Page 64 of Mountain Void

“You scared the life out of me,” he replied. “You have to stay awake, Charlie.”

“I’m awake. How is he?”

“The boy’s going to be okay,” Ry said. Charlie sighed in relief.

“That’s thanks to you, Charlie,” somebody else said.

Charlie raised her head. “It was a team effort.”

Lorenz just held her closer.

“The ambulance is taking him and his brother to the hospital.”

“I want Charlie to go, too,” Lorenz said immediately.

“Go where?” She was pretty sure she didn’t need a hospital.

“You wanted to get on that ice, and you got on that ice. But this is non-negotiable, honey. You’re getting checked out.”

“I wouldn’t fight him on this, if I were you,” Ry said.

Charlie sighed, exasperated, then shivered. “Fine. But I’m not going in an ambulance,” she said.

Lorenz opened his mouth, as if to argue, but Ry interceded. “I can drive you both.”

Minutes later, she was in the back of the car, wrapped in blankets, her body still trembling in waves she couldn’t control.

Through the window, she watched Lorenz moving around, speaking to someone. His shirt, soaked, clung to his hard frame, outlining the muscles in his shoulders, his arms. He didn’t seem to notice the cold.

I’ve got you.

Charlie felt a warm tingle. She’d never doubted he’d get her out. No matter what.

19

Charlie

“You’re sure she’s fine?” Lorenz asked, again.

Val rolled her eyes at him and smiled at Charlie. “Lorenz, how many times do I have to tell you?”

“I told him I was fine,” Charlie said. “I told him I didn’t need to come to the hospital. I certainly didn’t mean to drag you away from the party.”

“Beau called me. Don’t worry. It’s actually good that you came.” Val removed the blood pressure cuff from Charlie’s arm, her touch efficient and gentle. “At this time of year, the water is still very cold. Your body’s been through a shock. You may feel fine now, but your body’s still flooded with adrenaline.”

“I’m not—“ Charlie started, then stopped as another shiver ran through her.

Damn.

Val pushed back a strand of red hair away from her face. “Time and rest. That’s what you need,” she declared. “You weren’t fully hypothermic, but close enough that we don’t want to take any chances.”

Lorenz stood on the other side of the bed—out of Val’s way, but still close to Charlie.

Charlie’s gaze drifted beyond the curtain to the corridor outside.

“Is the boy still here?”

Val’s expression softened immediately. “He’s been moved to the pediatric floor.”