Christmas Amnesia

by Laura Scott

  Arvani’s upper lip curled with derision and he brought his gun up, aiming at Noah. No! Maddy surged to her feet, intending to rush forward, hoping to disarm him when he turned and shot at her instead of Noah.

  The slug hit her in the chest dead center over her heart. Despite being protected in part by the bulletproof vest, she heard a distinct crack of a broken bone. The force of the blast knocked her off her feet. She fell to the ground, pain spreading through her chest as she fought to fill her lungs with oxygen.

  A red haze of pain clouded her vision and she felt completely, utterly helpless. Being shot even while wearing a vest hurt! More than she’d thought possible.

  Her head jerked up as Noah fired again, this time hitting Lance Arvani in the head. The Chicago cop fell straight back like a tree hitting the forest floor.

  She put a hand to her chest, still fighting the pain. Every breath was painful, a sharp stabbing sensation. Was it possible that a shot to the chest could cause a heart attack? Because that was how it felt.

  Noah turned to help Matt apprehend the others. Duchess did her part, chasing after one guy who’d taken off toward the rear of the warehouse. It didn’t take long for the dog to catch him, taking him down with a flying leap and then standing on top of him, her jaws open across his throat.

  Matt glanced at Maddy, and she gave him a reassuring nod. He went after his partner, throwing cuffs on the wrists of the man Duchess had apprehended.

  Noah was securing a short guy with bright red hair. “Jackson Dellis, you’re under arrest for attempting to shoot a police officer.”

  The door to the warehouse burst open and more cops swarmed in, their weapons held ready. Maddy scooted over to the side of the hallway, trying to stay out of their way. Her chest ached so bad she didn’t think she could stand under her own power.

  “Are you all right?” Noah asked, coming over to kneel beside her, his brown eyes dark with concern.

  She tried to nod, grimaced. “Hurts,” she managed. Thinking about the way Noah had run after being shot in the back of his vest filled her with admiration. She couldn’t do anything but lie there, struggling to breathe.

  “We need paramedics,” Noah said in a sharp tone.

  An unexpected gunshot echoed through the room. Noah’s reaction was to throw himself over her body as an added protection.

  Her head hit the concrete with a loud crack.

  And then there was nothing but darkness.

  SEVENTEEN

  What was going on? Who’d discharged their weapon? One of the cops who’d responded to the call?

  Noah lifted his head in time to see Matt take out the perp who’d taken that last shot. The gunman was dressed head to toe in black, his face hidden behind a scruffy beard. The guy howled and dropped to the ground, holding his hands over his belly. He must have been hiding, because Noah had been certain they’d secured the area.

  His heart thundered in his chest. That had been far too close.

  The rest of the police officers who’d arrived on the scene spread out in an effort to make sure they hadn’t missed anyone else.

  Noah lifted himself off Maddy. “Sorry about that. Are you okay?”

  Maddy didn’t move and a sharp stab of fear lanced his heart.

  “Maddy?” he called, trying again. Her face was pale, her eyes were closed and it was difficult for him to tell if she was breathing. Panic hit hard. “We need that ambulance! Now!”

  “What’s wrong?” Matt finished cuffing the perp Duchess had chased down, then came over to kneel beside him.

  “I’m not sure,” Noah confessed. “She was awake and talking, but now she’s out cold.” He placed his fingers along the side of her neck searching for a pulse, only slightly reassured when he found the weak, rapid beat.

  “The ambulance just pulled up.” The officer who spoke wore a nametag that identified him as Jennings.

  “Tell them ADA Callahan needs attention.” Noah glanced down again at Maddy’s motionless face. “Maddy? Can you hear me?”

  Still nothing. He took a deep breath, lowered his head and prayed.

  Dear Lord, please heal Maddy’s injuries and keep her safe in Your care!

  “Was she shot?” Matt asked, pushing her sweatshirt out of the way and running his fingertips over the material of the vest. His hand stopped when he found the slug. “She took one right over the center of her chest. Let’s get this thing off, make sure she’s not bleeding.”

  Noah assisted in removing the Velcro straps to remove the vest. Thankfully Maddy wore a T-shirt underneath. There was no sign of blood, but he knew only too well how being hit in the vest at close range could still cause serious harm. What if somehow the bullet had managed to damage her heart or her lungs?

  Two paramedics pushed their way through the crowd of cops, heading toward them. Matt rose to his feet, gesturing for them to come closer. Noah didn’t let go of Maddy’s hand, afraid that if he did she’d slip away.

  “Hang in there, Maddy. I’m here and so is Matt. Hang in there, understand?”

  She didn’t respond to his running commentary, and that only worried him more. She had to be okay. She just had to!

  The thought of living his life without her made his eyes grow damp. He didn’t do relationships, hadn’t wanted to hurt anyone the way he’d hurt Gina, but his heart hadn’t listened to his head.

  He’d fallen in love with Maddy Callahan.

  “There’s a small lump on the back of her head,” one of the paramedics said. “She may have a brain injury.”

  “She was hit on the head a few days ago, but that was along her right temple,” Noah said with a frown.

  “This one is dead center on the back of her head. She may have hit her head against the concrete.”

  Noah’s stomach knotted and he forced himself to look at Matt. “I did this,” he said in a hoarse tone. “I threw myself on top of her and must have knocked her head against the floor by accident!”

  “Hey, it’s okay,” Matt said reassuringly. “You were only trying to help. Besides, Maddy has a pretty hard head. I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

  Noah wanted to believe him. Guilt rose in the back of his throat, threatening to choke him, but he pushed it back and focused on the power of prayer.

  He desperately needed to believe Maddy would wake up. And God was the one who could make that happen.

  * * *

  Muffled voices pierced the darkness. While it was tempting to shut them out, melting back into the soft velvet blackness, she couldn’t shake off the sense of urgency.

  With a low moan, Maddy pushed past the pain in her head and her chest and tried to open her eyes.

  “Maddy?” The familiar scent of spicy aftershave helped bring the image of Noah’s concerned face into focus. “You’re awake!”

  She winced at the volume of his tone. “Yes,” she managed. “Water?”

  “Right here.” Noah’s voice was soft and gentle now. He slid his arm beneath her shoulder blades and held a cup to her lips. The cool water tasted amazing and she took several long sips. “Thanks.”

  “I’m so glad you’re awake,” Noah said, concern etched in his features. His appearance was ragged, dark stubble covered his cheeks and chin and his eyes were bloodshot. He looked as if he’d been awake for days. “I’ll get the doctor.”

  “Wait,” she said as understanding dawned. “I’m in the hospital? For how long?”

  “It’s almost noon on Thursday,” Noah informed her. “You’ve been in since late last night.”

  Good to know she hadn’t lost too much prep time. Well, other than what she’d already lost since Monday night when she’d left the courthouse and been assaulted. By Lance Arvani, she remembered now.

  “Arvani was the one who accosted me and threatened my mother and grandmother,” sh
e said. “I recognized his voice.”

  “He’s dead, so you don’t have to worry about him any longer,” Noah said. “And we’ve arrested Jackson Dellis, too. He’s not talking yet, but I’m sure he’ll break down eventually. I’d really like to know why he faked his death.”

  Images from the scene at the warehouse fluttered through her mind. “Maybe he tried to set you up.”

  Noah shrugged. “Anything’s possible. I’d better get the doctor. Your family should be here soon. They took a quick break for lunch.”

  “You stayed,” Maddy said, looking down at their joined hands. “Thank you, Noah.”

  “I’m sorry I caused you to hit your head again,” he said, averting his gaze. “I never wanted to hurt you.”

  He tried to pull away, but she tightened her grip, keeping him there. “You protected me from the very beginning,” she reminded him. “I owe you my life, Noah. Thank you.”

  “I almost killed you,” he corrected.

  She glared at him, even though it made her headache worse. “I’m pretty sure it was my own fault that Lance Arvani caught me and held me at gunpoint in the first place.” She lifted her hand to her chest, wondering how badly she was bruised. “Just accept my gratitude, would you? Please?”

  He slowly nodded. “Okay. Now can I get the doctor?”

  Her fingers reflexively tightened around his. She didn’t want to let him go.

  Not now. Not ever. But how to explain that she felt safe only when she was with him? That he was the only man she could tolerate being close to?

  The only man she wanted with her whole heart?

  There was a knock at her door, then it opened, revealing a tall, thin bald man wearing a lab coat. “Good morning, Ms. Callahan. I’m Dr. Eduardo and I’m glad to see you’re awake. How are you feeling?”

  “Fine,” she lied. The pounding behind her eyes was reminiscent of the first time she’d hit her head. But she knew the headache would fade in time. “How soon can I be discharged?”

  Dr. Eduardo’s eyebrows levered up. “Discharged? We’ll see how you’re feeling by tomorrow morning. I have a repeat CT scan scheduled for this afternoon. I want to be sure you don’t have any internal bleeding in your brain. And you may be interested to know you have a cracked rib.”

  The cracked rib wasn’t much of a surprise, but a repeat CT scan? Weird that she couldn’t remember the first one. “Okay, that’s fine, but if the scan is clear I’m leaving. I have a case going to trial on Monday.”

  Dr. Eduardo’s scowl deepened. “You need to rest and relax.”

  “And I will,” Maddy said. “After the trial.”

  He made a disgusted sound, then proceeded to examine her. By the time he’d finished, her family had returned from lunch. All of them.

  “Oh, Maddy.” Her mother’s eyes were suspiciously bright as Margaret Callahan rushed over to hug her. “I’m so glad you’re awake.”

  Her mother always smelled like chocolate-chip cookies, maybe because she was always making a new batch. Maddy kissed her cheek, then smiled at her mother and her grandmother, who came up to the other side of her bed. Nan, who loved to knit, held Marc and Kari’s seven-month-old son, Max, on her hip. The boy stuck his fist in his mouth, revealing several new teeth.

  “I’m glad you’re both safe,” Maddy said in a low tone. “The man who threatened you is dead, so there’s no need to worry.”

  “Worry? Me?” Her mother patted her arm. “I’ve never worried about myself, just my children. Especially since each one of you seems to be constantly in harm’s way. No more injuries, you hear me?”

  “At least I don’t have a bullet wound,” Maddy pointed out, trying to lighten things up.

  “Only because you were smart enough to be wearing a vest,” Matt said drily.

  Her twin, along with the rest of her brothers, crowded around. Paige and her daughter, Abby, stood next to Margaret. The baby, Max, wasn’t Marc’s biological son, but the way the Callahans fawned over him, you’d never know it. Both kids, Max and Abby, were well loved and welcomed with open arms.

  Her mother had found a way to speed up the process of getting the grandchildren she’d always wanted. Although Maddy knew she was literally counting the days until either Kari or Paige announced they were pregnant.

  “I’m fine, really,” she assured them. She looked for Noah, disappointed to see he’d stepped back, remaining near the doorway as if he didn’t belong. “Thanks to Noah. He saved my life more times than I can count.”

  Several Callahan heads swiveled in his direction and even from here she could see him blush from the intense attention.

  “Thanks, Sinclair,” Matt and Mike said at the same time. They glanced at each other and snickered.

  Maddy kept her gaze on Noah, silently asking him to come closer. He didn’t.

  Max squirmed and kicked so Nan handed him over to Marc. His wails grew louder.

  “Oh, dear, we’d better get Max home for a nap,” Kari said, taking her son into her arms.

  “Yes, we’ll need to head home, too,” Paige said.

  “I wouldn’t mind some rest,” Maddy said.

  “We’ll all go,” her mother agreed. “We’ll check back later, okay?”

  “Thanks, Mom.” It took several minutes for her family to file out of the room, and she couldn’t help but be thankful for the silence they left behind. She loved every one of them more than anything, but the ache in her head appreciated the quiet. When she saw Noah move toward the door, she called, “Wait.”

  He stopped, then turned toward her. “What is it?”

  “Please stay.” When she raised her hand, he stepped forward to take it. “I feel safer when you’re with me.”

  “Of course,” he said without hesitation.

  “Remember when you asked me if someone—a man—hurt me?” she asked.

  Noah went tense instantly knowing what she meant. “Yes.”

  “Thankfully I escaped, but it was a close call,” she admitted. “I’ve avoided men since the incident, except for you, Noah.”

  His expression softened and he bent down, gently pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I’m glad. Even though I want to break his face.”

  She smiled, filling her head with his woodsy scent. “He’s not worth the effort. But I do have a favor to ask.”

  “Anything.”

  His quick response warmed her heart. “Will you keep me company as I continue prepping for the trial?”

  “Absolutely. Although I want you to remain in the hospital overnight. No more taking chances with your health.”

  Tomorrow was Friday, which would leave only three days to get ready for the trial. She should continue preparing witnesses. There were several officers yet that she hadn’t worked with.

  The pain in her head intensified, making her realize that maybe she was about as ready as she needed to be.

  “I will if you stay with me,” she acquiesced.

  A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “You have a deal.”

  Maddy closed her eyes and felt every ounce of tension leave her body. With Noah at her side, she could face just about anything.

  * * *

  The three days before the trial passed in a blur. Maddy couldn’t work nonstop the way she normally did, and that only added to her frustration.

  Noah displayed infinite patience, and she knew she was fortunate to have him staying close to her side while she either slept or prepared for the trial. Since Maddy’s condo was still fire damaged, she and Noah moved to a motel not far from the courthouse, paid for by her boss, Jarrod Fine.

  Early Monday morning, Maddy woke up feeling better than she had since the warehouse shooting. Her rib still screamed at her if she moved too quickly, or coughed or sneezed, but the pain in her head had finally receded to a tolera
ble level.

  She dressed carefully in a red power suit and a black blouse, refusing to let Pietro know how close he’d come to achieving his goal of getting rid of her.

  “Wow,” Noah said as he emerged from his connecting room. His gaze held frank admiration. “You look amazing.”

  “So do you.” Noah wore a navy blue suit, white shirt and red tie. She’d rearranged her witness list so that Noah would be first to testify. It was good for her case, plus, she thought selfishly, he’d be free to sit in the courtroom once he’d finished testifying.

  For a moment she just stared at him. In the past few days she’d avoided personal conversations, forcing herself to focus on the trial. But at the moment, she couldn’t think of anything but how much Noah meant to her.

  She walked over to him, reaching up to straighten his tie, even though it wasn’t at all crooked. “Noah, once this trial is over, I’d like to see you again.”

  He seemed flabbergasted by her statement. “Um, you would?”

  His less than enthusiastic response wasn’t reassuring; still, she soldiered on. “I’d love for you to join me for church services followed by Sunday brunch with my family.”

  The tension eased from his body. “Oh, sure. That sounds great. In fact, you should know that I’ve been praying a lot recently.”

  “You have?” She was touched by the return of his faith. “I’m happy to hear that.”

  He reached up and brushed a stray hair off her cheek. “Mostly about you, Maddy. You keep saying I’ve saved your life, but in reality, you’ve saved mine, too. More than you realize.”

  “Oh, Noah.” She reached up and kissed him. For a moment he held her close, then he quickly let her go. She missed having his arms around her but stepped back, anxious to get to the courthouse. “We’ll talk further after the trial, okay?”

  “You and your deals,” he lightly teased.

  They pulled on their winter gear and walked outside. There was a hint of sunlight on the horizon, but the air was crisp and cold.