“You should go inside and get out of those clothes, take a shower.”
He was right. She knew that.
“C’mon.”
“No. We need to clean the chopper.”
“I can do that.”
“It’s part of the job, Ry, no matter what happens out there.” She needed him to let her do her job. If she didn’t, she’d break, and she wasn’t ready for that to happen yet.
There must have been something in her eyes, her voice, because he nodded then said, “I’ll help restock when we’re done.”
Restocking supplies wasn’t in the pilot’s job description, but she would take his help this time. She didn’t want to be alone right now. Busy hands, busy mind.
Rylan kept up a steady chatter while they cleaned up. He talked about the area, what he’d discovered in the last six months since moving to Sunnyville. He talked about where he’d been in the world with the army, asked her if she’d ever traveled, and where she’d go if she could go anywhere she wanted.
Neither of them mentioned the woman and child they’d left at Golden Valley.
And for a while, Mazey didn’t think about them. Not a stray thought until she heard the thud thud thud of the other chopper coming in.
“Bex is back,” Rylan said unnecessarily.
“Hmm . . .”
They stopped and watched their colleagues land and disembark. Bex waved and said something to Jack and Tate before heading in their direction.
Mazey knew it wasn’t going to be good before Bex opened her mouth. “They lost the mother.”
She wasn’t aware of her legs giving out until she hit the tarmac with her knees. “And the baby?”
“Holding in there, last I heard.”
Words failed her, so she tipped her head in acknowledgment.
“Thanks, Bex.” Rylan put his hand on Mazey’s shoulder and squeezed. “We appreciate the update.”
“No problem.” There was some kind of silent communication between Rylan and Bex before she added, “We’ll finish up the chopper for you.”
“Yeah, that would be good.” Rylan reached down and gripped Mazey’s elbow, lifting her to her feet. “See you inside.”
“We can’t—”
“Walk, Mazey.”
The command brooked no argument. Her legs felt numb, and each step she took seemed to drag. If it wasn’t for Rylan’s hand, for his steady push toward the admin building, Mazey didn’t think she would have made it.
And when he steered her straight to the bathroom, she was grateful. Grateful someone else was in control. Devon stepped out of the communications room, and when she saw the look he gave her, the sympathy and concern when he shook his head, she knew.
Knew despite their efforts, they’d lost them both.
Rylan groaned and pushed her through the bathroom door.
She didn’t protest Rylan’s domineering manner. Not when he maneuvered her into a shower cubicle and turned on the water.
She didn’t protest when he stripped her down to her underwear and moved her beneath the warm spray either.
She definitely didn’t protest when he stripped out of his flight suit, stepped into the shower, and wrapped her in his arms, pulling her close and holding her tight.
