Page 19 of The Deadly Shallows

“He said NSAIDs are best, so I grabbed her a handful of over-the-counter options from the hospital pharmacy.” Caleb held up a bag.

By the bulging bottom, she saw Caleb wasn’t joking about a handful. It looked as if he’d bought every painkiller on the shelves.

“I hope you’re able to sleep well,” Brooke said.

“Thanks.” Austin offered a soft smile.

Unfortunately, she wouldn’t be able to. Even if she could manage to fall asleep, she’d no doubt be stuck in night terrors.

Just thinking about it made the sound of casings dinging off the pile around the shooter’s feet twang in her ears.

Caleb’s eyes narrowed. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” Brooke shook off her thoughts. “I’m good. Just tired.”

“I can imagine,” Caleb said. “We just left Noah’s room. Hopefully, he’ll get some rest.”

“That’ll be the day,” Brooke said.

“We should let her head up,” Austin said to Caleb.

“Of course.” He nodded. “If you need anything, just call.”

“Ditto,” Austin said, pulling her into a one-arm hug.

Brooke clutched Austin’s hand as she stepped back, giving it a gentle squeeze. “You be easy on that shoulder. I know it’s back in place, but your arm is probably going to bruise, if it hasn’t already.”

Caleb rocked back on his heels. “There’s a better chance of pigs sprouting wings than Austin taking it easy.”

Austin perked her brows.

Brooke shook her head. They really were a stubborn lot.

Caleb pressed the Up button, as Brooke had let the elevator go rather than holding it while they talked.

The circle above the elevator doors dinged brightly, and the doors slid open.

Caleb held the door as she stepped in. “Room 304.”

“We’re praying,” Austin said as the doors slid shut.

The elevator bounced to a stop on level three. Stepping into the corridor, she headed for unit 34 and found Noah’s room, the second door on the left. “Knock, knock,” she said.

“Come in,” he called.

She took a settling inhale. It was good to hear his voice. She wanted nothing more than to curl up beside him, rest her head on his shoulder, and bawl, but she wouldn’t. Noah had kept things friendly but at arm’s length, especially over the last few weeks.

She rounded the corner, vowing to be strong.

“Brooke,” Dr. Blotny said. “You finally done for the night?”

Brooke nodded, her eyes weary, her body riddled with tension.

She looked at Noah, and her heart thumped in her chest, as it always did in his presence. She couldn’t help imagining what it would be like if he actually loved her back. Meeting his gaze, she paused at the deep intensity there, far deeper and different than she’d ever seen before.

She shifted her attention to Blotny, though Noah’s gaze held on her as she peeked out of the corner of her eye. Warm and, dare she say it, loving concern radiated there.

“How’s our patient?” she asked as Blotny scanned the chart in her hands.