Page 16 of Lion’s Den

Cam held out his hand. “May I help you off the table?”

“Of course. Thank you, Cam.”

When Sedona was steady on her feet, he released her and stepped back. Cam glanced down at her sock-clad feet. “Where are your shoes?”

She frowned. “I don’t know. I have flashes of running through the forest with my shoes on. Do you think the EMTs took them?”

Concern knotted his gut. Why did she remember having her shoes in the forest but not remember who took her shoes? “I don’t think so, but I’ll bet someone at the nurses’ station knows where they are.” He gripped Sedona’s upper arm and guided her to the corridor and to the nurses’ desk.

A nurse with blond hair looked up and smiled. “May I help you?”

“I brought my friend in here about two hours ago. Somewhere through the process, someone took her shoes. Do you have any idea where we might find them?”

“Sure.” She stood and came around the desk. “Come with me.” The nurse, Mandy, led them down the corridor and turned left, leading them to another wing of the ER. “This is the clothes morgue. Since you’re wearing street clothes, you must not have been hurt too badly.”

After unlocking the door, Mandy glanced over his shoulder at Sedona. “What’s your name, hon?”

“Sedona Hart.”

Mandy scanned the numbers on the lockers until she came to a particular locker and tapped it with her finger. “Here you go.” She shoved a key into the lock and twisted it.

After a moment, Sedona’s eyes widened. “There they are!”

Cam reached into the locker and retrieved Sedona’s shoes. When he handed them to her, Sedona clutched her shoes with an expression of relief.

He also caught the moment her nausea reasserted itself. Distress filled Sedona’s expression as she glanced around the area. “Thanks for the help, Mandy.”

“Sure.” Then Mandy’s gaze swung to Cam. “Hey, listen, I don’t normally do this, but I want to give you my cell number. I’d love for you to call me sometime.”

Cam smiled. “That’s sweet of you to offer, but I’m involved with someone, and she doesn’t share.” At least he hoped she didn’t. He certainly didn’t share.

Cam glanced down at Sedona, who stared back at him with a blank expression on her face. Was that a good sign? Hopefully, the big hint was obvious.

Mandy shrugged and gave him a rueful smile. “Can’t blame a girl for trying. If you ever dump your girl, come look me up.”

“Won’t happen, but thanks.” Cam steered Sedona to a nearby waiting room and seated her. After placing her foot against his thigh, he slid the shoes onto her dainty feet and tied the laces. “Okay?”

Sedona nodded. “Thank you.”

Still no expression on her face. Cam wanted to smile but held back. He waited until they were in his SUV. After plucking her from the asphalt and seating her in the shotgun seat, Cam fastened her seatbelt, then tipped her face toward his. “Aren’t you going to ask?”

She blinked. “About what?”

“Who I’m involved with.”

Her cheeks turned pink. “It’s none of my business who you’re involved with.” She kept her expression carefully neutral, even as her emotions threatened to spill over. Of course Cam had someone. Believing otherwise was wishful thinking.”

“Sedona, look at me.”

Her eyes flicked up to his. “You don’t have to explain.”

“Yeah, babe, I do.”

Sedona’s eyes widened at his endearment.

“I’m off the market, Sedona, because the only woman I’m interested in is you.”

She stared. “What? That can’t be right.”