Josh held Emma’s wrist, took her pulse, but couldn’t focus. What kind of doctor would he be? He let all his patients get worse. But she didn’t seem sicker. This was exhaustion.
“How is she?” Dad placed a hand on Josh’s back. He was exhausted, too. “Did her eyes just flutter?”
She groaned and tried to sit. “Josh?”
He glanced at his dad then leaned down to her. “You scared me.” He helped her to sit, her shoulder blades rigid against his hand. “You need some R, or you’ll relapse.”
“R, right.” She opened her eyes. “Where’s Bill?”
He held her hand. “Larson has him. He’s still under the net with Dean and Mo.”
She closed her eyes and let him caress her hand. He’d only known her four days, but it seemed like she’d always been part of his life. A warmth grew in his middle and spread to his chest.
“Larson said he’d give us a ride to the hospital. It’s crawling with people, so your family is probably there.”
Josh scanned her face. Was she blushing? He squeezed her hand, glanced at Larson, who never took the gun off the men. Dad held one end of the net, keeping it taut.
She gave a slight smile, the bruises under her eyes still dark. Dad walked over, placed a hand on Josh’s shoulder, a frown creasing his forehead. His concern filled Josh with a different kind of warmth.
“So, this is Emma.” Dr. Woolf held out a hand, and she shook it.
“Pleasure to meet you, Dr. Woolf. I’m a huge fan.” Her face turned scarlet, but her gaze didn’t waver.
Josh grinned at his dad. “She’s full of herself, Dad, so watch out.”
What was he thinking, letting her trailblaze four miles? Anyone with eyes could see she wasn’t strong enough. He glared at Bill. This was his fault, her dehydration and exhaustion. Bill.
He glanced down and met her steady gaze. What did she see? He squeezed her hand. She seemed to be sizing him up, but her smile softened her scrutiny.
“Hey, Ed.”
Dad rose and left them.
Throwing the net had been the easy part. Her pinched face and cool, thin hands were torture. She needed to get to the hospital. He clenched his teeth.
“Help me up.” Emma grunted with the effort to sit, then to her feet. She leaned on him, light as a bird, and the connection seemed so natural to him.
Larson and his dad had the men handcuffed.
“Settle down.” Dr. Woolf grabbed the cuffs holding Bill.
Bill tried to shake him off but fell. Dean and Mo landed on top of him. “Tarnation.”
“Pfft. Not so tough now,” Emma whispered.
Larson stood over Bill. “What is wrong with you? You’re caught. Never underestimate my deputies.” He winked at Emma.
“Deputies?” Emma’s jaw dropped, and she tilted her head, her brows furrowed.
Josh shrugged and grinned.
Dad’s laughter rolled from him like music. It filled Josh with a calm he had missed, even more than his violin, even more than Grandpa. Maybe grief wasn’t forever.
“We better get this circus on the road.” Larson gave the net a tug, and Bill grunted.