Tunnel of Love?
Perry had looked away as the women removed what undergarments they could. A couple of the men even gave up their shirts. Marsha Stevens and another lady, who Perry learned was Donna Parker, helped him take the tape off and carefully remove the soaked bandages.
When Perry saw the wound and the blood still seeping from it, his heart nearly stopped. He knew that if they didn't get help soon, he was going to lose this woman. As Della moaned, Perry kissed her forehead, whispering anything he could think of to keep her calm and still.
Once the two women had the compress replaced and tape again applied, they touched Perry's arm in a gesture of reassurance and then moved away to give the couple some semblance of privacy.
Perry continued to hold Della as close as he dared, soothing her hair back, stroking her arm. He noticed that her skin was cold to the touch, so he put his jacket over her, tucking it in as much as he could.
Seeing this, George Miller came over to hand Perry his jacket also, which Perry put around Della. George put his hand on Perry's bare shoulder. "You must love her very much."
Perry looked up at the man. "Yes sir, I do, very much. But I haven't told her yet. I just hope..."
George squeezed his shoulder. "She'll make it Mr. Mason, she'll make it."
"Thank you Mr. Miller." The man turned and walked slowly back to his wife, hugging her to him.
Watching George and his wife, he thought that he wanted to be that way with Della. He knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life loving this woman. Not just as his secretary but as his partner, his wife if she would have him. He wanted to be holding on to each other in their golden years, the way the Miller's were now.
Della stirred in his embrace. "Perry?"
"I'm here Della. Right here."
Della tried to move but Perry held her still. "Easy Della. You've been shot."
"It hurts. Is it bad?" Perry decided to tell her the truth, knowing she could tell if he was lying.
"Yes, it's pretty bad. You've lost a lot of blood. But Grant and Daniel are working on a way out. So you just lay here and relax and we'll be out of here soon."
Della looked up into his deep blue eyes, seeing the concern, but something else. Then a thought entered her clouded brain. "Pierce?"
Perry shook his head. "He won't bother us anymore." He leaned over and kissed her softly, causing Della to sigh deeply. "Now close your eyes and rest. I'll stay right here." Della reached her hand up to touch his cheek. Then she closed her eyes. Perry tightened his embrace and he sent up a silent prayer. Please let this beautiful woman live. I'll give up everything just to keep her in my life. Please, please let her live.