After the Storm (KGI #8)(47)

“How sick is she?” Eve whispered. “What’s wrong with her?”

“She has the beginnings of pneumonia. I want to do a chest X-ray to confirm my suspicion, but her breath sounds are labored and she’s rattling when she breathes. Left untreated, she could get very ill.”

Though Maren didn’t say it in front of Cammie so as not to frighten her, Eve got what she’d left unsaid. Cammie could die.

Eve buried her face in her hands as sobs welled from her throat. Donovan’s arm went around her, pulling her into his embrace. He squatted on the floor beside Eve’s chair and held her, rocking her back and forth.

“I tried,” Eve choked out. “I’ve tried so hard and it’s not enough. It’s my fault she’s so sick. I should have done more but I couldn’t. You don’t understand. He would have found us and I can’t let that happen. I can’t let her and Travis go back to him. No matter what happens to me, I can’t let them down.”

“Shhh, Eve,” Donovan said gently. “You’ve taken far too much on your shoulders. You’re only one person. You did the best you could. No one faults you for that. You’ve taken excellent care of Cammie and Travis, but it’s time to let someone take care of you.”

She shook her head. “They are what matters. Not me. They have their whole lives ahead of them,” she sobbed. “I won’t let him ruin it for them.”

“Eve, I need to examine you now,” Maren said in a gentle tone.

Eve lifted her head. “I’m fine. Really. Travis and Cammie are the ones who needed help.”

“I’ll be the one to determine that,” Maren said firmly. “Your head is still bleeding from a wound, and I need to see what I’m dealing with.”

Maren lifted her hand in puzzlement and then stared at her fingers as they came away with blood smeared on the tips. Donovan helped her to her feet and then picked Cammie up so Eve could take her place on the exam table.

“Do you remember what all happened during the storm?” Maren asked as she probed into Eve’s hair. “Can you tell me where you hurt?”

Her entire body ached. She felt like one giant bruise. Donovan had been right about one thing. Now that reaction had settled in, she felt every part of her body and it was screaming in protest.

“It was all a blur,” Eve said. “I was trying to get Cammie and Travis to safety. Travis was hit by a huge limb and I had to leave him to get Cammie into the culvert. When I came out, I was knocked to the ground and then Travis was there. But the wind just picked me up. And I made Travis leave me to go back to Cammie. I don’t remember much else.”

“Donovan, can you step out so I can do a more thorough assessment of Eve?” Maren asked calmly. “Why don’t you take Cammie down to see Travis? Joe and Steele are with him. I’ve already bound his ribs and given him something for pain.”

“Just make sure you give something to Eve too,” Donovan said in a firm voice.

Maren’s lips lifted in a half smile. “I’ve got this, Donovan. Now shoo.”

After Donovan left, Maren turned back to Eve. “Can you undress for me? I want to go over all your extremities and your abdomen as well. Depending on what I find, I may do X-rays on you as well. You’ve got quite the bump on your head. I’d prefer to be able to do a CAT scan, but I don’t have that capability here.”

Eve slowly undressed, with Maren holding on to her arm for support. When she was done, she reclined on the exam table and Maren did a brisk assessment, occasionally asking Eve if an area hurt.

After several long minutes, Maren helped Eve sit up and then get back into her clothing.

“My only concern is how serious your head injury is,” Maren said. “You’ve got extensive bruising, but I don’t think anything’s broken. But you’re going to have to take it easy for several days. All of you. And I mean that, Eve. Complete rest. I don’t want you so much as lifting a finger.”

“But I can’t,” Eve protested. “We were leaving. I can’t stay. I’ve been here too long as it is. I have to keep moving or he’ll find us. I know he won’t give up until he does. You don’t understand what he’s capable of. What he’s already done and will do again.”

Helplessness gripped her, overwhelming her until she wanted to weep in despair. How could anyone understand the enormity of their situation? That if Walt caught up to them, Eve would be put away and then Cammie—and Travis—would be alone, and he’d vent his rage and tighten his control over them.

“You’re staying, Eve.”

Eve whirled around to see Donovan standing in the now-open door, grim determination locked on his face.

“I have nowhere to stay,” Eve whispered. “The trailer is gone. We have nothing. Everything I own is in the suitcase you found. It’s all I have to support us and it’s not enough!”

Donovan’s expression was determined, his lips drawn into a tight line as he stared unblinking at her.

“That’s not true, Eve. You have me. You have KGI. You and Cammie and Travis will be staying with me.”

CHAPTER 16

DONOVAN watched as the color fled from Eve’s cheeks. She braced herself on the exam table, panic evident in her eyes.

“We can’t,” Eve protested. “You don’t understand.”