She snorted out a laugh.
“Now I know you’re lying.”
He put a hand over his heart and held up three fingers. “Scout’s Honor. A Victoria Secret model could walk in the door, and I’d still be drooling over you.”
“You’re insane.” He might be insane. But he was telling the truth, and there was a glimmer of a smile on her face.
“Now, I gotta go out and see the, sheriff and I’m going to kick the other asshat in the hallway outside your bathroom.”
He stood up and kissed the top of her head. “Will you be all right if I go talk to them?”
She nodded.
“You don’t come out until you’re ready. I’m having them send an ambulance.”
“I don’t need one.”
“Yes. Yes, you do. You need to go to the hospital.”
She grabbed his hand. “No. No, I don’t.”
Suddenly he was hearing the voice of a teacher, well two could play that game.
“If the EMT’s clear you, then you don’t have to go to the hospital. But if they don’t, you’re going. Are we clear?” She sat up a little straighter.
“Do I need to salute?” All trace of the tears were gone, and there was a hint of a sparkle in her eyes.
“I’m not an officer, I work for a living,” he teased.
She gave his hand a squeeze. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Honey.”
***
The deputy was some kid fresh out of training and had no idea who Drake was. In true Jasper Creek fashion, he had been impressed with how he’d handled everything. He’d taken his and Karen’s statement and supervised the bad guy's transport to the hospital.
Drake recognized one of them from his family home. He had been the one who had been with tattoo boy, but the guy he shot was new. Just how many fucking bastards did his dad have on tap? He didn’t tell the deputy that he knew the one guy. The report was just going to end up in the sheriff’s hands anyway, and what good would that do him?
Drake figured it would be later in the day when the deputy’s report hit Delmar’s desk, and the shit would hit the fan. That’s when the sheriff would come visiting Karen’s house. Drake called Aiden and let him know what had gone on, and made further plans. Then he asked to talk to Evie so she could set up a room for Karen. He was finishing up with the call when he noticed the EMT’s weren’t loading Karen into the ambulance. He went over to find out what the hell was going on.
The man and woman were packing up the truck, and Karen was standing beside it ready to walk into the house.
“Why the hell aren’t you taking her to the hospital?”
“She signed the waiver,” the woman said.
He spun around and glared at Karen. “Why in the hell would you do a foolish thing like that?”
“I told you I was fine.”
“Is she fine?”
“She can walk, it’s her decision.” The woman slammed the door of the truck shut and went to the front of the vehicle.
“You are the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met, and considering my teammate's women and my sisters, that’s saying something.”
“We don’t have time for me to go to the hospital,” she said as she walked past him towards her house. She was stiff as she walked.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m going to work,” she said.
His phone rang, he ignored it.
“The only place you’re going is to the chalet with me,” Drake said as he caught up with her. He automatically opened the door and guided her over the threshold.
She smiled up at him. “I like your manners.”
“Fuck my manners. You’re not going to school. Get your ass into the bedroom and get ready to go to the chalet. You need warm, comfortable clothes, like sweats.” She had insisted on wearing jeans and a prim schoolteacher blouse for the police’s arrival. She stared at him. “Are you listening?”
“I’m listening,” she said. Then she went to her bedroom.
Drake listened to his message, it was Clint, asking if he needed any help with the situation in Tennessee. Well, at least he had waited over seventy-two hours, Drake grinned. It was a record. He figured his teammate Finn would be next.
The bedroom door opened, and Drake growled as he took in Karen’s outfit. The woman was actually wearing some kind of pretty pantsuit when she should be in pajamas or sweats.
Drake jumped off the couch. “I thought you said you were listening.”
“I heard every word you said. I didn’t say I agreed with it.”
“Goddammit, you’re not thinking of teaching class, are you?”
“It’s eight o’clock. School starts at nine. I really thought it was later, but I can still make it. It’s too late to ask for a substitute.”