Chapter 69

Satisfied that the skin was warm; that blood still raced through the veins, she looked up at the medics and nodded her assent to place Cam in the ambulance.

“Oh, Pauly,” Maggie cried, turning to him. Tears started to fall down her face. She held her head high but her mouth was clenched. Her fingers over her mouth told Pauly more than words. Behind her, the rear doors of the ambulance slammed shut and the medical van started its way to the hospital.

“I know, I was surprised, too. She’ll look better once they can get some food into her,” Pauly tried to calm her.

Pauly sensed someone beside him and looked up into the face of a young sailor.

“Sir,” the ensign said, “I’m assigned to drive you and the doctor to the medical center. The ambulance is leaving.”

Pauly turned. He hadn’t realized that another car had pulled up behind them. He nodded, then cupped his hand under Maggie’s elbow. “Come on. She’ll need us more now. We have to be there for her. Now we have something to do.”