Chapter 23

23

EMMA

Earlier that day

"You feeling okay there, Em?" Holly's use of my nickname makes me smile as I park outside the clinic after leaving Charlie at the bakery. I nod as we slip out of her car.

"Just tired. Sleeping at the Lodge has been...different. The feeling of being a guest every time I go to the kitchen or walk the hall is weird. It's not restful. Add to that the stress of Cole and all that entails, being unable to go anywhere alone…" I push open the clinic door. "Then Hunter's been overbearing. He's smothering me. I love him and love that he wants to take care of me, but this has all been a lot."

"I understand. But Emma, the guys just want us safe. He means well, and he's new at this, too." Her compassion and patience remind me that Hunter is human and has worries.

"I know. I'm just not used to being taken care of." I flop down in my chair. "At least not like this."

Holly laughs. "Well, get used to it. You're pack now, which means overbearing men are a part of your lifestyle." Holly looks to the ceiling, the humor bleeding away with her next words, "What if I told you I've never even dated? My dad and brothers scared away any guy that tried. The town's so small everyone knew me and my family. Then there was Will . If I did manage to sneak out, he'd show up, wrap his arm around me, and escort me home."

"No…"

Her white blonde hair bobs in her face as she pulls a big chunk in front of her, running her fingers through it. "Yeah, he'd never talk about it. He'd just show up like a silent stalker. He also kept those moments from my brothers, which surprised me. I'm living vicariously through you and my brother since it seems I'll never find a love like what you have."

"Shut up. I'm sure someone will come to town and snatch you up." There's sympathy in my voice. I hope that Holly finds her fated mate. I think everyone deserves that perfect love. I say, "I’m going to go check on Amy. You gonna be here?"

She nods. "I think I'll hang around for a while."

Leaving her to it, I head to the break room and change into my scrubs and coat. It feels good to be working. There is peace when I'm in my clinic, doing inventory, getting lost in daily check-ups.

I've had three new pregnant moms come in, and the excitement around those visits are fun. The pack has never had formal medical care, so I've started a journaling system to try and record healing rates. The pregnant mothers are letting me study the gestation periods.

Holly knocks on the door, "Hey lady, Hunter was trying to call your cell, and he, well, he was freaking out slightly." She winces as I purse my lips to the side.

"Okay."

She hands me her phone, "Hello? Hunter?" I'm trying to rein in my annoyance. I know he means the absolute best, but I was ready to keep working.

"Hey, sweet girl, I was missing you. I got worried when you didn't answer your phone."

"Oh, right, yeah. I've been busy. Remember I told you about our new system? I was working on logging some stuff and catching up on notes. I left my phone…" I can't remember where my phone is, so I scooch my chair back and open the bottom drawer, searching through my purse. "Oh, I found it at the bottom of my bag. I'll have it out now. How are things going over there?"

He lets a frustrated sigh slip out and says, "Good! We might have found something, but it's not concrete. It could just be some hikers."

My heart rate ticks up at the thought that maybe they got a lead or found Cole, and this can all be over.

"Hey, I gotta go. Will's calling me, but I'll be by to pick you up. See you soon, sweet girl. Love you."

"Love you too, Hunter." I mean the words as I say them. Hunter’s has been everything I needed: supportive, protective, calming… I wouldn't be where I am without his faith in me. As much of a pain it's been the last few days, a warm feeling of gratitude settles over me for all Hunter's done in my life.

The rest of the afternoon and early evening go by in a blur. Holly and Killian returned to the Lodge for dinner, and Trevor and I cleaned the exam rooms. Then, I filled Amy in on the new system we set up for logging patients' information and history.

I recheck my phone. I thought Hunter would be here by now. It's close to seven.

Trevor's large body fills the office door, worry evident on his face "Hey, Boss, we just got a call about an accident near the interstate. They were asking for a medical professional to assist at the scene. Some hikers went off the road."

"Oh god, okay." I run to the back and grab the med kit. "Alright, let's go. I'll call Hunter from the car."

As we slide into Trevor's big Dodge Ram, I pull my phone out and find it dead.

“Shit. I forgot to charge it last night.” I turn in my seat as Trevor leaves the town's main road towards the interstate.

His hand reaches into his pocket, and both our eyes watch as he pulls it out. “Here. Take mine and call him.” Suddenly, there's a crunching of metal, and blackness overtakes me.