Page 86 of Mountain Target

And it was over the girl’s back that he saw Alex’s face break into a huge smile.

“She’s breathing. She’s breathing,” he said, quickly covering her up with an emergency blanket.

Those were the words that made Beau shatter.

He only just managed to let go of Ren before slamming down onto the floor, and suddenly he was the one sobbing, and Ren was the one comforting him.

It took him a minute to get himself back under control. Then the two of them hobbled together towards Valentina, whose head moved weakly to look at them. She caught sight of Ren and gave a small smile.

“Ren, you’re okay …”

“Aunt Val!”

“We need to get them to the hospital,” Beau said. He didn’t like the pale porcelain sheen on either of their faces.

Alex nodded. “We’re on it. Lorenz and Hugo are loading up several wounded onto the helicopter and will come straight here.”

Beau was almost afraid to ask. “What’s the status?” he asked in a low voice.

“No casualties so far. It’s almost unbelievable,” Alex whispered, mindful as well of their audience.

“I can wait,” Valentina whispered faintly. “I know … I know I can wait.”

“No,” said Beau. “Absolutely not. You need to get on that helicopter and get to the hospital to be checked out.”

“But I …”

He brought his mouth close to her ear. “Please, Valentina. Ren needs you. And I … I won’t be able to focus on anything else until I know you’re safe. Already I’m … I’m a fucking mess,” he admitted.

“You saved Ren,” she said, “and you came back for me.”

“I told you I would.” He looked at Alex. “Even if I had a bit of help.”

Her hand touched his, giving and sharing comfort.

“You’re cold,” she said, struggling to sit up.

He was.

Fucking freezing.

And the wind blowing in from the east wasn’t helping things.

“Lie down, Valentina,” he said. “Promise you’ll wait for me in town. You and I … we need to talk.”

It was Ren who answered, through chattering teeth. “She’ll wait for you at the hospital, even if Marie and I have to tie her down.”

Beau laughed. “I trust you to keep an eye on her, Ren.”

27

Valentina

"Idon’t need to be here,” Val said, working hard to keep the impatience out of her voice. “I’m a doctor. Don’t you think I’d know if something was wrong?”

“Doctors make the worst patients sometimes, Val. You know that,” Marie said, managing to smile sweetly and, at the same time, portray an air of absolute indifference to Val’s concerns.

Val huffed. “I don’t think I should be taking up an ER box, is all.”