Chapter 8
Harrison
Ihate being away from my angel during the day, but I've got to do an honest day's work. Today, I have the afternoon off and I'm going to surprise her. I enter her place and look for her in the solarium where she usually works in the afternoon.
I find a note saying she'll be back by noon, but it's already three in the afternoon. I'm always concerned when she's out there by herself, but being three hours late could be a thing if I make it a thing. I'm ready to call in my team to help me find her when a text comes in.
If she's hurt, though, we need Brock. I send him a message to meet me here as soon as possible and then send a message to my boss at the park ranger station where the SAR team usually gathers on their down time.
I don't need the entire team to help me, but I'd like to have at least someone else helping me track her.
When I hear a knock on the door I see Brock is here and also Fletcher. He volunteers as needed to the SAR team. I'm happy they are both here and am able to relax because both of them know this mountain like the back of their hands.
We start our journey and every now and then Brock gives me words of comfort, but I'm in a haze where I don't hear anything but the sound of my own heartbeat. There are downfalls of living in the mountain and this is one of them. My angel is a city girl. Maybe we should move to Boulder or Denver.
She would probably have a better chance at selling her art and getting a job in one of those cities instead of in the middle of nowhere. Why am I talking as if she were mine? Because this more than anything convinces me we need to be together and I need to tell her how I feel about her.
I have a lot of feelings regarding Iris Drew, and they all come together in my mind to show me that I love her. I love her and want to spend the rest of my life with her. As we work in grids trying to locate her, my heart starts to ache. I wonder how badly she's hurt and if this will scare her off.
My angel is a fighter, and I think we'll be fine.
This month we've been together has been the best of my life and I know my heart.
She's made paintings of the mountain, the lake and of myself and she makes me look good.
No nudes though she might paint a calendar for next year's charity of the SAR team with our shirts off.
The longer it takes us to find her, the more I worry, and when Brock finally gives a shout, I'm relieved. I quickly move towards his position and find him checking Iris' leg. She has a big gash on her thigh and it's still bleeding.
"I'm so glad we found you, my angel. How are you feeling?"
"I'm weak. I think I've lost a lot of blood and I didn't have anything to do a tourniquet."
I kneel next to her while Brock works on the other side.
"This is going to need cleaning and stitches. I'm going to bind it so that we can get you to the clinic and get some hydration in you."
Brock is all business and I'm thankful for it.
We manage to get her to the clinic, and then she's off to the operating room so they can do what they need to do.
As long as Brock is with her, I've got nothing to worry about.
He's the best at what he does, and a millionaire to boot.
He doesn't really have to work, but we love him as a field doctor and appreciate his working with us.
My boss, James approaches me as I'm waiting for my girl.
"What is the prognosis?"
"Nothing serious, but she lost a lot of blood, so they might keep her for observation tonight. Brock is on it."
"If there's anything you need, just let us know."
"Maybe some time off to take care of her."
"You, got it. I'll do the paperwork tomorrow."
As I wait some of my colleagues from the SAR team stop by and give me encouragement, but all I need is to see that Iris is okay. Finally after two hours someone comes to see me about her.
"Miss Drew can have visitors now. She's right behind that curtain over there." The nurse points the way for me.
When I get to her, I find her looking pale and weak. She has her eyes closed and I don't want to disturb her, but Brock comes in at that exact moment making me feel relief.
"Everything went well. She's just tired, and with the blood loss we'll keep her overnight. Nothing to worry about unless the incision gets infected. Can you help take care of her?"
"I've already talked to my boss. I can do it. Thanks so much, Brock."
"That's what I'm here for. You seem pretty taken with her. Is she the one?"
I nod to him because I want her to be the one to hear the actual words before anyone else. He leaves us, and I sit next to her and hold her hand. Her hand is limp and lifeless and the whole situation scares me. I'm the one supposed to help her and protect her. Did I fail in my duty?
It takes another hour until she starts waking up and my heart soars.
"Hello my angel."
"I feel a little loopy."
"That's why they're keeping you until at least tomorrow."
She lifts the sheet covering her and sees the big bandage around her thigh.
"Oh God, am I even going to be able to walk?"
"Don't worry, I'll carry you wherever you need to go."
"Is that a promise?"
"I was so worried about you, Iris. Don't do that to me again."
"Get in bed with me and keep me company until I'm discharged."
"Anything for you, my angel."
It wasn't until two days later that they discharged her. She can barely walk on the leg, and once I settled her at home I promised myself I'll never leave her.