by Lavada Dee
“Address?”
“Uh, I’m just passing through. I don’t have an address right now.”
“Okay, last address?”
Galynn stopped trying to get her sweater off. She put her hand to her temple and massaged it.
“Do you have a headache? I wouldn’t wonder if you do.”
“Yes, but not too bad.”
“Let’s skip the address for now since it isn’t current, anyway. How about age?”
“I’m twenty-five. My birthday is May 16th.”
The nurse went down a list of questions. “Do you smoke? Are you allergic to anything?” After a few minutes, she smiled and said, “Good. You’re doing great. Let me help you get into this dry gown, and I’ll take your blood pressure and temperature.”
Galynn was glad for the nurse’s help when she tried to take off her T-shirt. The wound on her back hurt when she tried to pull it over her head. She knew it must have looked as bad as it felt when the nurse hesitated.
“This will be easier if I get the scissors and cut it off.”
Galynn bit her lip to keep from crying out as the nurse tried to ease the fabric away from the wound. Her voice shook. “It’s okay to cut it.”
The shirt proved to be the worst of it, and a few minutes later she had everything off and the gown on. She’d wanted to keep her panties on, but the nurse had said “everything,” and it was more embarrassing to ask than to just do it.
She knew that she’d been running a temperature for the last few hours. But when the nurse said it was almost 102, it surprised her. As would be expected, her blood pressure was also elevated. Francis patted her shoulder as she took the pressure cuff off. “It’s high, but the doctor will take care of you. Don’t worry. Everything will be okay.”
Galynn didn’t think so. It would take a whole lot more than good health for everything to ever be okay again.
* * * *
Cooper sat across from his brother in his office as they waited for the nurse to finish with the woman. It wasn’t hard to see the two men were brothers. Cooper was seven years younger, but they looked enough alike to be twins. Grant played a pencil through his fingers, waiting for Cooper to say something. Finally exasperated, he pushed his chair back. “Okay, enough of the strong, silent, John Wayne scenario here. Who is she, and where did you find her?”
“I don’t know who she is. Hell, I don’t even know her name. I was coming back from the mall job and was just about to my driveway when I saw her on the side of the road. At first I didn’t know the pile of clothes was a person. Just before I got to her, she managed to get to her feet and tried to get into the woods. When I grabbed her, she fought like a tiger, or I guess ‘tigress’ would be more appropriate.”
“Who cares about the semantics? Tiger, tigress whatever, don’t muddy the waters. So was there anyone else around? Did you see a car or truck?”
“No, there were no skid marks either. I thought maybe she might have been thrown out of a vehicle, but from what I could see from my headlights, the bruises look older, like maybe a few days. There’s one on her temple that looks new, but the others are turning a yellowish color.”
“Well, we’ll know more after I take a look at her.” Grant stood up and came around his desk. When he got even with his brother, he bent down to emphasize what he was saying. “Remember, bro, this isn’t a puppy or kitten you’ve found. Don’t be thinking of taking her home.”
Cooper opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Grant held up a hand. “You think I’ve forgotten all the critters you’ve rescued and drug home? Not a chance. You’ve been bringing things home since you were old enough to walk.”
Chuckling to himself at getting the last word in on his brother, he walked out of the room. Knocking, he entered and forced himself not to whistle. No, this lady is definitely not what Coop usually brings home. He forced himself back into professional mode, ignoring the big brown eyes that made a man want to protect and comfort. He didn’t envy his brother. He looked at the chart. Lynn Moore, passing through. Yep, things might heat before Ms. Moore healed enough to be on her way. He might be thinking a little premature here, but knowing his brother he didn’t think so.
Noting the absence of a ring, he sat the chart down. “Ms. Moore, I’m Doctor Grant Blackhawk.”
Her eyes widened. Strangers usually had a similar reaction to seeing the four brothers, though he and Coop looked more alike than the others. Ignoring her reaction, he felt for lumps in her throat and slowly moved around to her back. At the sight of the bruises and angry-looking wound, he fought to keep his voice even and professional. “You have a serious infection. How did it happen?”
“I fell and landed on my back in some glass on the floor. I thought that I’d gotten it all out.”
He gently probed the wound. “There are some good-sized pieces you didn’t get. It’s in a bad place for self-treating.”
Grant came around so he could watch her reaction while he talked. “Usually if we see a patient in the shape you’re in, we do a complete physical workup.” She started to protest, and he interrupted. “I know if it weren’t for your back, you wouldn’t even be in here. So I’m going to treat your back, or I am after I’ve asked you some questions.”
His voice softened, and he smiled, trying to help her through answering his questions. “Okay, here we go. First, I need you to tell me the truth. If you can’t, then decline to answer, but don’t lie to me. Can you do that?”
Lynn nodded.
He paused and dug out his best bedside manner to help her feel at ease with him. “These injuries weren’t caused by an accident. And I’ll bet if I were to X-ray, I’d find you’ve been in this shape before.”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“How long ago did this last incident happen?”
“Five days ago.”
“Do you have any blood in your urine or have you had any?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe the first day, but only a little and only twice.”
“Good, how about bowels? Any visible blood?”
“No.”
“Take a deep breath and hold it.” He watched her face. “Any pain?”
“No.”
“I want to run some tests. A urinalysis and some blood work. It will…” At her reaction, he stopped.
She shook her head and started getting off the examining table. He stepped back to give her room. “Okay, you win. No tests, but you need to watch for blood, and if you start having pain urinating or if you feel dizzy, you need to get to a doctor.”
He watched as she visibly relaxed. “Good, now let’s take a closer look at your back.” He instructed his nurse to lay out what he needed. Turning back to his patient, he said, “We’re going to open that wound. I’ll numb it, but it’s still going to be painful. I think that you’ll do better if you lay facedown on the table. Do you need for Francis to help you?”
“No, I can do it.”
* * * *
Galynn bit her lip against the pain. The doctor hadn’t been mistaken when he said it would hurt. Even with the numbing agent, she could feel him probing for glass. The relief was instantaneous when he pulled a piece out and the wound opened.
“That’s it. The body is a wondrous machine. When a foreign object like a sliver or a piece of glass invades it, white cells form and try to expel the object. I know it didn’t feel like it, but the glass was close to the surface. Most of the pain occurred because I made sure there weren’t more pieces in the wound. The worst is over. I’ll put some antibiotic cream on and bandage it, and you’ll be done, except for a shot of penicillin. If you have dry clothes in your bag, put them on. If they’re wet, Francis can get you some scrubs to wear. After you’re dressed, come to my office.”
Galynn traveled light and only had a few things in her backpack. The one change of clothes was damp, so she took Francis’s offer of scrubs, thankful that at least her panties were dry. After asking the way to doctor’s office, she headed out the door and ran str
aight into Cooper. Her heartbeat sped up, and she felt the blood rush to her face. She ducked her head to hide her blush and tried to keep her voice steady. “I can’t thank you enough for your help.”
“Are you ready to go?” He stood silently, waiting for her answer. He looked like the doctor, but she’d never mistake him for his brother. His black hair made the blue of his eyes stand out. But it was more than just his physical appearance. He had an aura of kindness, but then, how could she judge? At one time she had thought Mick kind and caring. Look what that had gotten her. Still, there was something about this man. Hopefully he isn’t experiencing the same feelings about me. Not that it mattered. She’d be gone before either of them would act on it. “I have to see the doctor first.”
She started down the hall but after only a few steps turned back. “Would you come with me?”
When he caught up with her, she fought the urge to take his hand. She must be a basket case. She was too vulnerable. It would be better once she got rid of the fever and caught a little sleep. “After I talk with the doctor, could you drop me off at a motel?” Looking down at herself, she added, “I could call a taxi, but he might be a little reluctant to take me looking like this.”
“No trouble, there’s one just up the road. It’s old but clean.”
Grant was waiting for her and heard the conversation. “Not a good idea.”
“What?”
“You need to have someone keep an eye on you tonight, and you’re going to need help dressing that wound.” He handed her a bottle of pills and a tube of antibiotic cream. “I want you to take one in the morning and one late in the afternoon. I gave you an injection, so start these tomorrow. And take them all. A lot of people stop when they feel better, but they shouldn’t. Use the cream when you dress the wound, which you need to do every day. If you see any red streaks or if the redness doesn’t change, call me or get into a hospital. I can’t emphasize enough how serious this is.”
He stopped and shook his head. “You’re not going to listen to me, are you?”
“I am listening. I know this infection is serious, but I don’t have a lot of choices. I’ll do the best I can in treating the wound.”
“Okay, but at least stay in town for a few days, come into the clinic, and have one of the nurses dress it for you.”
Galynn again thanked him and walked out to reception to settle the bill, leaving the two brothers to no doubt discuss her.
Cooper had left the truck parked outside the back entrance and helped her into it. He didn’t say anything until he pulled in front of Mabel’s Motel. He looped his wrists over the steering wheel and let the motor idle. The truck hadn’t had time to warm up on the short trip, but at least there was warm air coming out now. Turning, he looked over at Galynn. “Are you sure you want to do this? You know you’re going to have to go back to the clinic tomorrow and there will be all new staff for you to deal with.”
Galynn reached for the door. “Can I leave the plastic bag with my wet clothes and backpack with you until I get checked in? They may be a little reluctant to rent me a room as it is.”
“I can go in with you. We’re a pretty small community, and everyone knows everyone else. If I vouch for you, you won’t have any problem getting a room.” He paused. “Still, you don’t want to draw attention to yourself, and if you check in here, the clerk will remember you.”
She was so tired. It felt like the fever had broken. With an effort, she raised her head and met his gaze. “You’ve been nicer than I could have ever expected. First, picking a total stranger literally off the road, then taking me to your brother and staying with me.”
“Like I said, this is a small town. People tend to take care of each other.”
“But I’m not from around here, and I’m not going to be here long.”
Cooper turned so he could look straight at her for what he had to say. “Look, let’s level with each other. You’re running from someone. A boyfriend, husband? It doesn’t matter. I can’t imagine why you didn’t go to the police, but if you can’t, then from the shape you’re in, you’re doing the right thing. Let me help you. I live just a few yards from where you were when you fell. The house is big, with four bedrooms and four baths. You can have all the privacy you need—”
She interrupted him. “I can’t do that. What will your family say?”
A smile lit up his face. “If they know you’re there at all, they’ll chalk it up to my need to rescue damsels and critters in distress…and you have to admit you’re pretty much in distress right now.”
She knew she shouldn’t trust this man or any man, but again, what choice did she have? If only he was married. At the thought, she felt lost. Strange, she could almost reach out and touch this feeling between them. If only she didn’t feel so tired. “You’ve got that right. I guess I am in pretty much of a mess here. So, Mister Knight in Shining Armor, I hope you won’t be sorry, and I’ll honestly get out of your hair the minute my back heals enough that I won’t need help with it.”
Her voice lowered. “I hope Mick doesn’t find me here, because if he does, he’ll not only kill me, he’ll kill you, too.” She hesitated a few seconds before going on. “I can’t tell you more, and I’ll understand if you want to take back your offer.”
Cooper put the truck into reverse. “Nope, if you’ve been running for four or five days, I’d say he’d have to catch a miracle to find you, and he doesn’t sound like the type of guy miracles happen to.”
Galynn shook her head. “You don’t know Mick.”
* * * *
It was only about a mile to his place, but with hot air flowing into the cab of the truck, Lynn fell asleep. Coop hit the door opener and pulled into the garage. When he turned off the truck, she whimpered in pain and shifted into a more comfortable position against the door. She looked so innocent and hurt. His heart skipped a couple of beats. Damn, he shouldn’t be feeling this way. His head had some sense. Now if only his body would listen. He got out of the truck and walked around the back to the passenger side. The wind was still blowing, and the rain had ice in it. He needed to put the garage door down and get her in the house.
She was leaning against the truck door, and he opened it slowly to keep from scaring her. Still, she jolted awake. He sucked in his breath at the naked fear in her eyes. Keeping his voice low, he said, “You’re okay. You fell asleep. I’m sorry I frightened you. I probably should have tried to wake you up before I got out of the truck.”
Her eyes focused, and he let out his breath in relief. He watched as she struggled with the seat belt. Awake, she seemed to trust him, so he took a chance and reached across her to unlatch it.
The back door opened into a washroom, and he sat the bag of wet clothes on the washer. He handed the backpack to her. “We’ll leave your wet things here and you can wash them tomorrow, but you might want to take what you’ll need out of your backpack first.”
He left her and went in to see what he could round up for dinner. She’d been coming from the direction of Paxton, and there wasn’t much on the road but one little hamburger in–and-out place. She had to be as hungry as he was.
Lucille, his housekeeper, had been in today and left a pot of stew for him. He turned the burner on under the pot and was measuring coffee when she came into the kitchen. When he looked up, she smiled at him, and again his body reacted. If she looked this beautiful now, how would she look when she was healthy and happy?
He turned away from the stove. “Dinner will be ready in about five minutes. It might be a good idea for you to get a hot bath first. I don’t think a shower is a good idea because you’re going to have to be careful not to get your back wet. I’ll show you to your room. It has an adjoining bathroom.”
“Thanks, a bath will feel really good.”
An hour later, Lynn was all but falling asleep at the table. Cooper couldn’t help smiling at her valiant attempt to stay awake. Stating the obvious, he said, “You’re falling asleep. Why don’t we call it a night? I can
give you a shirt to sleep in. Anything I have is going to fit you like a nightshirt, but I imagine anything you have in your backpack is at least damp.”
“I think I’ll use these scrubs. They feel like pajamas. But first let me clean up the kitchen.”
“No, not tonight. I’ll take care of it. You just get yourself into bed.”
At his words, the air seemed to vibrate. He turned away so his body’s response wouldn’t be evident. Damn! This could be a long few days.
Chapter 3
Galynn transferred the clothes from the washer to the dryer. When she’d come downstairs earlier, she had found the note Cooper Blackhawk had propped up by the coffeepot asking her to call him when she woke up. Ignoring his request, she’d put off making the call. The feelings she felt for him were new to her. He made her feel safe, which, under the circumstances, had to be bizarre to say the least. No man should make her feel safe, especially so soon after leaving Mick. And there was more, a sort of wanting or needing for something. Glancing at the wall clock, she was surprised to see it was almost eleven o’clock. What must he be thinking? She needed to make the call.
His deep voice brought an image of the man over the lines. She could almost feel him. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, thank you. I have been up for a little while, but thought I’d start the wash and…”
“Good, make yourself at home. I’ll be back around one.”
Galynn stared at the phone as the dial tone buzzed. It seemed Mr. Blackhawk was a man of few words. Memories of the night before were blurred, but one thing stood out, and that was how safe she’d felt with the man and his home. Slowly she made her way up the broad staircase, noting the graceful, warm lines of the house. It looked new, she’d guess less than a year old if that. Its size and lack of furnishings should have given it an imposing presence, but it didn’t. It took her over an hour to straighten her room, bathe, and dress. And, like the night before, the bath made her drowsy. Not wanting to be asleep when Cooper got home, she poured herself a cup of coffee and opened the newspaper that he’d left out on the table. It didn’t have the same content as the paper in Atlanta, and she read the hometown news with relish.
