“Are you all right?” Edward set her on the couch.

“Uh?” Caroline looked down at herself, still shaking. Her clothes had been ripped in a few places from the glass. There was a lot of blood though. “I think so. Someone shot into my office.”

He knelt in front of her as Holly brought over the first aid kit. “Caroline, I need you to focus. Can you do that? Just give all your attention to what I’m saying.” Edward’s voice was emotionless but also sharp enough to keep her on track. Vaguely she realized he was talking to her like she was in shock.

“The bullet hit the far wall.”

“Caroline, you have a lot of blood all over you.” He and Holly brushed over her hair and her upper body and glass went everywhere. “I just want to be sure you haven’t been really hurt.”

“You’re going to get glass all over the place.”

He smiled. “I think we can let it go this one time.”

The door burst open as police officers came in. Caroline recognized Matt Chase in his handsome blue uniform. He had one of those tackle-box things with a red cross on it, and she figured he probably did some sort of double duty as a paramedic when needed.

Holly took over as Edward got up and went to speak to the police.

“Will you call Royal please?” Caroline asked Holly. “If this gets to him before I can tell him, he’ll be worried sick and also mad.”

“As soon as Matt takes over I will. I promise.”

Which happened two breaths later.

“You’re a troublemaker, Caroline Mendoza.” But Matt Chase grinned as he said it. “I have an awful lot of troublesome females in my life as it is, so how about you stop getting shot at?”

He looked into her face, latching her gaze. “I need to be sure you didn’t get shot or injured from the glass in places I haven’t seen. Can you stand?”

“Yes. I’m freaked and shaky and really mad, but I don’t feel like I’ve been shot.” He helped her to her feet, and Holly stayed close, a steadying hand on her waist. “Not that I know what being shot feels like. I imagine it would not be fun. And probably that it would hurt enough to feel.”

Matt chuckled and touched her carefully as he looked her over. “You managed to miss getting shot.”

“Achievement unlocked.” She managed a thumbs-up.

“If your attitude is any indication, I think you’re going to be okay. I’d like to take you to the hospital. You’ve got a pretty nasty gash on your back and it might need stitches, but it certainly could stand getting cleaned up either way. I can only do so much here.”

“Holly can you tell Royal they’re taking me to the hospital but underline that I’m not dying or anything,” she called out weakly. Holly was apparently already speaking to Royal, and Caroline didn’t want to interrupt. Plus if she heard his voice right then she might cry. And badasses didn’t cry in public.

“I’ll take her right now.” Edward stepped closer. “Good thing your insurance kicked in already.” He winked and she groaned. “Matt will help us out to the car. The police have cordoned off your office but I managed to grab your bag for you.”

Holly came back over as they waited for the elevator. Justin had run down to bring Edward’s car around. “Royal will meet you at the hospital. Peter is going to cover your hearing this afternoon. He’ll get you rescheduled. Now go.”

Royal made it to the hospital in one piece and that was sort of a miracle given how fast he drove. The ranch was about equidistant to the hospital as downtown Petal so he figured he’d get there pretty soon after they did.

He’d come back to his house, grabbed his truck keys and rushed over. After parking, he ran from the parking lot into the main building, heading to emergency.

He saw Edward as he rounded a corner.

“They just took her in. Matt’s with her. He said she’d most likely need stitches in at least one place.”

“Thanks, Edward.” Royal held up a bag. “I brought her a change of clothes and some shoes. I thought she might appreciate it. Holly said her stuff got torn and bloodied. She likes to look neat. Caroline, I mean.”

Edward’s smile deepened. “Yes, the glass tore her up. She’ll appreciate it. You truly do love her, don’t you?”

“Huh? Well sure I do. There’s doubt?”

“I knew you when you were with Anne. And Anne is like one of our family so when you and Caroline got so close so fast, I admit I wondered. But every time I see you and see the way you look at her, I’m more and more convinced you two have something truly special and lasting. That you thought to bring her clothes, well that’s just proof to me I guess, that you care about her.”

Edward pointed to a room. “They’re in room B.”

Royal knocked and Matt opened. There was a drape pulled around where the exam table was. Because he needed to say something, to hear her voice and know she was all right, he spoke. “I brought clothes for Caroline.”

“Royal?” He heard the relief in her voice and he felt better too.

Matt held a hand up to stay Royal’s progress into the room. “Let us get her cleaned up and then I’ll call you. Okay?”

The room they were in was quite small so he stepped back. “I’ll be right out here, darlin’.”

“Okay.” Her voice was a little thready. Fighting off tears, he knew. Holding back the fear. Because that’s who she was.