After the Storm(92)

            She nodded, eager to focus on anything but what consumed her thoughts. She wanted to see Cammie and Travis again, to reassure herself that they were here. Safe. Taken care of. Getting the food and medicine they both so desperately needed.

            Donovan stood, reaching his hand down to help Eve to her feet.

            “What about you?” he asked pointedly. “Are you still hurting?

            She flushed, wanting to deny it, but her expression had already given it away.

            He frowned at her but said nothing as he steered her toward the kitchen. When they got there, he warmed two plates of lasagna and then prepared two glasses of tea. Just when she thought that perhaps he was going to ignore her silent admission, he turned with the tray in hand.

            “After Cammie and Travis have eaten, I’m going to give you another dose of pain medication and you’re going to sleep. I wonder when the last time was you got a full night’s rest?”

            She dropped her gaze guiltily.

            “That’s what I thought,” he said grimly. “Come on. We’ll check in on Travis and get him situated and then I’ll take you to Cammie’s room so you can help her eat.”

            Though his hands were full, he walked beside her, lending her his strength, though he didn’t touch her. He didn’t have to. Just being there was enough. He matched his pace to her much smaller one, and she glanced down, realizing she was still clad in only her underwear and his shirt.

            When they reached Travis’s room, she opened the door, eager to see how he was doing. If he was still hurting. And offer him reassurance that they were safe. She’d broadcasted her doubts to him. He’d picked up on her unease when they’d entered this place. Now she wanted to reassure him that she’d chosen wisely. She was sure of it.

            Travis was still sleeping and she hated to wake him, but she knew he needed to eat and he likely needed more pain medication. His brow was creased even in sleep, his expression tense as though he were indeed in pain. She touched his forehead, running her hand gently across his brow.

            He stirred beneath her touch and opened his eyes. They were cloudy with sleep and remnants of fatigue and pain.

            “Hey,” she whispered. “How are you feeling?”

            “I’m okay,” he said quickly. But when he tried to shift and sit up, he grimaced and quickly settled back against the pillows.

            “Don’t try to move,” Donovan cautioned. “Just take it slow and easy. I’ve brought you something to eat. Eve and I will help you maneuver so you can eat. Then I’ll give you another dose of pain medication so you can rest.”

            Travis glanced between Eve and Donovan and then realized she was only in a shirt. His eyes widened and Eve flushed. Donovan ignored the interchange and set the tray holding the plates down on the nightstand. Then he bent over Travis while Eve got on the other side and they helped ease him upward, Travis grimacing as they propped pillows behind him to support him.

            “Hungry?” Donovan asked.

            “Starving,” Travis admitted. “It smells good, whatever it is.”

            Eve smiled. “Then eat. I’m going to go check on Cammie and try to get her to eat too.”

            “Is she all right?” Travis asked quickly, his eyes going dark with concern.

            “She’s fine,” Eve assured him. “She’s been sleeping. Like you. She’s getting the medicine she needs. In a day or two she’ll be better.”

            “And you, Evie?” Travis asked, lifting his gaze to hers. “Have you slept at all? Are you still hurting?”