Way of the Warrior (Troubleshooters #17.5)(48)

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Joe kissed Sadie long and hard, not giving a damn if the whole frigging department got a good look at them. All that mattered was that she was alive. And safe.

Finally, the rattle of the gurney brought his head up, and he and Sadie shuffled out of the way so that the paramedics could load Jackson into the ambulance. Odds were good he’d survive the gunshot wound to his shoulder that had taken him down and probably saved the life of Joe’s brother Gabe who’d just entered the hallway to back him up.

Joe’s arm tightened around Sadie when she buried her face into his chest to avoid having to look at Jackson, and he pressed a kiss to the top of her hair, knowing that the nightmares she’d probably have from the experience were going to be rough. But he’d get her through it—just as she’d helped him through his.

“You all right, sweetheart?”

Joe and Sadie both glanced up, surprised to see Joe’s father standing there, his normally hard expression curiously tender as he gazed on them. Joe felt Sadie’s slight nod but said, “I’m taking her to the hospital to have her checked out, just to make sure.”

“No!” Sadie protested. “I can’t go to the hospital. I need to get Jasper to the vet, and—”

Mac jerked his chin toward Joe’s car. “You go on with Joe,” he interrupted. “I’ve got this under control.” Joe gave his father a nod of gratitude, then started to lead Sadie away but stopped short when Mac called, “Joseph?”

Joe turned to him, brows raised, knowing his father wasn’t exactly one for conversation—especially at a crime scene. “Yes, sir?”

The sheriff dipped his head ever so slightly in a terse nod, then headed back to the house.

“What was that all about?” Sadie asked.

Joe hugged her closer, his throat growing tight. He knew exactly what that nod meant. He also knew it wasn’t something any of Mac Dawson’s sons had received often in their lives. He had to swallow past his emotions before he said, “I’m pretty sure it meant he’s proud of me.”





EPILOGUE


Joe adjusted the blinds in his bedroom, blocking out as much of the early afternoon sunlight as possible, then stripped out of his clothes and climbed into his bed beside Sadie, pulling her into the curve of his body. After leaving the hospital and making a quick visit to Jasper at the vet’s office where he was expected to fully recover, Joe had brought Sadie back to his house, not wanting her to have to deal with going back to her own just yet. She’d go back when she was ready to face what had happened. And knowing his brave Sadie, it wouldn’t take her long.

She murmured something incoherent in her sleep as she nuzzled close, seeking his warmth. He smoothed her hair, careful not to disturb the knot on her head where she’d struck the bathtub. The hospital had confirmed that she had a mild concussion but would be fine. But when he thought about how much worse things might have gone, how close he’d come to losing her…

He tried to suppress the shudder that rippled through him, but it was enough that Sadie’s eyes fluttered open.

“Hey, you,” she muttered, turning in his arms so that she was facing him. “I was worried you’d be gone when I woke up.”

He shook his head. “I took the day off. Turns out I have an ‘in’ with my boss.”

She chuckled, then winced, her hand going reflexively to her head. “Damn, this hurts.”

Joe pressed a tender kiss to her hair. “Better?”

She shook her head, grinning. “Maybe it was the wrong spot.”

He rolled her onto her back, then his mouth found hers in a slow, lingering kiss. “How about that?” he murmured against her lips. “Was that any better?”

She gave him a playful grin. “You’re getting there…” She shifted, urging him into the cradle of her hips, and wrapped her arms and legs around him, keeping him close.

Joe peered down at her, marveling at the love in her eyes as she met his gaze. He gently brushed a lock of hair from her eyes then kissed her again. “My God, Sadie,” he whispered when the kiss ended, pressing his forehead to hers for a moment, “when I saw you there last night with that gun under your chin—”

She stopped his words with a brief kiss. “I’m fine. Don’t give it another thought.”

He shook his head. “But—”

“Do you know what I kept thinking when Sean had that gun on me?” she interrupted. “I just kept telling myself, Joe will come for me. I know you’ve been worried about your ability to do your job, but you saved my life last night, Joe. You’re a hero—my hero.”

“I’m no hero,” he argued, caressing her cheek with the back of his hand. “I was just doing what had to be done.”

“And putting yourself at risk in the process,” she reminded him.

“You’re everything to me, Sadie,” he told her softly. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to protect you. I love you. I always will.”

A slow grin curved her lips. “Well, then, Joe Dawson. I’d say you’d better get to showing me how much.”

He chuckled. “You need to rest.”

“I can rest later,” she told him, snaking her arms around his neck. “Right now, all I need is you.”