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Paramedics rushed in carrying a stretcher. She held Maddie with her good arm. Her little girl burrowed into her chest. “Ma’am, we need to take her so we can treat you.”
But she wasn’t letting her baby girl go, not after the last few hours. She shook her head. She would rather die than let her go.
They lifted her onto the stretcher with Maddie still held tight in her good arm. “We need to stop the blood and get you fluids, honey. We can’t do that with a toddler in the way.”
Before she could argue with them, Asher yelled, “Get Jasper Campbell in here.”
Jasper? He was here? He came for her? In disbelief, she held Maddie while the paramedics stanched the blood flow on her injured arm. And then Jasper entered the cabin. His gaze found her, and he strode through the crowd to her side.
The moment she saw him, she burst into tears. He really had come for her. No one had ever done that before. She couldn’t even comprehend the feelings rioting inside her other than relief. Because he’d keep Maddie safe. If there was nothing else she believed, it was that he would care for her.
And then he was there, standing at her side. His gaze drifted over her like he was cataloging every bruise and injury. “Oh, lass, I’m so sorry I wasn’t there.”
“Take Maddie for me. And if something happens and I don’t make it, please take care of her—for me.”
Jasper stared with such naked emotion, telling her without words that he understood she was entrusting him with her daughter’s life. And he nodded. “I swear it.”
“Go with Jasper, baby.” Her bottom lip trembled, because she didn’t want to let her go. She didn’t want this to be the last time she held her daughter. But she felt her consciousness wavering. She didn’t know how much longer she could hold on before she passed out.
“Ja’per.” Maddie cried, holding her little arms up to him. And she knew it was the right choice, that he would care for her. He picked her up without question and pressed a kiss against her forehead, staring down at her.
The moment she knew Maddie was safe, the tiny thread of consciousness she’d clung to slipped through her fingers.
And then it was lights out.
27
Och, his sweet lass!
Freya had lost consciousness. Jasper committed every bruise, each cut, every scrape, and gunshot wound to memory. The fucker had shot her. He held a whimpering Maddie, trying to soothe his little lassie. And helplessly watched the medics patch Freya up and prepare to transport her to the hospital.
“If you want to leave with her, go, and I will catch up,” Asher stated, overseeing the brunt of the investigation.
“Thanks. We’re going to need a change of clothes for this little one.” He nodded at Maddie.
“Get her out of here. The poor thing has seen enough. They likely will have something you can change her into at the hospital. If not, call Gabe. He and Sophia will get what you need. And just so you know, I’ve already had my boss contact the judge in Georgia. He’s working to get the warrants against Freya lifted and the charges dismissed. I’ll have more on that front soon.”
“Thanks, Asher, I owe you.” Jasper shook his hand.
“Mama.” Maddie sniffled as the paramedics rolled the gurney out the door.
He pressed a kiss against her forehead. “I know, my sweet lassie. She’s going to be all right.”
“You should know that she jumped in front of her when he tried to shoot Maddie. That’s what the officers who were through the door first reported. That she jumped in front of a bullet meant for this one. In my book, any woman who would literally jump in front of a bullet to save someone she loved is someone I would find it in me to forgive.”
“Noted.” He’d forgiven her the moment he watched the first video on her phone. His fierce, fierce lass filled him with such pride. He carried Maddie out of the cabin and into the light of the setting sun. They hitched a ride in the back of the ambulance. Since she was in stable condition, they transported Freya to a hospital in Denver at his request.
And then he called Gabe’s wife, Sophia, and asked if she could pick up supplies for Maddie and meet them at the hospital. From here on out, they both were his responsibility. And he didn’t take it lightly.
And he would never doubt her again. She was his equal, and the woman meant for him. He would do whatever it took to earn her forgiveness for letting her down. And he vowed to shower her with love—both of his girls.
When they reached the hospital, they wheeled Freya into the emergency room, where they couldn’t follow. So he and Maddie headed into the waiting room. He sat with Maddie, holding her close, running a soothing hand over her back. The poor thing had been traumatized. She hiccupped and cried that she wanted her mum. Sophia and Gabe arrived not ten minutes after they did.
Sophia took one look at Maddie’s stricken face and held out her arms. “Oh, you poor little thing. Why don’t we get you a new diaper and a change of clothes? You’ll feel so much better. And I even have a snack for you. When we get back, I’ve got some milk and animal crackers. Okay?”
Maddie looked at him first solemnly, asking him if it was all right. “It’s okay, my sweet little lassie. Sophia’s nice and will bring you right back. And then you get to stay with me tonight.”
“Mama.” She said it like a question, asking him where her mum was. She was breaking his fucking heart.
