The Naughty List Bundle - Kylie Adams [234]
Jordan looked at Sawyer and got his nod of confirmation. “Looks like he’ll need a few stitches, but that’s all.”
“Thank God.” Jordan, still looking somewhat sick and so furious he could chew nails, headed for the clinic door.
An hour and a half later, everything had quieted down. There was a lot of smoke damage to the clinic, but very little had burned. It hadn’t taken a large investigation to discover that a pet owner who’d come in earlier had evidently thrown a cigarette into the trash can in the bathroom. The can was metal, so other than the walls and floor in that room being singed, the damage was mostly smoke-related. It would take quite a bit of work, and a professional crew, to get everything clean again and to rid the clinic of the smell. Jordan had a strict no-smoking policy. Gabe couldn’t remember ever seeing his brother look so ravaged, or so livid.
Gabe was propped up against a tree, his head bandaged, watching the proceedings with frustration since Sawyer had flatly refused to let him help out. Lizzy had continued to work with Jordan until they had every animal accounted for and loaded into covered truck beds. Luckily, not a single animal had suffered a serious injury from the small fire, but they were frightened and skittish and Jordan was using his mesmerizing voice to calm them all. He looked like hell warmed over, but his tone didn’t in any way match his expression. It was lulling and easy and sank into the bones, reassuring even the most fractious animal.
Lizzy returned to Gabe’s side again and again, and each time he told her he was fine. Then she’d flit off to do more work. She had to be exhausted, but she kept on. He was so damn proud of her, he could barely contain himself.
As if she’d heard his thoughts, she glanced at him, then hurried to his side. “Do you need something to drink?”
On her knees beside him, she smoothed his hair and touched his cheek. Gabe caught her hand and carried it to his mouth. “Mm. You taste like charcoal.”
She grinned. “I imagine I smell like it, too.” She glanced at Jordan. “Sawyer recommended he move the animals into your garage until the clinic can be cleaned. It’ll take a few days. Poor Jordan. He looks devastated.”
“I know how he feels.” She faced him, her brow puckered in confusion, and he said, “You scared the hell out of me, Lizzy, when you ran back in there without me. For all I knew, the place was burning to the ground. I kept thinking about you getting hurt….”
“I was careful.”
“But what if you’d stumbled like I did? How the hell would I have gotten you out of there?” Her expression softened, and she leaned forward to gently kiss his mouth.
“I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“I love you.” He hadn’t said it again since she’d had her nightmare, and now he couldn’t keep the words contained. Her eyes widened. “What?” he asked, sounding a little sarcastic. “You thought I made it up the first time? Not a chance.”
“Oh, Gabe.” Tears welled in her eyes, and Gabe held his breath, waiting to see what she would say.
Then Jordan appeared, and he hauled Lizzy to her feet. “I’ve been so busy trying to see to things, I haven’t even thanked you yet.”
Jealousy speared through Gabe as he watched Jordan lift Lizzy onto her tiptoes and kiss her soundly. She blushed, but she didn’t pull away.
“This is going to be inconvenient as hell for a few days,” Jordan said, hugging her tight, “but at least all the animals are safe.”
Lizzy finally pulled back. She smiled and started to say, “Gabe’s the real…” but then her words tapered off and she put a hand over her mouth.
Jordan raised a brow. “Real what? Hero? I’d say you both are. Not only did you get all twenty-three animals outside, you even managed to get my baby brother out with only a knock to his hard head. That took a lot of guts, sweetheart, and I want you to know how much I appreciate it.”
After Jordan walked away, Gabe took pity on Lizzy and tugged her down beside him. She was mute, her dirty face blank. Gabe kissed her ear. “How’s it feel to be a heroine? Will you add your own experiences to your thesis?”
She blinked