The paramedic looked at him and gave a wry grin. “No hero, you’ve been shot but you will be fine. It’s not bad at all.” He palpitated Jacob’s arm and quickly found the spot. He felt no bullet and deemed him clear, beginning to clean and put pressure on the wound.
Jacob looked down at his left arm, which now hurt like hellfire. He could see the small entrance hole in his sleeve and it looked wet. He barely felt it when the bullet hit and honestly felt more like a bee sting due to the adrenaline that was pulsing through him. He was so glad this was all over and felt bad for the young man, hoping he didn't kill him. That part of his job he had a tough time dealing with, he knew it was necessary but it didn't make it any easier. He just hoped Christian was going to be okay.
They finished clearing the bank; stretchers were brought in and wheeled out Christian first and then the unknown assailant. Jacob did not recognize the man whatsoever and usually he at least could place their face, if he didn't know the family name. Jacob refused the stretcher but said he would join Christian in the ambulance for treatment.
As he walked outside, he was a bit perturbed at the sight of the news crews and the crowd that was gathered. Max was in the process of escorting him out, when Max grabbed his right arm and held it high, eliciting a cheer from the crowd. He didn't want any recognition; he was only doing his job and jerked his arm back down. As he walked over to the ambulance, Graham tapped on his shoulder. Jacob turned and saw Millie’s ashen face behind Graham. He had escorted her over so she could see that he was okay. Jacob gathered her tightly in his good arm and held her.
Millie clung to him tightly. She was so thankful he seemed to be all right. She had been terrified when Officer Graham had come to get her from the crowd and escorted her through the barricades to where they were exiting the building. Millie had insisted that Danielle come with her, in case she needed support. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw his face come through the doorway and she did not see him on the gurney.
Danielle however had moved over to the gurney and was looking strangely at the fallen officer that was being treated. She took his hand and followed into the ambulance without a second look to Millie and the surrounding environment.
Danielle felt she was needed and had so many questions to ask, when she had seen who was on the gurney. She could not believe Christian had returned and was stunned by his fatigued appearance. He did not look like the boy she had seen climb onto the recruitment bus all those years ago.
Jacob held Millie for quite some time beside the ambulance as Christian was loaded into the first one. A second one arrived and loaded the other wounded man. A paramedic came to escort him to the ambulance for treatment but Jacob would have none of it.
Jacob dropped to his knees in front of Millie and the now silent crowd. “Baby, I intended to do this for some time now and when I was in there, all I could think of was you,” he said thickly, his hand held hers and he could feel her shaking. Her lovely eyes were watering as she smiled lovingly at him.
“I thought of us, thought of our life we are building together and thought of the baby we have been working on making,” he said smiling and kissed her flat stomach. You could hear a pin drop; it was so silent outside as the group gathered to see the activity at the bank now listened to each word.
“I was so scared something would happen and I would not be able to return to you and I cannot imagine my life without you. I don't have a ring yet,” he chuckled brokenly “but I hope you understand? I want you for my wife more than the air I am breathing and more than the blood I’m losing,” he said smiling wryly. This drew a laugh from the surrounding onlookers that could hear him.
Jacob drew out his handcuff keys and wiggled them. “You have stolen my heart, Millicent Clark, and I want you to have my name, my love. Will you do me the greatest honor of becoming my wife?” he asked, slipping the small circle holding the handcuff keys onto her ring finger. “I will replace it with something sparkly since I am going to need those back,” he said with a smile.
Millie was overjoyed. He was the most romantic man and was perfect for her. She could not believe he was here, proposing in front of everyone and honestly could not think of a more romantic way for him to have asked her. She looked at the surroundings and looked at his loving face. She could not imagine life without him and had been so scared he would not come out of the building alive.
She heard the crowd yelling and chanting, “Say, yes! Say, yes!” as she saw the news crews filming everything. “Oh, yes,” she said. “Yes, I would be proud to be your wife,” she said through tears of joy as the crowd roared to life in applause. “Now get in the damn ambulance before you make me a widow,” she said authoritatively.
“Yes, ma’am. Only if you come with me?” he said grinning from ear to ear. She had said yes and was going to be his wife. He was so proud and happy as he looked at her beautiful, pale face.
Millie smiled back at him, his grin infectious. “Yes, Officer Hunter. You are never getting rid of me,” and swatted his backside as he climbed in the ambulance, much to the crowd’s delight. She climbed in behind him and sat beside him, feeling like Cinderella in a strange, strange pumpkin. Life with him was a fairytale and she truly loved her prince.
Ginny Sterling is a Texas transplant living in Kentucky. She spends her free time (Ha!) writing, quilting, spending time with her husband and two children. Ginny can be reached on Facebook or via email at [email protected]
Stolen Hearts (Thoroughbred Men Book 2) Page 13