BOOK 8

He went with her, holding her hand as she climbed painfully up the steps; and it was Matt who helped her into the ambulance and who steadied her as it bumped across the rocky cliff path. The little boy traveled with them. He was recovering fast, and he stared at them from the safety of his mother’s lap. Although she was pale with shock, she smiled and thanked Alex and Matt repeatedly and tearfully as the ambulance conveyed all of them to the hospital.

When they reached their destination, an overworked nurse whisked the little boy and his mother away, only pausing long enough to wave Alex and Matt toward an empty cubicle. Matt pulled the curtains for privacy and then helped Alex onto the treatment bed and covered her with a thin blanket, keeping it clear of the raw skin on her leg.

“I’d quite like to spend some time with you that doesn’t involve trauma or bandages and painkillers,” he told her, settling himself into the chair beside her.

She gave him a wobbly smile. “Me too!”

“Maybe we