Chapter 7

“And how are you feeling?” he asked quietly. He needed to hear it from Jesse’s lips.

“My throat’s a little sore, but that’ll get better in a few days. Other than that, I’m good.” Jesse looked around Gideon’s body. “Hey, Derek. Why don’t you come in and shut the door?”

Derek didn’t look as glib as he’d been in the locker room, but he glanced at Rachel who stood in the doorway next to him. She nodded without a word and stepped into the hall, leaving them in solitude as the door whispered closed behind her.

“It’s good to hear you two are going to be fine,” he said, coming to the foot of the bed. His eyes kept straying to Emma. “You did a brave thing, Jess.”

“I did the only thing I could do.” He leaned forward and closed his fingers around Emma’s hand. After a moment, the corner of his mouth lifted. “I’ve been monitoring her, making sure she doesn’t get upset or have any bad dreams. But she’s been sleeping calmly since the doctor left.”