But she knew that, didn’t she? Unable to tolerate not seeing if someone was coming at her, she’d peeked around the edge of the boulder. Had seen the PZs spraying bullets. Could see Hawk lying flat and calmly shooting as if he was out for a lazy afternoon at a target range.

Under his fire, the militia men had staggered back, rifles dropping.

She’d watched them run.

They’d run.

“Need a hand?” The dark rasp cut across the memories.

She blinked. Swallowed. And reached up.

His big hand engulfed hers, the warmth wrapping around her icy fingers. He didn’t move. “Say when.”

She braced her ribs with her other arm. “Now.”

Carefully, slowly, he pulled her to her feet and gripped her waistband to steady her. “Okay?”

She looked up and met his calm, patient gaze. He’d tucked that violence away; only his concern for her remained. Unable to hold back, needing contact, she leaned against him. Still holding her hand, he didn’t even sway. He was all rock-hard muscles, broad shoulders, wide chest.

Her anchor. She could stay like this forever.

Instead, she pulled in a slow breath, stepped back, and managed to smile. “Thank you, Hawk.”

“Fuck,” he said under his breath, looking away.

He looked oddly disconcerted.

Well, that made two of them. She moved toward the forest. “Aric?”

“Caz’ll have him back in—”

And there was her boy, following the doc out of the forest. Aric saw her and charged forward, little legs pumping, and when he hit her legs like a rocket, she didn’t even care. He was all right.

She shed a few tears as she bent to hug him. “I love you, baby. Love you so much.”

Off to one side, the men were talking in low voices.

“Kit, time to get out of here.” Bull wiped blood off his face and caught her staring.

“Ricochet,” he said nonchalantly. “A few bullets hit my tree and sprayed me with bark.”

Dear heavens, the bullets could have hit him.

Don’t have hysterics. “You’re not going after them, are you?”

Bull shook his head. “No, we can’t leave you two here alone.”

Relief ran through her even as she puzzled it out. It would take one person to guard her and Aric—especially Aric—and another to shoot. And one person going after three didn’t sound wise, let alone how he’d get three wounded men out of the forest.

“Okay.” Her arms were refusing to let go of her boy. Reluctantly, she released him and straightened, and only then realized Hawk had his hand on her lower back. He’d been standing behind her the whole time, bracing her to keep her from being toppled over by Aric.

He took a step back, raising his hands as if he thought she might hit him.