Rolling to his back, Colt struggled to catch his breath from the impact of the bullet against his flak vest. He may have broken ribs, but at least they were all alive. But he couldn’t find his voice to tell Rusk to let the man go.
Then Maren was on her knees to him, holding his face in her hands.
“Rusk,” he managed in a faint voice.
Maren swiveled. “Rusk! Out! Come!”
Then the dog released his hold on Daniel’s shirt, turned and ran to Colt’s side. He plopped down on his belly and licked Colt’s hand.
Maren’s beautiful, tear-filled eyes stared at him with concern shining in their depths. “Please tell me the bullet didn’t penetrate the vest.”
Unable to speak yet, he shook his to indicate it hadn’t.
She dropped her chin to her chest, her relief obvious.
Testing an inhale, he hissed air at the sharp pain in his upper left shoulder area.
Her gaze snapped back to his. “Take it easy.”
“I know him,” Opal groused, standing over Colt. “He’s arrested me a few times. He’s your partner?”
“Yes. Yes, he’s my partner,” Maren said with a soft smile and then she kissed him.
If only Colt had strength enough to kiss her back, he would. But his heart expanded, causing more pain in his rib cage.
Sirens filled the air. Maren helped Colt to a sitting position, and he was finally able to breathe fully. The sight around gave him grim pleasure. The gunmen who had been surrounding Maren and Opal were on their knees, with their hands cuffed behind them. Two additional men were also in custody. Apparently, Daniel did have additional gunmen.
Daniel was on his knees with his hands behind his back. Pain and rage etched lines on his face.
Colt took grim satisfaction in the sight.
“Maren…” Emmett drew their attention. “There’s an ambulance here to take your sister to the hospital and have her checked out. You go with them. I’ll bring Colt.”
Maren cupped Colt’s face and dropped another kiss on his lips. “I’ll see you there. We need to talk.”
He held on to her for a moment. “Yes, we do.”
* * *
At the hospital, Maren stayed by her sister’s side as she was rushed into an exam room. Haven drew stares from the staff and patients. The nails of her paws clicked on the linoleum floor.
A nurse hooked Opal up to oxygen, fitted her with a heart monitor as well as a monitor over the baby bump.
“The fetus’s heartbeat sounds strong,” the nurse said.
Maren sent up a grateful prayer to know her baby niece or nephew would be okay.
The nurse started an IV drip. “You’re what, five months along?”
“Yes, that sounds about right,” Opal replied. “But I’m barely showing. Is that normal?”
Wanting to know the answer as well, Maren held her breath. She had no idea what pregnancy should be like. She sent up a quick prayer that all would be well for Opal and the baby.
“Sometimes. We all carry our babies differently. The doctor will be in shortly to give you an exam and can better assess how you both are.” The nurse patted Opal’s hand. “Don’t worry, Mama. I’ve been at this a long time. You and baby are good.”
“Thank you, I needed to hear that,” Opal replied.
So did Maren. She silently thanked God. As soon as the nurse left and they were alone, Opal said, “You and the DEA agent?”
