“He looks good,” Edison said. “It’s a good thing you found him when you did. You kept him warm and awake. Could have been a lot worse.”

Brick doubted that she was aware of doing it, but Remi had sagged back against his legs. It helped loosen the tightness in his chest.

“Is this any worse than previous attacks?”

“Ha. Walk…in the park,” she joked. But her labored breathing was like razor blades in Brick’s gut.

“Don’t have your rescue inhaler on you?” the paramedic asked, as if it wasn’t colossally irresponsible of her not to be carrying it. Brick’s fingers curled into fists. There was a time for bedside manner and there was a time to lay down the law.

Her shoulders tensed, and she shook her head. “I didn’t bring it. I’m…fine,” she insisted. “I can wait…until I…get back.”

Brick met Edison’s eyes and shook his head.

“All the same to you, Remi,” Edison said. “I’d sure feel better if you’d let me treat you here. You don’t want me having to face the wrath of your mom, now do you?”

“She is…terrifying,” she agreed weakly.

“Then let’s get some albuterol in you, and we’ll go from there. It’s too bad you don’t have your rescue inhaler on you,” he said, pulling a nebulizer out of his bag.

“Ah, shit,” Remi croaked, pressing her hands into her knees.

“You know the drill,” Edison said.

* * *

The paramedic left Brick to supervise Remi while he checked on Ben’s condition. Brick stayed where he was, supporting her from behind as she took slow breaths that fogged the mask. He couldn’t seem to stop his own fingers from toying with her hair. She’d pulled it back in a long tail at the base of her neck.

In less than five minutes, her breathing was easier, and she ripped off the mask.

“Remi, I swear to God if you don’t—”

“How’s my other favorite patient?” Edison interrupted. He took out his stethoscope again and listened to her chest. “You’re going to need to get looked over by the doc. And it’s a real small island, so I’m gonna know if you don’t go straight there.”

“She’ll go,” Brick promised.

She looked up at him and frowned. He gave her hair a tug.

With Ben swaddled in thermal blankets and strapped to a sled, Brick gave the signal, and the EMTs packed up.

“We’re set to head out. Want a ride, Remi?” Edison offered, patting the back of his snowmobile. “I can take you straight to the med center.”

“She’s riding with me,” Brick snapped.

The paramedic threw him a salute and started up his machine.

Remi hadn’t argued with him, which added concern to his roiling temper. He boosted her onto Cleetus’s back with a hand on her ass.

“You need a keeper,” he said, climbing up behind her.

“We both know…you’re not volunteering,” she shot back through chattering teeth. She was holding herself stiffly away from him, shivering in the thermal blanket they’d given her since her coat was soaked through.