4. Hunter

Kaci doesn't know who I am. That's obvious, because if she did she wouldn't be clinging onto me and asking me to stay.

Maybe Ben never spoke about his squad. Maybe he never showed her any of the photos he took on tour. Maybe the name Sergeant Adams doesn't mean anything to her.

Except there's a letter at home that says otherwise. A plea from a woman I've never met that I left unanswered in my desk drawer.

A team of nurses transfers Kaci to a stretcher, and a doctor inspects the injuries on the side of her head. Once it's cleaned up, it's clear to see the wound is surface level. Whatever she fell against ripped the top of her ear, which accounts for most of the blood, and tore some skin behind her ear.

It'll sting like hell for a few days, but at least the gash didn't penetrate her skull.

Kaci clings on to me through the doctor's inspection of her wound. Because she's had a bump, they want to do an MRI scan to make sure there's no swelling.

A nurse changes her into a hospital gown and hands me her clothes streaked with dirt in a plastic bag. The only time I let her out of my sight is when they're changing her behind the hospital curtain.

My heart swells with a feeling of protectiveness over this woman. I found her on the mountain, half ghost, half angel and all mine for as long as she lets me.

I have no idea what Kaci Peterson is doing here on my mountain, but there will be time to figure that out later. What's more pressing is the fact that she doesn't seem to know either.

The doctor asks her simple questions, but Kaci only screws up her face trying to answer. She doesn't even remember her own name.

I should come clean and tell her who I think she is. But it's so fucking weird that Ben's sister would appear on the side of my mountain that I don't fully believe it myself. I want her to say her own name to confirm it.

But Kaci doesn't seem to remember, and while she doesn't I'll let her hold my hand and cling to me and look up at me like I'm the only one in this place she trusts. Because once she remembers, she won't want to look at me ever again.

I grab a coffee and a sandwich while she's getting her scan and have food waiting for her when she comes out.

The doctor wants to keep her in overnight for observation, so I settle into the chair at the side of her bed while we wait for the results.

One of the nurses pops her head behind the curtain. "Are you family?"

"I'm the only person she's got."

The nurse has kind eyes, and she gives me a small smile. "That's fine, Mr.…?"

"Adams." I glance at Kaci when I say the name, but there's not even a flicker of recognition. "Hunter Adams. And I'm staying."

She doesn't try to argue, which is wise.

"I just need you to sign the visitors register."

She must assume I'm Kaci's man, and that's okay with me. Because there's a stirring in my chest every time I look at the angel in the hospital bed. She looks peaceful as she sleeps, her skin unlined and worry free. I make a silent vow to protect that peace for as long as I can.

I sign the visitors sheet, and when I get back to the room Kaci's sitting up munching on one of the sandwiches. The blood has returned to her cheeks, and the fact that she's got an appetite is reassuring. But the haunted expression in her eyes and the way she keeps clinging onto me like a woman drowning tears at my heart.

The doctor comes back with the test results, and I perch on the side of the bed. I have my suspicious about why she's confused, but I want the doctor to confirm it.

"The scan shows no swelling on the brain."

Kaci visibly deflates with relief.

"However…" She stiffens at the word and I squeeze her hand, letting her know I'm here. "Considering what you've told us, or not told us..." He does a nervous laugh at his own joke, and I give the guy a death stare.

"The bump has caused some damage to the brain structures that form the limbic system."

Kaci turns her confused gaze to me.

"What does that mean?" I growl, needing the guy to get to the point so my girl can stop gripping my hand so tight.

"It means you have amnesia."

Amnesia.

There it is. It explains why she doesn't remember her name, why she's confused about everything, why she doesn't run in fright when she hears my name, and it explains why she's clinging onto me like I'm the only thing certain in her world. It's because I am.

Kaci frowns. "What does that mean?"

"It means you have some memory loss. It's rare for the loss to be permanent. The neuron connections typically mend within a few days or weeks at most for temporary amnesia."

"Amnesia."

She rolls the word around on her tongue, her brow furrowed.

"I know what it means. How come I know what amnesia is, but I can't remember my own name?"

The doctor goes into a convoluted explanation about different parts of the brain and the different places where memories are stored.

Kaci squeezes my hand hard, and then there are tears sprouting from the corner of her eyes.

"We've heard enough for now, Doc." I stand up, letting him know this consultation is over. "She needs to rest."

He pushes the glasses back on his nose and takes a step backwards.

"Of course. We need to keep you in for observation. A nurse will be along soon with an explanation brochure and to administer pain relief. Are you allergic…?"

He stops mid-sentence and chuckles. "No, I guess you wouldn't know if you have any drug allergies. We'll have to look out for signs."

He hangs the clipboard on the end of the bed and leaves. If Kaci wasn't so upset, I'd follow him out and give him a lesson on bedside manner and inappropriate jokes. But my girl needs me.

Kaci's distressed, and I do the only thing that comes naturally. I climb up on the bed and enfold her in my arms, being careful of the bandage wrapped around her head. I hold her in my arms and let her cry until she falls into a fitful sleep.