Laini

“I’ll stay with her,” Maude interrupted, just before
Grier could say the same thing.
“You can’t. Not in intensive care. You can see her three
times a day, for no more than ten minutes each time,” he
added firmly. “It’s too serious. She has to be kept quiet.
No upsets.”
Judd looked as if he’d die trying not to snap at the surgeon. But he finally just nodded defeatedly.
Coltrain put a rough hand on his shoulder. “Don’t borrow trouble. Take it one hour at a time. You’ll get through this.”
“Think so?” Judd asked heavily.
“I know so. I’ll keep a close watch on her. Try not to
worry.” He nodded to the others and went back down the
hall.
Judd looked at the other three people with him. “I’m
glad you’re all here. But if anybody gets into that room,
even for a minute, it’s going to be me,” he said shortly.
Cash looked inclined to argue, but the expression on
Judd’s face made him back down.”
― Diana Palmer, Lawless

“She’s going to be fine,” he told Judd, clapping him on the shoulder. “It’s just a matter of time, now. You can stop holding your breath.”

Judd thanked him and then went down the hall and leaned against the wall trying to compose himself. He’d been in hell for so long that the relief was devastating. She would live. She was going to live. He brushed away the
quick moisture in his eyes.

Cash came up beside him, a question in his eyes.
“She’s going to make it,” Judd said huskily.
“Thank God,” Cash said with heartfelt relief.
“What about Clark?” he asked suddenly, having only
just remembered the man.
“Patched up and in jail, probably for the rest of his life
after the trial,” Cash assured him. He was watching the
other man closely. “I think you should know what Tippy
told me,” he added, hating to reveal it even now. It meant
an end to all his own hopes.
“Yes?” Judd prompted.
“She saw Clark step out and aim the gun at you. She
didn’t have time to react, and neither did Crissy. She said
Crissy realized you wouldn’t be able to save yourself, and
she deliberately stepped out in front of the gun.”
Judd’s intake of breath was audible.
“Tippy was devastated when she saw it,” he continued.
“She said she felt ten kinds of a fool for the trouble she’d
caused between the two of you, when she knew how much
Crissy cared.” He shook his head. “I wouldn’t have told
you if Crissy had died. But you should know. I’ll go call
Maude and give her the good news.”
He turned and walked away. Judd stood there like a
statue, absorbing the statement with a feeling of utter humility. Christabel had taken the bullet meant for him.
She’d been willing to give her own life to save him. He’d
never dreamed she cared so much. He was absolutely
without words. Now he had to find a way to rebuild the
bridges he’d burned. It wasn’t going to be easy.”
― Diana Palmer, Lawless

“Get that son of a bitch to jail,” he said
through his teeth, “before I kill him!”
His eyes were testimony enough to the intent of the
statement. He’d forgotten law, duty, honor, everything, in
the grip of the worst fear he’d ever felt. If she died, he
would be lawless. Nothing would matter to him in the
world, ever again, except revenge.”
― Diana Palmer, Lawless

“I’ve done some stupid things. I don’t like myself very much right now.” She shrugged. “Did you see what she did?” she added heavily. “She stepped right in front of the gun. She saw it coming. She didn’t even hesitate. She must…love him very
much,” she added, almost choking on the words.
“She does,” he agreed, feeling the words and hating them.
She glanced at him curiously. “You’re in love with her,
aren’t you?”
“If I am, it’s nobody’s business except my own,” he told
her flatly.”
― Diana Palmer, Lawless