“When you get home,” he says as he moves to my bedside, dropping into a chair. “Right now, you need to take it easy.”
Leaning forward, he crosses his forearms on the bed rail to stare at me. He’s got soot all over his face, and he looks tired.
I reach to touch his cheek, and my voice quakes. “I don’t know how I’ll ever repay—”
“Don’t,” he says, taking my hand and moving it from his face, wrapping it in both of his. He squeezes. “Don’t even go there.”
Tears fill my eyes. “I did something stupid tonight. You could’ve gotten shot, the horses could have died… it’s all my fault.”
“Don’t,” Kellen says again, this time with true ire. “You trespassed on a man’s property. That in no way gives him the right to shoot at us, nor set that barn on fire. That’s all on him.”
“Levi did it, didn’t he?”
“No proof, but you and I both know he did it, or he had someone do it.” Kellen glances back at the curtain, lowers his voice. “Listen… the police are here, and I gave them my statement. I did not tell them about Hellman. I didn’t tell them about him showing up at your clinic or you going out to his place tonight.”
“But why—”
“—because if they investigate him, then they’re going to find out he suspects you of stealing Princess and coming onto his property. You already have the arrest against you, and you’re going to get in more trouble. Hell, he could have you on video at his place tonight, and if we come at him, he’ll come after you. Plus, we’ve got nothing to prove he did this other than suspicion.”
“All my fault,” I say miserably, looking off to the side as I’m unable to meet Kellen’s gaze. I’ve screwed up so much stuff and put Kellen and the horses in grave danger.
“Abby.” His voice is soft but chastising.
“I should’ve just left him alone. None of this would’ve happened. And yes, I did wrong, but now he’s going to get away with almost killing the horses, and you could’ve been killed and—”
A sob tears free, and Kellen is out of the chair, leaning over the bed and wrapping me in his arms. He doesn’t try to dissuade me from my guilt anymore, instead encouraging me to just purge. “Let it out, baby.”
His hand rubs my back while I cry on his shoulder.
With Kellen’s strong arms, reassurances, and refusal to let me blame myself further, I buck up and dry my tears.
When he pulls back, he brushes his lips across my head, and there’s not a touch he’s given me so far—of which there have been some amazing ones—that rivals the light kiss to remind me he’s on my side.
Kellen’s eyes bore into mine. “Your sister called on your phone.”
“My phone?”
“It was in your pocket. The ambulance attendants gave it to me. I had to stay in the waiting room while they worked on you here, and well… she called. The caller ID said Thing Two, and since you told me about your nicknames, I knew it was her and…”
“You answered and told her what was going on,” I finish for him. “Is she freaking out?”
“I don’t think so.” His tone is neutral. “She knew about Hellman, though. Came to the same conclusion we did.”
“I tell her everything,” I say simply. “She’s the only one in my family who knows I’ve been striking at him.”
“She knew who I was.” Kellen’s smile is impish, and I can tell he’s not displeased that I’ve shared him with my twin. “At any rate, I assured her you were okay and that you’d call her once we got you home and settled.”
“And when might that be?”
“Soon. The doctor was finishing up your discharge instructions right before I came in. You’ve been ordered to take a few days to rest. Between your shoulder and the smoke inhalation, you’re not in the best shape.”
I nod. I feel crummy in both body and spirit. I fucked up big-time, and there’s a lot of mess to sort out.
The only thing that makes me feel marginally better is that Kellen is by my side and shows no inclination of running for the hills. I’m not sure why he’s sticking by me, but I’ll take it.
I don’t have much else to hold on to at the moment.
CHAPTER 14
Kellen
I listen as LeAnne Schoen talks. Abby’s napping, and I’ve taken point today on handling things. I’m also the one who notified Dr. Schoen about the fire last night once we got home from the hospital. Abby called Kat, her twin, and they had an emotional talk. I don’t know much about the twin thing, but those two are as close as it comes. With only a few words from her sister, Abby started crying.
Then Kat was crying (Abby had the call on speakerphone), and I didn’t know what the fuck to do. I’ve never been great with tears from women. With Adriana, they were always manipulative, so I mostly ignored it.