priorities were at that time.”
Dani closed her eyes and absorbed the information, telling herself over and over again it would be okay, that Ty was there. He was fine. She opened her eyes and looked at him.
“You're okay?' she said, mostly to make herself feel better. He nodded, raised her hand to his lips, and gave her a gentle kiss.
“What about Cotter?” she asked, remembering with a start that she had come across him in the cave, unconscious and barely breathing.
“He's fine,” Ty answered, reaching out to stroke her hair. “He's down the hall. He was already regaining consciousness when we got to him in the cave. He's even been in here to check on you.”
“And everyone else?”
“Everyone is fine.” Ty said. “We got Getz and his men. We confiscated a lot of drugs and a lot of arms. Sonny and the Eagle's Wing group are all being held as well. I don't know the specifics because I've been a little preoccupied,” he gave her a half smile before continuing. “But, I know Drew is chomping at the bit to see you and he'll have more information.”
“But I let him get away, didn't I?” she repeated.
Ty pressed his lips together.
“I don't know, Dani,” he said. “Like I said, Drew will know more. I wish I had more to tell you, but I don't. I've been more concerned about you than Frey, but Drew will be here soon.”
“Jason and Karen and Andrew are all waiting, too,” Sammy jumped in. “I've had to kick them out more than once,” she added, her grip still tight on Dani's hand.
Dani looked at her sister. Looked at the face that mirrored her own yet seemed so different. There was always a kindness, a softness that Dani knew she didn't possess. Sammy's face was always welcome and open, ready with a quick smile, whereas Dani knew her own eyes communicated a distance, a warning to others to stay away. But still, she admitted to herself, while she couldn't have changed the events of all those years ago, she could have handled it differently. She could have talked to her sister or to Karen. She could have asked for help rather than turn it away every time it was offered.
Looking into her sister's face, Dani knew Sammy had been told about Frey. She could see it in her eyes. But she also knew neither Drew nor Ty would tell Sammy the whole story. And it was time that she and Sammy talked about it.
Dani switched her gaze to Ty and, as if reading her mind, he shook his head. “Dani, you're tired. You should rest.”
She didn't disagree but she needed to talk with her sister even more. “I need to, Ty,” was all she said. He studied her face for a long moment, then swore to himself and stood.
“Promise you won't push yourself,” he said, stroking her cheek.
She gave him a small, private smile and nodded.
“I'll be outside,” he said as he brushed his lips against hers and then again against her cheek, where he paused for a second. “Go easy on yourself,” he added as he was leaving.
“Dani?” Sammy prompted, concern etched on her face. Dani took a deep breath and answered.
* * *
Twenty minutes. That was how much time Ty decided he'd give Sam and Dani. He didn't doubt they needed more—Dani had years of memories to talk about—but it was all he was going to give them. Dani needed to rest. He'd never seen anyone who was so full of life, so ready to take on the world, look so pale. He couldn't keep his anxiety in check when he remembered finding her in that cave less than two days ago. Just thinking about it, and the intervening hours, caused his heart rate to kick up and he had to remind himself to take deep, calming breaths.
The breathing did get his pulse under control, but still, the niggling sense of panic he felt when he stepped away from Dani wouldn't leave. He knew he was acting like a mother hen but, as much as Dani needed to rest and be taken care of, he needed to know she would be okay. So he hovered by the door, not near enough to hear what the two women inside were saying, but close enough to hear the timber of Dani's voice.
It was there that the Carmichael family found him. Ty spotted Drew first and shoved aside his instinct to tell the man to go away. He