She got up quickly, took it from her dresser. “It’s here. It’s safe, too. I’ll get Bran.”
“How about this? I need some clothes because I’m completely naked here. Help me get dressed, and we’ll go to Bran.”
“There’s pain in your eyes.”
And there were shadows under hers.
“It’s not so bad. Scout’s honor—I promise,” he corrected. “I need to move, Anni. I just need to move, and to eat something, and to find out what the hell happened.”
“Riley said you wouldn’t sl
eep again if you woke.” On a sigh, Annika turned back to the dresser. “I brought your clothes into my room. I want you to stay with me.”
“Good, that’s what I want, too. Just grab me some pants and a shirt.”
She did as he asked, helped him dress.
“Sawyer?”
“Yeah.”
“You are a hero to me.”
“Anni? You’re a hero to me. How about helping me downstairs so we can talk to the other heroes?”
It hurt, but nothing he figured a few aspirin wouldn’t deal with. And some food. And a beer. As they came out of Annika’s room, Riley came out of hers.
“I just— Hey! There he is.”
“He wouldn’t take the medicine, just as you said.”
“He’s okay, aren’t you, cowboy?” Riley stepped closer, gently rubbed a hand over the few days’ worth of beard. “A little scruffy, but it looks good on you. You scared the shit out of us.”
“Hey, me, too.”
“Let’s get you downstairs. I bet you could use some food.”
“I could eat. A lot.”
“Good sign.” Like Annika, Riley wrapped an arm around his waist, and together they helped him downstairs. “Outside,” Riley prescribed. “Fresh air, sunshine. I’ve got him, Annika. Why don’t you get him a big cold glass of the sun tea.”
“Beer.”
“Not yet, pal. And some food. There’s pasta from last night, and—”
“Yes, yes, I can fix the food, and the drink.”
“She’s filled us in,” Riley said in a low voice the moment they stepped outside. “But we’ll want your end of it. I’m going to tell you, she beat her tail bloody trying to get out to you, and she’s stuck with you since Bran put you under. She hasn’t been out of the room either. She needs the sun and the water.”
“Okay.” More than a little rocky, he sat under the pergola. “The pool’s just a stopgap. She needs the sea. Bran can get her down to the water. I can’t make it yet.”
“We’ll take care of it.”
Riley stepped back, spotted Sasha painting on the terrace, signaled her. “Sawyer’s awake, he’s down here. You want to get Bran?”
“We’ll be right down.”
Then glancing toward the grove, Riley put two fingers in her mouth, let out a long, loud whistle.