Page 43 of Rescuing Ryder

He sighed before sitting on the bed and pulling at her arms.

His hand braced the back of her head and rocked her like a child. He turned his head slightly to whisper in her ear.

“Claire Bear, listen to me. I’m staying right here with you. You’re safe. Doc’s here with Kassie, and they want to check on your injuries. I’ll still hold you, baby. Let us see to your injuries,” he coaxed her gently.

She tried to breathe, but her ribs hurt and her head pounded. Wincing, Claire reluctantly let go of his neck. He ran his hand soothingly down her back as he peered angrily at her face.

She sobbed, thinking Ryder must be mad at her for what she said earlier.

“Shhh. Doc needs to check your eye,” he soothed her as he used his fingers to slightly turn her head.

Chase shined a light on her, making her wince and cry out. Ryder tightened his hold on her.

“Easy, Doc,” he growled at Chase.

“I’m doing my best, Ryder. The gash appears deep and she’ll require stitches. We need to take her up to the hospital. I need a CT scan of her head,” Chase explained gravely.

Claire’s arms circled his neck and she dug in, scared Ryder intended to let her go.

He swept her up in his arms and they put the stretcher back in the ambulance.

“Get in and I’ll hand her up to you,” Leo ordered as he stood by the door.

He attempted to transfer her into Leo’s arms, but she refused to budge. Ryder glanced helplessly at the men.

Kassie approached. Her hand rubbed Claire’s arm. “Claire. Breathe in and out, light breaths. I’m standing beside you. Ryder needs to step inside the ambulance. He can’t hold you and get everything he needs. I’ll hold your arm while Leo takes you. I won’t let go until Ryder has you back in his. Trust me, Claire, like I did you.”

A minute went by before Claire slowly removed her arms. She couldn’t see Kassie out of her eye but felt her friend’s touch.Leo held onto her gently while Ryder hopped into the back. When he sat on the stretcher, Leo passed her back to him. She snuggled into his neck, smelling his scent, knowing he’d keep her safe.

The ambulance drive felt short as Kassie again grasped Claire’s arm as Chase held her and waited for Ryder to jump down. He scooped her gently back into his arms, kissing her temple as they headed to the ER.

“We need scans and x-rays, Claire Bear. I’m laying you on the cot.” Claire struggled against him. From a professional point of view, she knew she experienced a shock. But from her personal one, her body refused to accept him leaving.

She heard Chase, Ryder and Kassie murmuring to one another before she felt the cold swab of an alcohol pad against her arm and a slight sting.

Realizing they gave her something, Claire raised her head to beg him not to leave her. Her mouth moved but nothing came out.

Ryder laid her down and swiped her hair gently away from her face. Her eyelids fluttered as she saw his concerned face leaning down to hers out of her one good eye.

“I’m not leaving, Claire Bear,” he whispered before the drugs pulled her under and he moved her arms to her sides.

She felt the wave of the drug take over. But her mind stayed stuck in panic mode and she struggled to distinguish if she was dying or going under the sedative. Either way, Ryder’s life was saved and he was what mattered.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Claire felt his rough thumbs as Ryder stroked her hand and spoke encouragingly to her as she woke up. The sounds of machines surrounded her and he sat on the edge of her bed. She felt his body beside hers as she attempted to open her eyes, but only one seemed to work.

“Good morning,” he murmured.

She winced as her head pounded. Someone closed the shades to the room and dimmed the light.

“You’re safe on the mountain,” Ryder whispered. “Rest for a while longer. When you wake, I’ll be right here.”

She closed her eyes at his gentle order and let the blackness take over. As long as he stayed with her, Claire knew she remained safe.

Kassie walkedinto the room with clean clothes. “She’ll sleep for at least another hour. You can shower and change right here in her room. I know you’re new here, but Claire saved me more than once. I won’t leave her side. Wash off the blood and leavethe clothes in the bathroom,” she suggested as she pointed out his bloody clothing.

“I’ll take ten minutes.” He took the clothes from her arms. She smiled and sat beside Claire.