Page 70 of One Night Years Ago

Hunter nodded and jumped out awkwardly on one foot.

Five minutes later, the nurse had procured him said crutch and sent him on his way. He started to make his way awkwardly down the hallway before noticing Natalie had stopped.

“Nurse Ward?” Natalie enquired. “I think one of my officers, Susan Lopes, has been here once or twice, looking for some test results. Do you know if she’s been able to speak to the right person?”

The nurse nodded, a pinched expression on her face that told them Susan had been there more than once or twice.

“I already told your officer, Sheriff, that we don’t have a lab here. Any samples for analysis, we send straight to the city hospital. The results are then shared back online so there’s no paper exchange to speak of.”

“I see. And would that have been the same thirteen years ago?”

“That I can’t help you with. I wasn’t here then.”

“I’ll speak to Susan. Thanks, anyway, for your help.” She turned around, her jaw clenched.

“Are you okay?” Hunter asked.

“Just frustrated. And tired. And glad that tonight wasn’t much worse, and that you and Emma are going to be okay.”

“Thanks for dropping me off.”

“I’m not dropping you off. You can’t climb the barn ladder in your condition. I’m taking you home with me.”

He could sleep in his mother’s house, but didn’t say so, because he wanted to spend the night with Natalie more than anything. He tried to convince himself it was only to reassure himself that she was alright.

“If we keep doing this, everybody’s going to know we’re together.”

“Is that a problem for you, Hunter?” she asked.

He laughed drily. “Not for me, Sheriff, not for me.”

“Good. I’m not going to hide, and I won’t let you hide, either, Hunter.”

When they got to her house, a large dark pickup truck was already in the driveway.

“Shit,” she said softly.

“Anything I should worry about?”

“Not really,” she said, sounding tired. “Just my dad.”

Great. One of my biggest admirers.

The former sheriff was waiting on the porch.

“Dad, how long have you been waiting out here? You have a key. Why didn’t you let yourself in?”

“Natalie!” The crease in the older man’s forehead straightened out as he saw his daughter. “Thank God you’re okay.”

“I’m okay, Dad, just tired.”

The crease returned in full force as he saw Hunter hobbling behind her.

“What is he doing here?”

“Hunter’s spending the night with me, Dad,” Natalie said, her blue gaze colliding with that of her father’s.

The old man looked like he was about to say something but then thought better of it. “I heard he saved Emma’s life today. But that’s not a reason to open your door—”