Framed in Death Valley by Dana Mentink

Author:Dana Mentink
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-11-23T19:19:19+00:00

ELEVEN

Laney opened her eyes to a startling brightness. A creamy wall held a whiteboard with strange notations and check marks next to a name, her name, Duke, Laney. There were numbers there, and marks and initials, some kind of checklist. A medicinal scent tickled her nostrils. She blinked hard, trying to place herself in space and time. Her head pounded and muscles ached everywhere, as if she’d been put through the tumble cycle of the dryer.

A calloused hand covered hers. Beckett stood over her, haggard, a hole in his T-shirt and a shadow of stubble on his chin. Why hadn’t he shaved? Memories trickled in from a nightmare, running, terror, faceless strangers pursuing. No, not a nightmare, she realized. She bolted upright, a scream on her lips.

“It’s okay,” Beckett said. “You’re safe. The NPS had you flown to a Las Vegas hospital.”

“Hospital? The baby...” she croaked, hands flying to her stomach, noting the IV taped to her hand. Why couldn’t she remember what had happened?

“Muffin is fine. You are too.” He flashed her a tenuous smile. “Minor cuts and bruises and mild dehydration. They were worried about shock and the pregnancy. Just precautionary to transport you here.”

Precautionary... She relaxed a notch. Still, she touched the swell of her tummy, just to reassure herself. “Kenny’s uncle came after me. I sprayed him with insect repellent.”

Beckett’s smile kindled some light in his eyes. “I know. Couldn’t be prouder.”

She squirmed, feeling her cheeks pinken. She wished he would not look at her quite so closely, but he was outright staring, and there was nowhere for her to hide unless she pulled the covers over her face.

He held a cup with a straw to her mouth. “How about some water? Hydrating, remember?”

She sipped gratefully to ease the dryness in her throat. As much as she was fearful to know the answer, she asked anyway. “Did they catch...?”

“No.” His mouth firmed into a line. “Kenny and his uncle are still at large, but they won’t be for long. Jude’s going to meet with us when you’re back home.”

Still at large. The bottom dropped out of her stomach. She wriggled her toes. As much as she felt careworn and tattered, the thought of lying in a hospital bed evoked downright helplessness in her spirit. “When can I get out of here?”

He smiled. “Maybe in a couple of hours.” His cell phone rang. He answered and covered the phone. “It’s Dr. Irene. I called her when we got here. Probably woke her up, but the doctors were giving me so much information and I couldn’t understand it all. Are you up to speaking with her?”

Laney nodded and he put the phone on Speaker.

“Laney, I’ve spoken to your doctor,” Irene said, without preamble. “Like I told Beckett, everything is fine. Baby’s heartbeat is strong, and your blood pressure is perfect too. Both of you are going to be okay, do you understand?”

Laney laughed. “Yes, ma’am, but why do you sound like a medical drill sergeant?”

There was a long sigh and then her tone gentled.

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