Guarding The Babies. Sandra Robbins

      He glared up at her. “As if you’re not.”

      The nurse rearranged the blanket over him and smiled. “Is there anything else I can get for you right now?”

      Cole shook his head. “Just a get-out-of-jail-free card if you happen to have one.”

      She laughed and shook her head. “I’m afraid I don’t have that, but I can bring you something to eat.”

      He shook his head. “I’m not hungry.”

      Holly bent down and stared in his face. “It’s late afternoon now. Did you have lunch today?”

      “No.”

      “Well then, you need to eat something.” She turned to the nurse. “Can you get him a sandwich or maybe some soup?”

      The nurse smiled. “I’ll be glad to see what we have.”

      Cole raised himself up on his elbows and glared at Holly. “I told you I don’t want...”

      She smiled. “Oh, quit being a grouch. All we want to do is help you.”

      The nurse nodded. “That’s right, Detective Jackson. Miss Lee hasn’t left your side since you were brought in. You’re fortunate to have someone who cares about you like that.”

      He looked up at Holly, and his heart thudded. “W-we’re old friends,” he finally said. “We’ve known each other since we were children.”

      “Well, it’s good to have a friend like that.” Then she turned and walked to the door. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

      They watched her go, and then Holly looked back down at him. “Is there anything I can get for you? Another blanket or a drink of water?”

      He shook his head. “No, thanks. I’m fine. I don’t need any help,” he grumbled.

      She bit her lip and sat back down in the chair beside the bed. The silence between them grew heavy, and with each breath he took, he regretted the angry tone in his voice. He’d always been able to tell when she was sad. He could see it in the way her shoulders slumped now. And he had done that.

      As he lay there watching her, she turned her head and stared out the window. Last night, she had asked him to be her friend again, and he had refused. The truth was that he wanted that friendship back more than anything he’d wanted in a long time. A bond had been forged between them years ago, and being away from each other for the past few years hadn’t destroyed that. He doubted if anything ever would. The plans they’d had as teenagers hadn’t come to pass, but they could still be there for each other. Just like she was for him right now.

      “Holly,” he whispered.

      She wiped at her eyes before she turned back to face him. “What?”

      “I’m really glad you’re here.”

      Her chin trembled. “I’m glad I’m here, too. I’m so sorry you were hurt today because of me.”

      He frowned and shook his head. “It wasn’t your fault. You had no idea someone was going to follow you to the store to try to kidnap the twins.”

      “I know, but I knew we’d had a break-in last night. And I knew better than to come to Jackson Springs without security in the first place. If I had planned better, none of this would have happened.”

      “You don’t know that,” he said.

      “I do,” she protested. “You know I’ve always been bound and determined to do everything my way. Well, I did, and it almost proved disastrous for Emma and Ethan.”

      He turned on his side so that his body was facing her and reached for her hand. “You can’t blame yourself for this. I know you’ve been through some frightening experiences since you’ve been in town, but I’m going to do everything in my power to see that nothing happens to you or those children as long as you’re here.”

      She smiled, and his stomach clenched at how beautiful she was. “Thank you, Cole. I appreciate that.”

      He cleared his throat and tightened his grip on her hand. “And, Holly, I’m sorry I refused your offer of friendship last night. I realize now that we’ll always be friends and have each other’s best interests at heart.”

      She stared at him for a moment before she spoke. “Yes, Cole. We will.” She let her gaze drift over his face, and then she smiled. “It’s good to see you. I’ve missed you.”

      “I’ve missed you, too, Holly.”

      They didn’t say anything else, and Cole knew there was no need for words. A lot had happened to both of them in the ten years since they’d parted, and they weren’t those two young people who had once loved each other. But it felt so good to have his friend back, and he was never going to lose touch with her again.