After the Storm (KGI #8)(46)

“We do,” he said simply.

They drove across the compound back in the direction they’d come and pulled up beside the building Eve had noticed on their way in. The one with no windows that resembled a hulking, concrete block. What she hadn’t seen at the time was that there was a smaller building right behind it. This one had windows in the front. Was this the infirmary Donovan had mentioned?

It awed her that they had such a sophisticated, self-sustaining facility. Airfields, hangars, a helicopter, shooting range. And an honest-to-God medical clinic.

“What’s that building?” she asked, gesturing toward the one with no windows.

“War room,” Donovan said.

She gaped at him. “War room?”

“It’s where we plan our missions. It houses our communications, computers, all the technology that plays a part in our business. It—and I—are the brains in this operation,” he said with a grin.

“He’s our resident geek,” Swanny said, speaking up for the first time since they’d left Donovan’s home.

“It would seem you do a little bit of everything,” Eve murmured. “Medic, geek, badass ex-military guy? Is there anything you can’t do?”

He pretended to consider the matter a moment, and then his smile broadened. “Nope.”

“Very humble too,” Swanny said dryly.

Eve couldn’t help the light chuckle that escaped her. Donovan stopped in his tracks as he started to get out of the driver’s side.

“You have a beautiful smile, Eve.”

She had no idea what to say to that. She immediately sobered, because really, what right did she have to be smiling when her brother and sister were hurt and ill?

“I didn’t say that so you’d stop,” Donovan said as he appeared at her door.

“I haven’t had a lot to smile about,” she returned quietly as he helped her from the vehicle.

“And I intend to rectify that.”

Her mouth fell open, but he ignored her reaction and began walking her in slow, measured steps to the door where Joe and Steele had already taken Travis. Swanny followed swiftly behind, carrying Cammie.

“I want to be with Travis,” Eve said anxiously. “I need to make sure he’s okay.”

Donovan slid a hand down her arm, spreading warmth in its wake. “He’ll be fine, Eve. I’ll put you and Cammie in the other exam room so you’re with her when Maren checks her over.”

“Yes, of course,” Eve said hastily. “I didn’t mean that I’d be leaving Cammie. I just thought that we could all be in the same room.”

Donovan led her into a small exam room and set her down in a chair. Then he turned to Swanny and took Cammie from his arms and perched her on the end of the padded exam table.

“The rooms are small and there are only two. Maren will need the room to get the portable X-ray in. Joe and Steele will be with him, and as soon as she’s done with Travis she’ll let you know how he is. I promise.”

Eve nodded, but anxiety was eating her alive. Travis tried so hard to hide his pain from her. She knew he didn’t want her to worry. But she’d seen how difficult it was for him to even walk.

The wait seemed interminable. And then finally Maren walked into the room, a reassuring smile on her face.

Eve surged to her feet, earning her a reproving frown from Donovan, who reached to steady her when she wobbled.

“How is he?” she asked anxiously.

“He indeed has some broken ribs, but they’re lower and didn’t do any damage to his lungs or other internal organs. His pulse is good and he’s not exhibiting any signs of internal bleeding, but Donovan will need to keep close watch on him for the next few days. I’ll look in on him daily until I’m satisfied that he’s recovering well.”

“Is that all?” Eve asked, afraid that there was more.

“Just a few bumps, bruises and scrapes. He’s very lucky. You all are. A tornado is nothing to sneeze at. You did right by getting them inside that culvert, but you should have been there yourself,” Maren chided.

“They’re more important,” Eve said fiercely.

Donovan touched her arm, rubbing his finger lightly up her skin to her shoulder.

“You’re important too, Eve.”

“Now how about I have a look at you, young lady?” Maren said in a cheerful tone to Cammie.

Cammie looked shyly up at Maren and then over to Donovan for reassurance. How quickly Donovan had gained Cammie’s trust. It was something that still shocked Eve. Cammie had even warmed to Swanny. She was grateful to Swanny and Donovan, and, well, all of them for proving to Cammie that all men weren’t to be feared. She just prayed that faith hadn’t been misplaced. It would crush Cammie and cement her fear of all men.

“I’ll be right here, sweetheart. So will Eve. Maren won’t hurt you. She just wants to help you feel better.”

Cammie nodded slowly and turned wide eyes to Maren. Maren smiled warmly at her and then began her examination. At times Maren frowned as she listened to Cammie’s breath sounds. Then she took her pulse and temperature and looked at her throat and palpated her lymph nodes.

When she was finished, Eve sat forward eagerly, looking to Maren for her diagnosis.

“She’s a sick little girl,” Maren said bluntly. “Normally I’d have her in the hospital on IV fluids and antibiotics, but I understand that isn’t an option for you. I’m going to start an IV on her here and Donovan can administer her meds at home until I see an improvement in her condition.”