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“I’m sure it will be on the news.”
    â€œNot if we don’t give them any information.” Britt tugged at her hospital gown. “Would you mind going to my apartment and getting me a change of clothes? By then I should be through with the tests and able to leave.”
    â€œYou got it.” Her mother kissed her forehead. “Try not to worry. There’s no way Phil can take Dillon.”
    Britt sincerely hoped that was true.
    For the next hour she underwent tests, but they didn’t find anything and the doctor finally released her, telling her to check with her own doctor if she had any problems. Her mother came back with her clothes and Britt quickly dressed. Determined to avoid reporters, she told her mother to pull the car to the front entrance instead of the E.R. That way she could dodge the press. The last thing she wanted was having her picture in the papers.
    â€œHere’s your wheelchair,” the nurse said.
    â€œNo, that’s fine.”
    The woman scowled. “I’m sorry. It’s policy and—”
    â€œI really can walk. I don’t want to face any newspeople and I don’t want any media attention.”
    Something in her voice must have gotten to the nurse. She chewed on her lip. “I’ll take you out a back way.” She held up a finger. “But in a wheelchair.”
    Britt nodded, grateful for her help.
    The ride was short. The nurse stopped at a door. “This will take you to the front entrance.”
    â€œThank you. I appreciate it.”
    â€œJust stay out of rising waters,” the woman replied with a smile.
    Britt nodded and opened the door. She stopped as she saw a group down the hall. Quinn was dressed in dark slacks and a white shirt, and a different tall blonde washugging him. Had to be Deidre. Evidently she’d forgiven him. Quinn’s sister and her sheriff stood to the side.
    Britt’s eyes were glued to Quinn’s tall lean frame. Her heart pounded against her ribs as she said another silent goodbye to the man who had risked his life to save hers.
    Why were the good ones always taken?

Chapter Four
    During the next couple of days Britt spent a lot of time filling out papers for her insurance company, getting a new driver’s license and reporting lost credit cards. The company rented her a car until all the paperwork was finalized and approved.
    Every morning she seemed to find a new ache or pain. Her body had taken a beating in the water, but each day she felt better and stronger. Strong enough to face Phil in court.
    She met with her lawyer, Mona Tibbs, and Mona assured her they had nothing to worry about. It was just another at tempt of Phil’s to scare her into returning to him. After talking to Mona, Britt felt optimistic. Returning to Phil wasn’t an option.
    All through the busyness and worry, Britt thought often of Quinn. He lived in Austin, but she didn’t even know his last name. She’d like to send him a thank-you, a gift of some sort. And she had to admit she’d like to see him again. Maybe Phil hadn’t destroyed all her trust in men.
    The temperature hovered in the forties on the day of the hearing. Her mother was coming into Austin to sit with Dillon while Britt was at the hearing. When her doorbell rang, Britt knew who it was, so she ran to let her mother in. She was surprised to see her grandmother, too.
    â€œI’ve decided to go with you,” her mother informed her. “Mama will stay with Dillon.”
    â€œThere’s no need.” Britt tried to reassure her. “Mona says it will take only a few minutes. Phil doesn’t have a leg to stand on. A judge hardly ever takes a child away from a loving mother.”
    â€œStill, I’d feel better if you weren’t alone.”
    â€œMom…” Britt didn’t get to voice her complaint as Onnie pushed passed her to the small kitchenette.
    â€œDo you have any beer?” her