Wild Men of Alaska Collection - By Helmer, Tiffinie Page 0,103

serious injuries. Everyone, nurses, doctors, EMTs, and troopers all commented on how lucky she was.

Lucky.

She couldn’t help thinking that if she were truly lucky, she’d be with Lucky right now. Despair over Cub’s condition and her own, settled over her as she sat in the waiting room for an update on Cub.

How could she have thoughts like that when Cub was probably in there fighting for his life?

After the troopers had taken her statement of the accident, she’d called and reassured Siri and Rosie that she was okay. Siri wasn’t concerned as she’d already “felt” that Gemma was fine. Rosie told her to keep them posted on Cub’s condition.

Dr. Macalister, announced by his name tag, entered the waiting room wearing green scrubs and the classic white lab coat. He looked to be in his fifties, trim, of average height, with auburn hair, split heavily with silver. He also sported a pierced ear where a diamond winked.

Gemma stood, surprised when the action made her dizzy.

“Careful, there, Ms. Star,” he said, grabbing her arm to steady her. “Take your time standing. You’ve suffered an ordeal that will be feeling itself physically for a few days now.”

“Call me, Gemma. How’s Cub?”

“Here, let’s take a seat.” He steered her back to the chair she’d been planted in and took the one beside her. “He’s actually doing great. Strong man, your Mr. Iverson.”

She didn’t correct him. As soon as they realized she wasn’t a family member, or significant other, the information train would stop.

“As far as we can tell, there isn’t anything wrong with him. He’ll be bruised and sore when he wakes up. Head injuries are tricky things. His CAT scan came back normal. Minimal swelling, so we expect him to wake soon.”

“Can I see him?”

“What the fuck, man.” Lucky pushed at Cub’s unmovable chest. “Get back there. She’s crying at your bedside.”

“It isn’t me she wants.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” He’d sacrificed everything. “I gave her up for you. So that you could be together. So she wouldn’t be alone. Now move your sorry ass.”

Cub took in the view around him, obviously stunned by the beauty. Lucky was tired of people enthralled with this place. “I want to stay here.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Gemma wasn’t losing two men she cared about. “No way. There is nothing wrong with you.”

“Yes, there is. My heart belongs with my wife. I thought I could move on and hopefully share a life with Gemma.” Cub shook his head. “But not now. Not with this chance to be with the one woman who I’ve always loved.” Cub looked around like she’d appear at any moment.

“It doesn’t work like that,” Lucky muttered. A softening in his heart lessened his anger. This man was as lovesick as he was. “You’re in Limbo, dude. You’re wife isn’t here. She’s on the other side of here, and if you choose to enter that place, there will be no going back.” He was still here because he couldn’t make that final choice. He’d done his best to keep his distance from Gemma. It tortured him as she cried his name, sobbed until her body could no longer weep. The only thing keeping him from saying the hell with it all was this man. Cub-fucking-Iverson. He was supposed to be the white knight. He’d proved he had the right stuff, the way he’d saved Gemma from being hurt in the accident. But what was this shit? “How could you want any other woman besides Gemma?”

“Gemma is wonderful, and without this opportunity I was going to give romancing her my best shot. But as much as you care for Gemma, I care for my wife.”

“You’re choosing to die. You get that, right?”

Cub met his eyes, and all Lucky could see was hard resolution. “I want to be with my wife. Take my body, and be with Gemma.”

“Whoa? What?” It was like the very fabric of the Universe held still. “What are you saying?”

“She’s coming for me.” A smile lit Cub up from the inside. “I can feel her.” His very spirit began to glow a golden hue. “I don’t have long. And my body will be wasted if you don’t take it.”

“I can’t do that,” Lucky whispered, though he so badly wanted to. Didn’t even know it was an option. Maybe it wasn’t an option. Were they messing with things that would backfire in a really bad way? A fire and brimstone kind of way?

“No, Lucky,” Hansen said, appearing from wherever he’d