“East,” Graham murmured. “You’re growling.”

Maybe. But not at Jessie per se, just in his former client’s general direction. Jessie shot him an amused look. “Man, you really have it bad, don’t you? Well, get used to it. This is her life. People want to know what she’s up to.”

Easton found River in her room, sitting up with the controller in her hand. The television was on mute, but it was obvious what she was watching. Already film of Easton pushing his way into the hospital played on repeat.

“Welcome to the insanity,” she quipped, sounding embarrassed. “Feel free to run screaming.”

Since the railing was dropped, Easton sat on the edge of her bed. “Jessie says that people want to know what’s happening to you.”

“They also want to have a commentary about it too. Look on the bright side. The more of a fuss they cause, the more buzz they’re building about the town. Maybe the tourism board will pay us after all.”

Easton took her face in his hand, stealing the controller away from her fingers. “You need to rest. The last thing you need is to be worrying about all this.”

“I’m not.” She hesitated.

Tilting his head to catch her eye, Easton stroked his thumb down her cheek. “You sure?”

“I’m not worried. I just feel bad about them coming here. The town’s going to be upset.”

“The town can deal,” Easton said firmly. “Graham’s the mayor. He can handle those idiots. They’re his payback for not giving you your filming permits.”

“Oh, he’ll hate it.”

She wrapped her arms around him, pulling Easton down to her. Careful not to crowd her, he settled in to steal those giggling lips.

“We need to talk,” he told her before things grew too heated.

“Four words that are never a good sign. Do we have to? I’m liking the not talking.”

Easton squeezed her hand before pressing a kiss to the inside of her wrist. “Me too. For the sake of more of the same, what’s it going to take to make all those people go away?”

“Honestly?” Pursing her lips, River thought a moment. “I probably need to make a statement to the press. Preferably from right here. If they get the good stuff, I have a better shot of being left alone long enough to get back home.”

“If that’s what you want, I’m not going to argue,” he told her. “But I hate the idea of letting those vultures anywhere near you.”

“The protective growl is cute.” She kissed him again. “You should do that more often. And this more often.”

It was impossible not to. Settling back in, Easton was more than happy to distract her until suddenly River pulled away, a horrified expression on her face. “I’m going on camera. In front of the world. Minus a toe.”