6. Hunter

Ilead Kaci back to the hospital room, and she tries to explain the feeling she just had. The memory that's at the corner of her mind.

She can't remember why, but she hates hospitals and she needs to get out of here, and I'm happy to oblige. The wound isn't serious, and I'd rather have her at my cabin where I can take care of her. She doesn't protest the idea. I guess she's got nowhere else to go.

I find the doctor, and he's happy to discharge her. The head injury isn't deep, and there's nothing they can do for the amnesia.

"Your memory should start to come back in the next day or two. A week at the most," he says.

The nurse gives us an informational brochure with exercises to do that can help jog her memory.

I'm checking off some paperwork at the nursing station when Landon, the Assistant Fire Chief and station ball buster, comes striding down the corridor wearing an expression as dark as a cloud of smoke.

"Tell me the gossip isn't true."

I might have known my absence would be noted. It's the first leave I've requested in months. Joel must have told Landon I was hanging out here with Kaci. That fire station's worse than a sewing circle when it comes to gossip.

"Didn't think you were one for getting in other people's business, Landon."

He thumps his fist down on the nurses' station, making the woman behind the counter flinch.

"I am when it concerns a vulnerable young woman."

Landon has a daughter who must be around the same age as Kaci. It seems his overprotectiveness isn't just reserved for family.

I steer him away from the nurses' station, otherwise it won't just be the fire station that's gossiping.

"I'm not sure what you think I'm doing, but it's because she's vulnerable that she needs me. That woman has been through hell. She woke up not knowing who she is or why she's here. No one's looking for her. I'm the only stable thing she has right now."

He clenches his jaw, the protective father looking out for a vulnerable woman.

"Come on, man," I say. "You know me better than that."

He stares at me long and hard and finally relaxes.

"I do know you, Hunter, which is why I know trailing after a woman like a lost puppy is not like you."

He's not wrong. I've never felt like this about any woman I've dated. I've never felt like I want to be in her presence at every moment. I feel responsible for Kaci, and I'd do anything to protect her.

"She's vulnerable is all I'm saying, Hunter." He sighs and runs his hand over his face. "You may be the only thing that she knows right now, and she might think she's developing feelings for you. But what happens when her memory comes back?"

When her memory comes back, my name will mean something to her and she won't want anything to do with me.

"I'm not out to take advantage of her. I just want to help."

He looks at me long and hard. "As long as that's all you do. I keep thinking what if it was Izzie out there with no memory and lost on the side of the mountain…"

He shudders, thinking about his daughter.

"She's somebody's daughter, Hunter. It might take a few days, but she'll remember and someone will come to claim her. Make sure you can look them in the eye when they do."

He fixes me with his steely ones, and I get his meaning.

"I won't do anything to disrespect the woman." I put my hand on his shoulder. "I just don't want her to be alone. She trusts me, and right now I'm the only thing she's got."

He nods, relenting. "I'll send Izzie around. A girl her age might draw something out of her, make her remember."

It's telling that he speaks about his nineteen-year-old daughter as a girl still. As if he hasn't noticed the way her figure's filled out and the way certain men at the station try not to look at her womanly assets whenever she drops by.

"That's a good idea."

The longer Kaci doesn't remember, the longer I can spend with her. But that's selfish, and even though she'll hate me when she remembers, I need to do what I can to help her get those memories back.

"I'm taking her back to my cabin to get her comfortable. See if Izzie can come by tomorrow."

Landon nods curtly.

"Keep your dick in your pants, Hunter, and keep it professional. At least till she remembers and she can make a proper decision about you."

I nod my understanding. Kaci is out of bounds until she remembers who she is. But when she remembers who she is, she won't want anything to do with me. It's an impossible situation.

Unless I can make her fall in love with me before her memory comes back. If she falls for me before she remembers I'm Sergeant Adams, maybe, just maybe, I've got a chance.