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I held my breath, watching Pop’s face as if my life depended on it.
Pop massaged his temple, continuing to listen to whatever Walsh was saying to him. “All right. Yes, keep us posted. Thank you.” He hung up, a look of relief washing over his face. “They got him. The women are safe.”
“Where is she?” I asked.
“They’re taking her and Heather Douglas into the police department in Bozeman to get statements and all that.” Pop hesitated, stuffing his phone into this pants pocket. “He came out shooting, and they had to take him out.”
“But he didn’t hurt Elliot or Heather?” I asked.
“Walsh says they’re fine, other than some rope burns on their ankles and wrists.”
“Thank God,” Mama said, collapsing onto the couch next to Sammie.
“Walsh told her you were all right,” Pop said to me. “That was the first thing she asked the team.”
“She must have been so worried,” Sammie said.
“Seeing you bleeding by the side of the river—who could blame her for thinking the worst?” Mama said. “The poor girl. We have to do everything we can to make her feel safe when she gets back.”
“When can she come home?” Rafferty asked. “I’ll go pick her up.”
“I’ll come too,” Thad and Soren said at the same time.
“Walsh said it could take a few hours but that she can come home afterward,” Pop said.
“Not to the motel,” I said. “She needs to stay here. Put her in my room. I’ll sleep out here, but I don’t want her alone in that motel.”
“Or we can have her stay with us,” Mama said.
“I think she’d be happier here,” Finley said with a quick glance at Sammie. “Right?”
“She’ll want to be wherever Caspian is,” Sammie said softly. “I’m quite certain of that.”
“Then let’s go bring her home,” Soren said. “I’ll drive.”
After my brothers left,the drug started to do its job, rendering me pain-free but also dazed and sleepy. I was not in any shape to walk up the stairs so I remained in the easy chair, falling in and out of consciousness until I passed out for good.
When I woke, sunlight streamed in through the window. The house was quiet and I didn’t smell coffee, meaning even Sammie was still asleep. I looked to my left to see Rafferty sprawled out on the couch fast asleep. When had they gotten home? I’d wanted so badly to be awake when Elliot arrived, but the medicine had prohibited that desire.
Cold, I pulled the blanket up to my shoulders. The pain had returned but not nearly as bad as the day before. I’d tough it out until I saw Elliot for myself.
Rafferty, perhaps sensing I was awake, stirred and then opened his eyes. He abruptly sat up, raking his hands through his hair. “You all right? What can I get you?”
“Elliot. That’s all I want.”
“She’s asleep in your bed,” Rafferty said. “By the time we got her home last night, Finley and Sammie were asleep on either end of this couch. Mama and Pop were in the living room on the foldout couch. Chloe was the only one in her own bed.”
“Was Elliot all right? How did she seem?” Even if she hadn’t been physically harmed, she’d surely have lasting trauma.
“She was fine. The woman’s tough as nails. Heather Douglas said Elliot was a rock the entire time.”
I smiled to myself. She’d been through a lot in her life, but she never gave up or succumbed to self-pity. “I can imagine.”
Rafferty helped me up so I could use the bathroom and brush the fuzz off my teeth. I declined a pain pill but agreed to some Tylenol instead. By the time I was back to the family room, I felt as if I’d run a marathon. I gratefully returned to my chair.
From the kitchen came the sounds of someone making coffee and breakfast. Soon, the air filled with the nutty scent of espresso beans and bacon. I was surprised to feel hunger gnawing at my insides. But more than anything, I wanted to see Elliot.
Soon, I had my wish.
