn’t sit any longer, so I sent him down to see if the vending machines had anything sweet.” She set her book aside.

“Not likely.”

“Well, I guess he might be a while.” She winked. “Come sit.” She patted the seat beside her on the small couch.

Keeping one eye on Ryan, Erica moved to sit beside Doris. The older woman instantly pulled her into a warm hug.

“It’s good to see you.” The soft smile, and faint lines around the older woman’s eyes were so comforting to her that Erica released the breath locked in her chest. When she pulled back, her attention shifted back to Ryan.

“He looks better than earlier.” At Doris’s questioning look, she continued, “I was the medic on the scene.”

“Did you talk to Larson?” A faint mumble came from the bed.

Erica startled. “You’re awake? How do you feel?”

“Fine. What did Larson say?”

“On it.” She watched as his shoulder melted deeper into the pillows.

“Other than this jackhammering in the back of my head, I’ll live.”

She could tell he was surveying her even before he opened his eyes.

He cracked his eyes open a slit.

Yup, cop eyes. Erica cut her gaze from his to his injuries.

“Your legs?” She balled her hands into fists to keep from checking them again.

“Not broken.” Ryan spied the door, then reached for the call button.