MINI BOOT
Book Four in the Boot Series
She's newly engaged. Raising a toddler. Planning to lead the next generation of cops.
And the streets of Los Angeles aren't slowing down for any of it.
Between crime scenes and coaching little league,
and Ser...
Tim tried to sit up again, gritting his teeth against the stabbing pain that shot through his lower back.
"It's probably just a muscle spasm," he muttered, waving a dismissive hand toward Hazel. "You should get back out there and find the guy putting this hospital in lockdown."
Hazel folded her arms, a knowing look on her face. "I'm not leaving you, we're married now."
Just then, Lucy pushed through the curtain, her expression alert but relaxed. "Hey. Just checking rooms for bad guys."
Tim squinted. "Wait-so Nolan's leaving someone on every floor?"
Lucy shrugged. "Yes. We've been cops for more than ten seconds. We can handle this."
"Mm." Tim winced again just as a middle-aged doctor pulled back the curtain. He carried a tablet and a no-nonsense tone.
"Hey, Doc," Tim said, trying to sound casual through clenched teeth. "What's the word?"
The doctor stepped closer. "So, when we took that bullet out a few years ago, there was a fragment that was too complicated to remove."
"I remember," Tim said, jaw tightening.
Hazel turned toward him sharply. "Oh my God. Back on my first day-when I saved your life. That's been inside you this whole time?"
"Back to the fragment," Tim said, dodging the emotion in her voice.
The doctor nodded. "The pain you're experiencing is because the fragment has migrated. It's pressing up against a nerve near your spinal column."
Hazel's grip on the bed rail tightened.
"We'll need to do surgery to remove it."
Tim gave a short nod. "Okay. When?"
"Wait," Hazel said, stepping in. "Hold on. What are the risks?"
The doctor's tone was calm but honest. "We're talking about the spine, so yes-there's risk. But it's laparoscopic. If all goes well, he'll be home by dinner."
Hazel's brows furrowed. "If?"
"I know it's scary," the doctor said. "But leaving the fragment where it is? Much riskier long-term."
Tim exhaled slowly. "Well, then we do the surgery. Thank you."
The doctor nodded and stepped away to begin prepping orders. Lucy gave Hazel a quick glance and murmured, "I'll get back to the search," before slipping away with practiced efficiency.
Left alone for a moment, Hazel moved to Tim's bedside. She slid her fingers into his and held on.
He met her gaze-calm but exhausted-and still trying to make light of everything. That was always his way.
She gave him a soft smile, laced with quiet worry. "We've got this."
Tim squeezed her hand. "Yeah. We do."
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