To Die For
Page 23
“That’s an order, McCord.”
I waited until the ambulance left with Hanna. The paramedics had given her something for pain and had hooked her up to a sugar water IV since she was seriously dehydrated. I wasn’t sure if she remembered me saying I’d see her in the morning, but I knew she needed rest, and Lee needed to be with her daughter.
Chapter 61
It was Friday morning, and I woke to a dog licking my face. I pushed Bandit away, wiped off my cheek, and checked the time—8:19.
I groaned. “No wonder you’re licking me, buddy. You’re probably starving.”
Bandit whined, spun in circles, and took off down the hallway. I climbed out of bed, opened the pantry door, and filled his dish with kibbles.
If I took a quick shower and got dressed, I could be at the hospital by nine thirty. With the coffee started, I opened the slider so Bandit could dart outside and do his usual yard patrol for squirrels, then I headed to the bathroom.
A text from Lutz had come in while I was showering. It said Eileen Harper’s funeral service was tomorrow, and he was giving me a heads-up—we were expected to attend. I knew Deidra’s wouldn’t be long after that, and my heart filled with sadness for the families. I had been in their shoes with my folks and my sister but thankfully never a spouse.
I left the house and headed to the hospital. I’d called earlier and was told that Hanna was awake and doing better. Once inside, I made a stop in the gift shop and bought their largest bouquet of flowers—roses, lilies, and carnations, and had them put in a crystal vase. After some consideration, I picked a card, not knowing if it should be light-hearted, sincere, loving, or to a friend. I decided on sincere, not wanting to assume anything after the predicament my job had put Hanna in.
I felt nervous as I took the elevator to the third floor, where her room was. Would she be angry with me? I wasn’t sure. Chances were, she would end things before they really got started—and I couldn’t blame her if she did.
With a knock on the door, I waited until I heard her say to come in. I pulled the curtain aside, and she was in bed with the back inclined to nearly a sitting position. She looked like hell, but I gave her the best smile I could muster. Inside, I was cursing myself.
I placed the vase on the table and pulled a chair to her side. “How are you, Hanna? What did the doctor say?”
She took a sip of water through the straw. “I’ll recover. My nose is broken, and I have eye trauma. That’s why the patch is there. It’ll take time. The doctor said I’ll be off work for a few weeks.” She thanked me for the bouquet and tried to smile, but her face didn’t cooperate. “From what I can see with a half-swollen eye, is that they’re really pretty.”
I handed the card to her, and she opened it then read it silently. “Jesse, I—”
I stopped her. “You don’t have to explain. I know my job is dangerous and a hazard to the people I care about. I don’t blame you one bit for backing off, and I’d do the same thing if I were you.”
She put her finger to my mouth. “Can you please be quiet?”
I stopped talking and waited. She wanted to explain it in her own words.
“What I was going to say was that I don’t think I’ll be able to make our dinner and a movie tomorrow night. I’ll probably be stuck here for a few days.”
I grinned. “How about I bring dinner to you and download any movie you want to see to my iPad? We can curl up together and have our date night right here.”
“That sounds really good, but you aren’t getting off that easily. I still want to see Dark Destiny when I look more presentable.”
“We will, and that’s a promise.” I leaned over and kissed her forehead. “I want you to know how sorry I am about everything. I never wanted to put you at risk.”
She wiggled her finger and pointed at her lips. I obliged and gave her a gentle kiss.
“I’m good, Jesse, and for your information, you aren’t getting rid of me that easily.”
Her words were music to my ears, and at that point, I knew we’d be just fine.
THE END
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