by Sara Mullins
“Did you talk to the police?” Dr. Smith asked.
“Not yet. Mark is going to take me up there at lunch. I left here and went straight to his house last night. I stayed with him so he could keep an eye on me. But I want you all to know what he looks like in case he walks in here or something.” They all stood in silence and disbelief, staring back at her. “Well, he’s probably five ten, kinda skinny, dark hair, and obviously you will have never seen him before. I don’t have any pictures anymore or I would show you.”
“I know what he looks like, too. If you see anyone weird you can always ask me,” Ashley added.
“Nicole, if you need to leave now and talk to the police, it’s okay,” Dr. Smith told her.
“No, I think it’ll be okay. I really don’t think he would have the nerve to come in here. He doesn’t have the balls to approach me in front of a bunch of people. I seriously think it will be okay, I just wanted to make sure you were all aware,” she reassured them.
“We’re here for you if you need anything,” Carol said.
“Thank you, guys. Thanks for having my back.”
The group went about their day, trying to ignore the unusual situation. As Nicole had predicted, nothing out of the ordinary happened. When lunchtime rolled around, Nicole reminded Dr. Smith where she was going, in case he had forgotten.
“Do what you need to do, no rush,” he told her.
“Thank you,” she replied.
She walked out and hopped in Mark’s truck, which he had parked in front of the building. “You ready?” he asked.
“Yeah, I just want to get it over with,” she said.
Nicole and Mark walked hand-in-hand into the tiny local police department and approached the woman sitting at the desk. She looked up, seeming surprised to see anyone walk in at all. “May I help you?” she asked.
“Yes, uh, I need to ask about getting a restraining order,” Nicole said.
The woman raised her brows in shock. “Well, nowadays you can apply for a protective order online,” she said. “Has someone threatened you?”
“Well, no, not exactly. Yesterday, my crazy, jealous ex-boyfriend showed up in town and tried talking to me outside work,” Nicole said.
“So, he just came up and talked to you?” the woman asked.
“Yeah, but I’m pretty sure he’s been following me. Otherwise, I don’t know how else he knew where to find me.”
“I see. But he didn’t threaten you or hurt you?” the woman asked again.
“No.” Nicole immediately grew frustrated. “Look, I know this doesn’t sound like a big deal, but I’m telling you I know how he is. He used to hit me and now he’s following me and approaching me at work. What next? Am I supposed to just wait until he does something worse?”
“Calm down, ma’am. I’m not saying that you don’t have a reason, okay? I’m only trying to get some information. I think you should go ahead and file for the order.” She grabbed a piece of paper and wrote down the name of the website. “Here. Go to this website. Give as much information as you possibly can.”
“Then what do I do? Wait?” Nicole asked.
“Yes, ma’am, but it shouldn’t take long.”
“And in the meantime? What am I supposed to do, live in fear?”
“No. If you have any concerns, if he threatens you in any way, give us a call. Okay?” the woman said.
Nicole looked at Mark in concern, then looked back to the woman. “Yeah, sure.” She took the paper and walked out the door.
They got in the truck and Mark whipped into a parking lot so he could get turned around. He stopped the truck for a moment. “Everything is gonna be alright,” he told her. “I’m not gonna let anything happen to you.”
“I know. I’m a little scared and frustrated, that’s all. I don’t know what I expected to hear, but it wasn’t that. It’s like it’s no big deal until someone gets hurt.”
“Hell, I bet she’s never had to deal with anything like this before. I think they’re kind of limited on what they can do right now,” he said.
“Yeah, I know, it just sucks.”
“Yes, it does. You shouldn’t have to worry about it in the first place.”
She sat there for a minute and tried to relax. “Well, we’ll see what happens, I guess,” Nicole said, with a shrug.
“I got your back.”
Chapter 11
The next few weeks dragged on and Nicole’s nerves gradually started to get better. Josh had not returned since the day he harassed her. Meanwhile, she had stayed at Mark’s house to be on the safe side, and the two were liking the arrangement. They had discussed the possibility of making it long term, since it was silly for her to keep paying rent on a place she wasn’t living in anymore. But it was a huge step that they didn’t want to rush in to.
They finished another work week and were thankful for the weekend. Nicole woke up on Sunday morning and went to the kitchen to start the coffee. Salem greeted her eagerly, as did Bentley. “Come on, boy,” she said. She opened the door to let the dog outside and walked back to the bedroom to sit on the edge of the bed next to Mark.
“Mark,” she said softly. “Mark . . .” a little louder this time. He cracked an eye open and looked at her. “Good morning,” she told him.
“Morning,” he muttered.
“You want some coffee?”
“Yeah, that sounds great, actually.”
“Doesn’t look like there’s much selection for breakfast, though. Cereal or frozen waffles,” she informed him.
“Waffles for me,” he said.
“Yeah, me too,” she agreed.
After breakfast, they headed out to take care of the horses and clean stalls. “This is a lot easier with two people,” he told her.
“I’m glad I can be of service,” she replied from the neighboring stall. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and peeked at him around the wall. “Hey, let’s go for a ride.”
“Alright. I’m almost done.”
They finished the stalls and walked into the house. “I’m gonna change my shoes real quick,” she told him. She headed over to the door, slipped her boots off, and slid her feet into her sandals.
Mark grabbed a pop from the fridge and chugged it. His phone started to ring. He choked a little from trying to speak before he had swallowed down the last gulp. “Who’s calling me right now?” he asked out loud, grabbing for his phone. “It’s Mama. Well, it may be a minute on that ride.”
Nicole laughed and flopped down on the couch.
“Hello . . . Hey Mama, how ya doin’?” Mark asked. He scrunched his face slightly. “Really? How did he do that?” he asked her. He paused for a minute, listening to Mama explain the answer to his question. “You’re kidding me. Only Dad could pull that off.” He waited again for Mama to finish speaking. “Okay, it’s no problem. I’ll just head down a little later if you want. Wait, hang on, Mama.”
He pulled the phone away from his face and looked at Nicole. “You want to go down to their house with me?” he asked her.
“Of course. Wait, are we coming back late tonight?”
“No, I need to be there tomorrow, too. Dad messed up his knee and she’s supposed to have surgery on her ankle tomorrow morning. She said she wouldn’t care, but they won’t let her leave without someone to drive her home and Dad can’t drive.”
“I promised Dr. Smith I’d be in tomorrow ‘cause Becky took the day off. I’m sorry, honey, I can’t go,” she told him.
“It’s alright, but I worry about you. I don’t want to leave you here alone,” he said.
“Mark? Mark?” Mama could be heard calling out through the phone.
“One sec, Mama.”
“I’ll be fine,” Nicole said. “I’ll stay here. I’ll go straight to work and straight back here after work. Dr. Smith can walk me to my car. And Bentley will keep me company until you get back.”
“That’s true. Bentley will watch over you.” He paused uncomfortably for a minute, staring at Nicole.
Finally, he held the phone back to his ear. “Mama? I’ll head down later after supper . . . No, Nicole can’t come, she has to work tomorrow . . . Well yeah, I’m supposed to, but they’ll cover me . . . It’s fine, I promise . . . Alright, I’ll tell her . . . I’ll tell her. Okay, Mama, I’ll see you tonight . . . You’re welcome, I love you, too . . . ‘Bye.” He sat the phone back down on the counter and scratched his head.
“Mark, it’s okay,” Nicole reassured him.
“I swear if you don’t want me to go, I won’t go. I’m sure she knows someone . . .”
“Mark, she wants you, and that’s okay. Stop worrying, please.”
“Okay, fine,” he gave in.
“So, let’s go for a quick ride then we’ll go eat,” Nicole changed the subject.
“Alright.”
After their ride, they cleaned up and headed out for dinner. Mark drove them to a town up the road so they could eat steak at the local restaurant. It was the only place in the vicinity that they could go to for this. They did the best they could to ignore the fact that he was leaving. Mark finished his plate as usual and Nicole boxed up what she had left. “You ready?” she asked him.
“Yeah, I’m ready when you are.”
She sat on the seat next to him on the way back. “It’s gonna be weird with you not here,” she said.
“I know. I’m kinda getting used to this,” he replied.
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah, I think I’ll keep you around for a while,” he said with a grin.
“If I choose to stay around,” she joked back.
When they got back to his place, he scrambled, making sure he didn’t need to do anything before he left.
“Everything is good,” she reassured him. “I’ll feed the horses in the morning and I’ll take care of Bentley.”
“As long as you are comfortable with it,” he insisted.
“I’m totally fine,” she said. “Piece of cake.”
He grabbed a change of clothes and his toothbrush and threw them in a duffle bag. Nicole waited for him at the door. “Call me if you need anything,” he said.
“I will.”
“I’ll be home as soon as I can tomorrow,” he added.
“Bentley and I will be waiting for you,” she replied.
He leaned in and kissed her and wrapped her in a hug. Then he pulled back and looked into her eyes. “I love you.”
Nicole lost her breath for a moment at the sound of the words that she had never heard him say. She smiled and swallowed the lump in her throat. “I love you, too,” she said.
He gave her one last look and walked out the door. Nicole waited until his truck had left the driveway then she locked the door. Bentley looked at the door then looked at Nicole. “It’s just you and me tonight,” she told him. “I need you to watch over me.”
And that’s exactly what the dog did. Bentley remained by her side every moment for the rest of the evening. When she went to the bathroom, he followed. When she sat on the couch, he lay at her feet. And she nearly stepped on him the next morning climbing out of bed. “Morning, Bentley.”
Nicole took care of all the animals and called Mark to check in before she had to leave. “How’s everything going,” she asked.
“Good so far. She’s lying here waiting for them to take her back.”
“That’s good. Well . . . I just wanted to see how you were doing. I better get going,” she said.
“Okay. I’ll let you know when Mama’s done and everything.”
“Alright, I’ll see you tonight. Love ya,” she said.
“Love you, too.”
Mama smiled at Mark while she waited in her gown for them to take her back. “That’s sweet,” she said.
“Okay, Mama.”
They waited for a few more minutes, then the nurse came to get her. “Good luck, Mama. I’ll be waiting for ya.”
“Thank you, Mark. I appreciate you driving down.”
“It’s not a problem.”
The nurse rolled his mother out and Mark headed back to the waiting room. He sat down and watched the news on the small TV until he dozed off.
Nearly an hour had passed, and Mark sat up, startled. He looked around the empty room, then his phone rang for the second time.
“Hello?” he answered in a daze.
“Mark? This is Sherrie from the Carolina Veterinary Clinic.”
“Hey, how are ya?” he replied cheerfully. “I didn’t forget to pay my last bill, did I?”
“Oh, you’re fine. That’s not why I called,” Sherrie said.
“Is something wrong?” Mark asked.
“Um, I really don’t know what to say . . .”
“What? Where’s Nicole?” he said raising his voice.
“Oh, God. Mark, I’m so sorry. She was in a wreck. She’s at Williams Memorial,” Sherrie said nervously.
“No. No! Is she doing okay? What happened?” He began sobbing.
Sherrie began crying, too. “I’m not sure. Dr. Smith called and they wouldn’t tell him much other than where they took her. I’m sorry, I don’t know anything.”
He cried for a moment then gained his composure. “I’m in Kentucky so it’s gonna take me a while to get there, but I’m on my way. If you hear anything, you call me.”
“Okay, I will.”
“Thank you.” He hung up the phone and immediately began dialing. “Dad . . . it’s Nicole. I have to go!”
“What do you mean? What’s wrong?” Ben asked.
“Nicole was in an accident. I need to go. Is there anyone who can come here and get Mama?” he asked.
“Let me call Cynthia. She and your mom eat lunch together every week. I’ll call you right back.” Ben hung up the phone and Mark paced the floor of the waiting room. The nurse at the counter studied him from afar. His phone rang.
“Yeah?”
“Cynthia said she’ll get dressed and head that way. Mark, just explain to them what’s going on and tell them someone will be there to drive her,” Ben instructed.
“Okay.”
“Oh, and Mark?”
“What?”
“Be careful, please,” his dad said worriedly. “Let me know.”
“I will. ‘Bye.” He walked over to the nurse that was already staring at him. “I’m here with Grace Taylor. I have an emergency and I need to go right now.” The nurse began to shake her head and give him a lecture. He quickly interrupted her. “I know she needs a ride. I promise you it’s taken care of. Her friend is on her way now. Please.” He waited and stared her down.
“Okay,” she said.
“Thank you. Please tell her for me,” he pleaded.
“I will.”
“This is my dad’s number. His name is Ben. Call him if you need anything. Thank you so much,” he said.
“You’re welcome. I hope . . .” Her voice faded as he ran out the door.
Chapter 12
Mark tried desperately not to shed tears as he flew down the interstate. He glanced at the speedometer, doing his best to keep his velocity reasonable. “Why, Mark? Why did you leave her?” he repeatedly asked himself. He pounded the palm of his hand on the steering wheel. Mile marker after mile marker passed by until at last he reached the bridge and crossed into Indiana.
At the hospital, Nicole was in recovery. The doctors had finished operating on her extensive injuries, but she remained unconscious. Ashley was sitting nervously in the waiting room, hoping for any kind of update. One of the physicians walked out, looking for Nicole’s family.
“I’m not family, I’m a friend. I don’t think she has any family nearby,” Ashley told him.
“I understand. Well, overall, it looks good. She’s stable and in recovery right now. We’re going to keep her there for the time being,” the doctor informed her.
“Is she gonna be okay?”
“Nicole suffered a very serious head injury. She is in a coma right now. I’m very sorry,” he said.
“So, what’s that mean?” Ashley inquir
ed.
“Well, there’s no bleeding or swelling so that’s good. Comas can last a couple of days, weeks, or even months. Only time will tell now.”
Ashley buried her face in her hands. She looked back up at the doctor in tears. “Thank you.”
“If there’s anything we can do, or if you have any questions, just let us know, alright.”
“Okay.” Ashley sat for a minute to calm herself down then she grabbed her phone and dialed Mark’s number.
“Hello?” he quickly answered.
“Mark, this is Ashley. I just talked to the doctor.”
“What did they say? Is she okay?”
“She is in recovery. He said she is stable,” Ashley said.
He breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank God.”
Ashley hesitated then went on. “She’s in a coma, Mark. The doctor said it could last a couple of days or it could be longer. They don’t know for sure.”
“What? No!”
“I’m so sorry. They said she had a pretty bad blow to the head.”
“God,” he cried. “I shouldn’t have left. I shouldn’t have left her.”
“It’s not your fault. Don’t blame yourself.”
“It wouldn’t have happened if I had been there.” He paused and calmed himself. “Thank you, Ashley. Thank you for being there with her. I will be there soon. I’m back in Indiana now,” he said.
“Okay, I’ll let you know if I hear anything else.”
“Thanks.” Mark laid the phone down and continued down the highway.
Ashley immediately called work and gave them the update. Sherrie listened in disbelief. “I’ll let you guys know if I hear anything else,” Ashley added.
“Hey, the cops were here a little bit ago, asking questions,” Sherrie said.
“They were asking you guys questions? Why?”
