“Evie, did you call the police?” Randi asked, leading a deputy down the hallway.

“Sorry, Randi.” She glanced at Deke. “Everything happened so fast.”

“Super Nurse attacked an intruder,” Deke said.

“What?”

Evie sent him a dirty look before whopping him in the stomach with the back of her hand.

“Where’s the intruder?” Deputy Blaine asked.

“Gone,” Deke said. “Evie threw him out the window on the second floor landing. It’s possible that he’s hurt.”

“I’ll have someone check the local hospitals.” The deputy spoke into his shoulder mic. When he finished, he asked, “Can you walk me through what happened?”

Deke led their small group to the landing and detailed the incident as best he could. Evie added a few particulars that occurred before Deke’s arrival. The detective asked a barrage of follow-up questions before requesting that she and Deke stop by the station later to give a formal statement.

After the deputy left, she said to Randi, “I suppose I can’t persuade you not to tell Britt about this.”

“Already done, sorry. Someone texted him about a sheriff’s vehicle outside Triple B. Then he contacted me while you were going over the incident with Deputy Blaine.”

Evie groaned.

“I’d better work on getting that window boarded up.” She rubbed Evie’s back. “You gonna be okay?”

“I’m fine. Try to hold Britt off as long as possible.”

“Will do. I’ll send someone to sweep up the glass.”

“Thanks, Randi,” Deke said. “I’ll make sure whoever’s responsible for this covers the damage.”

Randi waved a hand in the air. “Don’t worry about it.” She squeezed Evie’s hand. “Be careful.”

Silence reigned on the landing. Evie wrapped her arms around her middle to ward off a sudden chill. A slow tremble started at her core and grew in intensity as it rumbled into her arms and legs. A cold sweat flushed her entire body.

Seeing her struggle, Deke asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I’m not sure. Can’t s-stop shaking.”

He bent low to peer into her eyes before pressing a hand against her cheek. “Shock. I’m taking you to the hospital.”

“No, p-please. I’ll go home and take it easy for the rest of the day.”

“That’s not how shock works. You of all people should know.”

“I can’t stomach the thought of sitting in the ER, waiting forever for a doctor, only to be told I need to lie down for a while.” All she wanted to do was curl into his arms and close her eyes.

His jaw hardened before he turned to unlock his apartment door.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“Don’t. I already regret my decision.” He lifted her in his arms and settled her onto his couch. The moment he released her, disappointment stabbed her heart.

He stashed a couple pillows beneath her feet, then drew a soft throw from the back of the couch to cover her from head to toe. Warmth penetrated the chill that had taken hold of her body. She burrowed deeper into her haven.

“How d-do you know so much about shock?”

“Lots of experience.”

Sitting beside her, he rubbed her arms and legs until her shivering subsided.

“You’re right,” she said.

“Never doubted it.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “About what?”

God, she loved that smile. “About me understanding shock.” She tucked the blanket under her chin. “I’ve studied it. I’ve seen it. But I’ve never experienced it. I don’t think I really understood the seriousness of shock until today. So odd. How it hit me after everything had settled down.”

“Shock affects people in different ways. It took a while for it to penetrate that hard head of yours.”

“Is that any way to speak to a sick person?”

“I noticed you’re not denying it.”

“Because I’m too sick to argue, muttonhead.”

“Muttonhead?”

“Suits you, I think.”

His playfulness vanished. “Feeling better?”

“Yes, thank you. Sorry for—” she waved her hand down her blanketed body, “—this.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I should be apologizing to you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

They grinned at each other before he threw out the first salvo. “Why were you waiting for me?”

“I needed to talk.”

“About what?”

“Something I discovered.”

“Evie—”

“I’m not sure I’m in the right frame of mind to discuss such a heady topic.”

“Would ice cream help?”

“Depends on the flavor.”

“Butter pecan, of course.” He strode to the kitchenette and pulled out a quart of ice cream from the freezer. “How many scoops?”

“Two, please.” She closed her eyes, finding her equilibrium and enjoying Deke’s coddling. “I wouldn’t have pegged you for butter pecan.”

“Why not?”

“You seem more like the chocolate fudge or rocky road type.”

“More manly?”

She chuckled. “I suppose.”

He held out a coffee mug with a spoon sticking out of two mounds. “I suspect there’s a lot of things about me that would surprise you.”

“A day ago, I would have said nothing about you could surprise me.”

“Am I that boring?”

“Hardly.” She jammed her spoon into her ice cream, breaking it up. “I’ve been studying you for over a decade.”

His spoon halted halfway out of his mouth while his piercing gaze roamed over her features. She’d learned a long time ago how to bury the emotional turmoil his presence often caused. Before she opened herself up to him again, she needed answers.

“I noticed you’re not wearing your sling. Have you settled back in at the office?”

“Somewhat.” He nodded toward her cup of ice cream. “You gonna eat that or play with it?”

The pivot. Sorry, big guy, but I won’t let you redirect my attention.

“It’s called foreplay.” She swirled her spoon around, making the ice cream softer and softer. “What project are you working on?”

“Nothing new. Trying to get caught up on some admin stuff first.”

She had to give him credit. He tried not to out-and-out lie. Some guys got off on crafting the most outlandish tales to make themselves look good. Deke did the opposite by downplaying the importance of his work.

Even with the rush of sugar in her veins, Evie found herself fighting off fatigue. She wanted to oust his secret, wanted him to confide in her. But the landing incident was sapping her strength, second by second.

Her eyes jerked open when he removed the cup from her lax fingers.

“Don’t even think about eating my icth kweam.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

Her body gave up its fight and floated down a stream of security and comfort.