Page 40
Chapter 9
Eden hadn’t seen Blazefor hours. He was avoiding her, and that hurt more than it should. She should forget about him. She didn’t need him. She didn’t need any guy. But her traitorous heart suggested otherwise.
It thump-thumped unhappily. It wanted Blaze.
She headed out of her quarters in the staff base close to the main sanctuary and over to the medical treatment rooms, where Ranger, Wilder, and Gunner had been taken when they’d arrived.
She spotted one of the medical team who’d helped get the guys off the ships. “Hey, how’s everything going with your three new arrivals?”
The woman turned. “Who are you here to see?”
“I’m checking on the injured military escort. Some of their injuries looked bad.”
She hesitated. “Are you family?”
“No, but we work together. They got attacked when we were transporting the animals here.”
The doctor pursed her lips then nodded and kept walking. “Their injuries are serious.”
Eden’s heart raced as she hurried along beside her. “They’re Apexians. They can heal from just about anything.”
“And their regenerative abilities will be critical over the next seventy-two hours. They came under heavy attack.”
“They’re okay, though? I mean, bashed up, but they’ll walk away from this, right?”
She shook her head. “Gunner has lost consciousness. Wilder and Ranger will need long recovery times. We’re doing everything we can to help them. Once they’re stable, they’re in for a long period of rehabilitation.”
“Where will they be sent for that?”
“They’ll stay here. We’re almost finished extending our rehab facilities, so their timing couldn’t be better. Animals and aliens are welcome if they need treatment.” She smiled. “We also find that including animals in a person’s recovery often speeds things up. They help to heal each other.”
“Hey, is there someone out there? I need to get out of this damn bed and back to my ship.”
The doctor shook her head. “As you can hear, Ranger is awake and not happy with his current situation.”
“Can I see him?”
“Let me check on him. He may not want visitors. He’s not being a good patient. Wait here.” The doctor walked away and into a room along the corridor.
Eden paced outside the door. Apexians always bounced back. That’s what they were known for. They couldn’t lose any of their team.
The doctor appeared in the doorway and beckoned her over. “He wants to see you. Not for long, though. He’s under heavy pain relief and needs plenty of rest.”
“Sure. Thanks. I won’t tire him out.” Eden walked into the room.
The doctor left and pulled the door closed behind her.
Eden swallowed, and her stomach clenched. Ranger had a deep cut on his forehead, one arm bandaged from the wrist to the shoulder, and one leg wrapped in plaster.
He grunted. “I never thought I’d get that reaction when you saw me in bed. Get over here and help me figure out how to make this work.”
“Make what work?”
“Getting out of here. I’m not staying.”
Eden shook her head. “You’re not getting out of that bed.”
His grin was lopsided and a little slow. “I won’t want to get out if you hop in with me.”
