Page 41 of SEAL's Promise
“I’ll find out when we’re on the move again.” He glanced at Jackson. “What’s the best way to do this?”
“Raise the hatchback and slide her out the back.”
Cal lowered the seat and raised the hatchback.
“How can I help?” Eli asked after he slid down the embankment.
“We need to move Rachelle to Jackson’s SUV. Grab my gear.”
“I’m all right,” she insisted. “I can climb out on my own.”
Not a chance. He laid a hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently. “Indulge me. The accident shook me up.”
Her lips curved. “Right.”
She might think he was exaggerating, but he wasn’t. Cal had never been so afraid in his life as when the other vehicle slammed into Rachelle’s side of the SUV.
Cal and Jackson slid Rachelle across the seats and into the cargo area. While Jackson held her steady, Cal gripped her upper arms.
“I’m going to move you toward Cal and help you sit up, nice and slow,” Jackson said. “If you become dizzy or nauseated, I need to know.”
When she nodded, the medic climbed from the vehicle and worked with Cal to ease Rachelle into a sitting position.
Although he watched her face, Cal didn’t detect signs of nausea or pain. “How do you feel?”
She was silent as she assessed her body’s response to the change in position. “A little lightheaded. I’m also starting to stiffen up.”
With the speed of impact, he wasn’t surprised. She’d be hurting for several days.
Eli grabbed Cal’s gear from the SUV. “Let’s roll. Zane has a cleanup crew on the way.” He slid a glance to Cal. “The skin on my nape is prickling.”
Not a good sign. Cal needed to get Rachelle situated in the other SUV and get her out of here. Eli’s instincts were never wrong, and in this case, they agreed with his own.
“What’s that mean?” Rachelle asked.
“Trouble’s headed our way.” Cal could have lied. He wouldn’t if he could avoid it. He didn’t want their relationship to be based on untruths. He wanted the same kind of rock-solid relationship with her that Jon and Eli had with their wives.
“Wonderful. I’m ready to go.”
“I’m carrying you. Don’t argue. I need to hold you in my arms.” When he gently lifted her into his arms, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Trusting his teammates to have their backs, he moved quickly to Jackson’s vehicle and set her on the backseat. Jackson tossed him the vehicle remote and climbed into the backseat beside Rachelle with his mike bag at the ready.
Although Cal hated to be separated from her even by a few feet, he wanted Rachelle to have her cut examined as soon as possible. He’d seen enough injuries during his career to recognize when someone needed stitches, and she did.
He cranked the engine. Cal fell in behind Rafe with Eli bringing up the rear.
“I’m going to clean your cut so I have a better idea of what we’re dealing with,” Jackson said to Rachelle. Minutes later, he said, “Congratulations, pretty lady. You need stitches.”
“I’m not a fan,” she muttered. “You sure I can’t get a second opinion?”
Cal smiled. He didn’t blame her. He’d received more stitches than he wanted during his years in the military, law enforcement, and black ops work. “Sorry, sweetheart. He’s right.”
“Traitor,” she groused.
Jackson patted her shoulder. “I understand your reluctance. However, the cut on your forehead won’t close on its own without leaving a significant scar. I can stitch the cut or we can have a doctor brought in to do the honors. Your choice. The cut is near your hairline. With your hairstyle, the stitches won’t show, and you shouldn’t have much of a scar.”
A sigh. “Cal, what do you recommend?”
“Jackson’s an excellent medic.”