Read Online Risk of a Lifetime by Claudia Shelton - Free Book Online Page B

stood.
    “Here’s a shirt, jeans, and a pair of socks,” Sadie said through the opening, pushing her arm into the room with the clothes. “Forgot the underwear.”
    “Commando’s fine with me.” JB offered.
    Marcy shot him a can’t-believe-you-said-that-to-my-mama look before she took the stack from her mother. “Thanks.”
    “You need anything else?”
    “No, we’re ready to head home. I really appreciate you doing this.”
    The red-haired woman reached through and gave Marcy a hug. “I’m glad you’re both okay.”
    “Me, too.”
    “Thanks, Sadie,” JB said.
    The door closed with her goodbye before Marcy brought the clothes over to the bed, laying them next to him. When he stood, the world shifted for a moment, and he steadied his leg against the mattress then ripped the hospital gown off.
    She grabbed his arm, flicked her glance in a quick once over of his body, then dropped her hold. “You sure you’re okay to go home?”
    Their looks met for a long, steady moment. The heat from her hand on his arm had touched more than his skin. From the flush of her cheeks, she’d felt it, too. She turned away, and he pivoted toward the bed.
    “I’ve been hurt a lot worse than this. Get your stuff together, so we can get out of here.” Glancing over his shoulder, he grinned as she walked to her chair. “And, don’t worry, sugar, I can take care of my bodily—”
    Damn, he’d done it again. Called her sugar. He needed to stop, even if he did like to see her fume every time he said the word.
    The door banged open, and in barged Betsy.
    “Do you ever knock?” Marcy asked.
    If he thought turning around would get her sister out of the room sooner, he would. Instead, he stayed facing the bed then looked back over his shoulder.
    Betsy let her gaze rest right where it landed. “Looking mighty good from the backside, JB.”
    Too late, Marcy dashed to block her sister’s view.
    “Glad I got your approval.” Naked and cold and still a little wobbly on his feet, he didn’t move.
    Betsy cleared her throat. “I wanted to make sure you both were okay.”
    “We’re fine. Is there anything else we can do for you?” JB squared his shoulders. “If not, then you may want to leave, because I’m gonna turn around in about three seconds.”
    Marcy spun to face him, her look one of jealous indignation. “You wouldn’t dare.”
    JB grinned. “One. Two.”
    Betsy turned and walked out the door while Marcy followed her, blocking any chance of reentry.
    “You sure everything’s okay?” Betsy asked through the barely open doorway.
    “Everything’s good.” Marcy pushed the door closed inch by inch. “Thanks for taking mama to get the clothes. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    The door finally met the doorframe, but a second later, it reopened a couple inches. Better not be someone with a wheelchair.
    “Marcy?”
    “Yes, Betsy.”
    “Be sure you keep an eye on those ugly bruises on JB’s side and back. They don’t look good, if you ask me.”
    He glanced in Marcy’s direction as she walked back in the room. Buttoning and zipping the jeans in place, he could feel the weight of her stare. He quickly dragged the black T-shirt over his head. Winced as he stretched his arms into the sleeves. Damn that hurt.
    As he eased the shirt down his body, his wife’s gaze lingered on his chest. He figured she saw the bruises. Maybe even the still red and puckered scars from his last case. He didn’t plan on talking about those any time soon. He shuffled into his boots and laced them up. The faster he got himself and Marcy out of there, the less likely she’d ask questions.
    “You ready?” His fingers brushed a strand of hair behind her ear when he stepped in front of her.
    Her lips parted. Her eyes focused on his for a moment before they lowered to his shirt again.
    “Don’t worry. It’s nothing. A couple of bricks hit me in that second blast.” He turned her to the door.
    “What about the other—”
    “Not now, Marcy.