A sense of relief washed through Jesse. He had fulfilled his mission. He’d kept Ellie’s kids alive until she’d returned.
He strode to the window, put a finger to his lips. “Shhh.”
She entered quietly, her lips curving in a smile. “Are they asleep?”
“I guess I wore them out.”
She set her handbag down and slid out of her coat. Her stethoscope was still around her neck, and there was dried blood on her scrubs and the tops of her white shoes—proof that her afternoon had been rough. “How did it go?”
“Fine. They weren’t happy when you left. They bickered a few times, but I broke it up.” What else should he tell her? “Daisy used her potty. I changed Daniel once.”
Ellie was still smiling as if he’d said something funny. “You’re a pro.”
Jesse didn’t want to brag, but he’d done pretty well. “How are things in the ER?”
She shook her head, let out a breath. “Everything is under control now. It was mayhem at first. We triaged thirty kids. We sent the most critical to Denver. Some went to Boulder. We lost one—a little boy who was only six. Open skull fracture. He had internal injuries, too. I was with him and his parents when he died. I know them.”
God. How fucking awful.
“I’m sorry. That must have been hard.”
“Yeah.” She looked up at him, weariness and sadness disappearing, giving way to that same amused smile. She pointed to his head. “I like the tiara. The look suits you.”
“What?” He reached up and felt Daisy’s plastic tiara. He’d forgotten about it. He pulled it off. “Don’t judge. We all need to experiment.”
She laughed at this, then stepped out of her shoes, frowning when she saw the blood. “Would you mind watching them while I take a quick shower?”
He didn’t need an explanation. “Go ahead.”
“I’d love it if you would stay for dinner after that.”
“Kraft Dinner? I’d love to.”
Chapter 9
Ellie steppedunder the hot spray and let the tears come. Yes, they’d saved lives today, but they’d lost one. Losing any patient hurt, but a child...
She would never forget the agony on Carrie and Jim Kirby’s faces as they ran through the ER to be with their little boy—or Carrie’s heartbroken cry when all of their efforts to restart little Tyler’s heart had failed.
Ellie sobbed out the despair she’d carried with her all afternoon. Then she remembered.
Jesse.
She couldn't leave him alone with the kids forever. He’d already gone above and beyond for her.
She swallowed her unspent emotion, washed away the sweat and blood and grief, shaved her legs, and dried off, taking the time to brush her hair and put on a little makeup. Then she slipped into a pair of old jeans and a gray Henley shirt, skipping the bra. She needed softness and comfort tonight, not underwire.
She caught her reflection in the mirror. She wouldn’t impress Jesse tonight. Her eyes were red from crying, and there were dark circles beneath them from her night of horny non-sleeping.
Don’t worry about it.
She walked out of her bedroom to find the kids sitting with Jesse on the couch watchingSesame Street. Daisy snuggled against his left side, sucking her thumb, while Daniel sat on his lap, holding his blanket.
Ellie's heart gave a little squish.
The twins’ faces lit up when they saw her.
“Mama!”