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The little relief I felt was replaced with worry.
“You scared me,” I said when she’d settled.
“Just had to make sure you’d realize how much you love me.” She grinned, but it was covered by her oxygen mask.
A nurse entered, followed by Beau.
“You’re both awake.” Beau beamed and glided over to Miss Adeline.
“Don’t mention that,” I muttered before she could go into another spiel about how she’d been up this whole time.
The nurse took both of our vitals, asked us a few questions, and promised a doctor would be by shortly.
“When can we get out of this place?” Miss Adeline asked.
For a second, I thought she was going to rip wires from her arms.
“What’s your hurry? My guess is we don’t have anywhere to go.” My tone was light, but the pain in my chest was real.
“I’m so sorry, Pepper,” Beau whispered. “You can stay at Lincoln’s. I’m pretty sure Teague’s loft is gone too. Or maybe I’ll buy an apartment and you can move in with me.” Beau flopped down in the chair she’d positioned between the beds.
“You’re staying in New York?” I asked incredulously. I’d always had the impression she’d rather walk barefoot over hot coals than that.
She shrugged noncommittally. “It’s just an idea.”
“Good thing we had a plan B.” Miss Adeline’s tone didn’t have quite the spark it usually did. She must be heartbroken to lose the place she’d built with her husband.
Plan B. Reminded me of B-words.
Sadie.
I couldn’t remember where I’d seen her last. I’d give anything to hear her boss us around. What if—if the worst had happened? Would Beau tell me or wait?
“Sadie,” I said hoarsely.
“She’s with Dr. Lyons.”
I jerked my head toward the door. Teague filled it, still in the pants and suspenders of his fire suit. He was filthy. His hair was all over the place. He looked like a mix between having no sleep and IV-ing energy drinks.
He touched Miss Adeline’s foot as he passed but made a beeline for me. When he reached the side of the bed, he gripped the rail.
“I love you.”
My eyes stung again, this time with more tears. Those words meant so much, especially now.
“I-I didn’t tell you that when I found you in the fire.” He sounded anguished.
I summoned all my strength and reached for his hand. “I probably wouldn’t have heard you anyway.”
“Not funny.” He exhaled deeply and bent to kiss my forehead. “You okay?” He looked at Miss Adeline too.
“Just waiting on this supposed hot doctor to get me out of here,” she said.
“She’s fine,” I said with a smile. “How are the dogs?”
He hesitated. “Sadie, I don’t know how she breathed in so much smoke and still managed to find me. She led me to the four of you.”
I nearly choked on the knot in my throat. That girl seemed like we annoyed her most of the time. Like we were there to serve her. But she loved hard.
