After the Storm(65)
“Did a bad man hurt you?”
Swanny smiled, warmth entering his eyes. “Yes, sweetheart. But you know what? Donovan and KGI took care of it. Those bad men won’t ever hurt anyone again.”
“My daddy hurt Evie,” Cammie said quietly. “Can you make it so he never hurts her again?”
“Cammie!” Eve chastened, shocked at the child’s outburst.
But no one in the room missed her comment. Donovan’s expression grew fierce, and anger surged in Joe’s and Steele’s eyes. Even Swanny was scowling now, but as if realizing he would scare Cammie, he worked at controlling his reaction.
“No one will hurt Eve. Or you and Travis,” Swanny softly amended. “You have my guarantee, little bit.”
“’Kay,” Cammie said, leaning in a little closer to Swanny’s chest. Swanny seemed delighted that the little girl was warming to him and he wrapped his big arms around her, anchoring her more firmly to his chest. It was a silent message to her—and to Eve and Travis—that he was entirely serious in his commitment to see them safe.
“You need to start with Travis,” Donovan said. “You’ll need the X-ray equipment in the infirmary. I’m concerned he has broken ribs. We can ride over. I don’t want any of them walking after what they’ve been through. I don’t want to risk injuring them further.”
Maren nodded her agreement. “What else am I dealing with here? Do you know? Have you made an assessment?”
Eve appreciated Maren’s brisk, no-nonsense, all-business approach. She was clearly in doctor mode. Intelligence gleamed in her blue eyes, but what Eve liked the most was her gentle manner. She hadn’t come in making demands or barking orders.
“No,” Donovan said. “We haven’t had time. My priority was getting them here so they could be evaluated. Travis and Cammie were in a culvert when we found them. Eve got caught in the storm trying to save Travis and we found her trapped underneath a mattress.”
“The mattress probably saved her life,” Maren murmured.
Eve felt the blood drain from her face. She hadn’t considered it. She’d been too swept up in the terror of the moment and had been relieved to survive such a deadly storm. But Maren was right. If the mattress hadn’t knocked her flat and kept her trapped underneath, she probably would have been killed.
“Well, let’s get to it then,” Maren declared. “I’ll examine Travis and take X-rays and then go from there.”
Donovan made no move to reclaim Cammie from Swanny’s arms. Cammie looked as though she’d protest until Donovan put his hand to her cheek.
“I need you to let Swanny carry you, honey. I need to help your sister. Is that okay?”
Eve would have spoken up but as if sensing she’d do just that, Donovan silenced her with a look.
“’Kay,” Cammie said, sliding her thumb back into her mouth.
“I’ll take good care of you,” Swanny said in a grave tone.
Cammie cracked a half smile and settled back against Swanny’s chest. Tears stung Eve’s eyes. They were all so . . . nice. So very gentle and understanding with all of them. People just didn’t do what these people were doing. Going out of their way for complete strangers. Taking such a personal stake in their well-being. It flabbergasted Eve and rendered her unable to comprehend their generosity and kindness.
“Steele, can you help Joe with Travis?” Donovan asked as he bent over the couch where Eve sat. “He’s in a lot of pain and it would help if he doesn’t further aggravate his injuries.”