by Marie Force
David arrived at the clinic a few minutes ahead of the ambulance and set up an exam room with bandages and a suture kit. Hearing Daisy had been beat up again had him agitated and furious at her so-called boyfriend. After the last time, he thought he’d been successful in convincing her to leave the abusive relationship.
While he hated to hear that Daisy had been hurt again, he was glad to have something to take his mind off the fact that his ex-fiancée was back on the island with her devoted husband and due to deliver their first child in a couple of months. He’d heard from Victoria, the nurse practitioner/midwife he worked with, that Janey planned to have the baby in Ohio, which was a huge relief.
Ever since he’d saved Mac and Maddie’s baby Hailey when she’d arrived blue and not breathing during a tropical storm, the McCarthys had been a lot less chilly to him than they were after Janey had caught him in bed with another woman. But it wasn’t like they were all bosom buddies or anything. Luckily, the island was big enough that he didn’t cross paths with them very often, and when he did, everyone was cordial enough.
Sometimes he still couldn’t believe how stupid he’d been. The Hodgkin’s diagnosis had thrown him for a loop and led him to do a few things he regretted—nothing more so than sleeping with one of his chemo nurses. It had taken him a long time to get back on his feet after he lost Janey and to stop thinking about her every minute of every day. Now she was back on the island after another year of vet school, happily married to Joe and about to have the baby that should’ve been David’s. They’d planned to have four of them and had even chosen names—David Jr., Anna, Henry and Ella. He wondered what Janey planned to name her child and then told himself it didn’t matter. It had nothing to do with him.
They would’ve been married nearly a year now. He could’ve had everything he’d ever wanted, but he’d blown it, and there was nothing he could do but get on with his life and hope that maybe someday he’d again feel for another woman the way he’d once felt for Janey before he’d screwed it all up.
The arrival of the ambulance interrupted his brooding.
“Hi, Daisy,” he said when Libby rolled the gurney into the exam room.
Daisy was pale from blood loss and looked a little shocky.
Libby listed her injuries, which included lacerations to her face and hands and a bruised knee. She had applied bandages to the cuts and stanched the bleeding.
“Hi, Doctor David,” Daisy said. “Sorry to make you come in after hours.”
“It’s no problem. I’d hoped we wouldn’t see you in here again.”
“I know,” she said, lowering her gaze. “I made the huge mistake of giving him another chance. I won’t do that again.”
David had heard it all before, four times since he’d taken over the island’s medical practice when Cal Maitland went home to Texas after his mother had a stroke.
“I hope not, Daisy. I worry about him seriously injuring you one of these days. You’ve been lucky up to now to only have bumps and bruises. This time, you’re cut. What’s next?”
When she broke down into heartbroken sobs, David wanted to shoot himself for being so blunt. “I’m sorry,” he said, wrapping an arm around her fragile shoulders.
She leaned into his embrace, startling him and firing all his protective instincts. He wished he could go teach Truck Howard a lesson or two about what happened to bullies who picked on women. But that wouldn’t do anything to help Daisy.
As he ran a comforting hand over her soft, silky hair, he let her cry it out until her sobs became hiccups. “Feel better?”
She shook her head. “I feel so stupid,” she whispered.
“Don’t. All you can do is learn from it and go on. Blaine will make sure Truck can’t come near you again.”
“He…he…hurt me.”
“I know. We’ll get your cuts cleaned up and stitched, and you’ll be good as new in no time.”
“Not just there.”
David pulled back from her so he could see her face. “Where?”
She lowered her gaze, and her face heated with embarrassment.
“Did he rape you, Daisy?”
“He tried. I fought him, but he still hurt me.”
“Do you want me to call in Victoria to examine you?”
“No! You. I want you to do it.”
“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather have a woman?”
“I know you. I trust you.”
Her softly spoken words went straight to his heart. “I’ll take care of you. Don’t worry. Let me have a word with Blaine. I’ll be right back, okay?”
She nodded.
“Can you change into a gown for me?”
“Yes.”
“Take it nice and slow. You’ve lost quite a bit of blood, so you’re apt to be light-headed.”
“I’m okay.”
Leaving her to change, David stepped out of the cubicle and went to the waiting room to find Blaine.
“She said he tried to rape her.”
Blaine shook his head in disbelief. “Any sign of sexual assault?”
“I haven’t examined her yet. She said she thwarted him, but not before he hurt her.”
“We can charge him with attempted sexual assault.”
David nodded. “Hopefully, he’ll get put away for a good, long stretch, and she’ll have a chance to move on without him.”
“Let’s hope so. I’ve had just about enough of this guy.”
“I hear ya.”
“I need photos and swabs.”
“I’ll do a rape kit, but I’m going to call in Victoria to help. She said she wanted me to do the exam, but I need assistance to do the kit. It’ll take a couple of hours, if you have other stuff you need to do in the meantime.”
“I’ve got to get to the station to process Truck, get him charged and call in the state police to transport him.”
“I’ll call you when we’re done.”
“Thanks, Doc.”
As Blaine turned to leave, Maddie McCarthy came rushing into the clinic. “Blaine! How is she? Can I see her?”
“She’s all right. I had to talk her into calling someone, just so you know. She’s upset it happened again after we talked her into leaving him.”
“I understand.”
“Right this way,” David said, leading Maddie to the exam room where Daisy waited on the table.
The gown was huge on her, making her look even tinier and more fragile.
Maddie put her arms around Daisy and held her close. “Why didn’t you tell me you were back with him, honey?”
“I was embarrassed.”
“You haven’t done anything wrong.”
“I loved a man who hurt me.”
“It’s okay now.” Maddie’s voice was soothing and comforting. “We won’t let him get anywhere near you again. You’re safe. I promise.”
“Thanks for coming, Maddie.”
“I’m so glad you asked Blaine to call me. You shouldn’t be alone.”
“You all are so nice. Thank you.”
While Maddie comforted Daisy, David placed a quick call to Victoria, who promised to be there shortly to help with the rape kit. While he waited for her to arrive, he removed Daisy’s bandages to assess the severity of the cuts on her hands and face. Only one of the lacerations on her hand required sutures. As he prepared for the procedure, he felt Daisy’s big gray eyes watching his every move.
“Will it hurt?” she asked.
“Only a little when I numb you up, but then you shouldn’t feel a thing. When the numbness wears off, it’ll be sore for a few days, but I’ll give you something for the pain.”
“I won’t be able to work.”
“I’ll cover for you,” Maddie said.
“You don’t want to do that.”
“I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t want to, so don’t give it another thought.”
“Ready for a pinch?” David said as he prepared the shot.
Daisy’s entire body went tense.
&
nbsp; Maddie held her other hand. “Look at me.”
Daisy did as Maddie instructed, wincing at the burn of the shot.
“One more,” David said, trying not to be moved by the tears rolling down her face as he pushed the needle into the palm of her hand. “There. That’s the worst of it.”
“Breathe,” Maddie said.
Daisy took a series of deep breaths that restored some of the color to her pale cheeks.
“Daisy, may I have your permission to speak about your care in front of Maddie?” David asked as he applied the first suture.
“Yes, of course.”
“I called in Victoria, the nurse practitioner, because we need to do what’s called a rape kit. Do you know what that is?”
“Not really,” she said haltingly.
“It’s the collection of evidence that can be used in court. We’ll take photos, swabs and collect any hairs or fluids that might tie Truck to the assault.”
Daisy stared at him and then swallowed hard. “You have to take pictures down there?”
“If there’s bruising or abrasions, we need to document that.”
Daisy shook her head. “No. I can’t. I can’t do that.”
“Daisy, honey,” Maddie said, “if they can’t prove he tried to rape you, he’ll get away with it.”
“Maddie’s right,” David said. “The assault charges are serious, especially since he’s on parole, but the attempted rape charge will ensure he’s put away for a long time.”
Maddie brushed Daisy’s hair off her face and wiped the other woman’s tears with a tissue.
“Will you stay with me while they do it?” Daisy asked Maddie.
“I’ll be here every minute. For as long as you need me.”
Daisy gripped her friend’s hand. “I’m scared.”
“There’s nothing to be scared of,” David said. “I promise we’ll be very gentle and do all we can to make sure Truck never hurts you again.”
Victoria came into the room and stepped up to Daisy’s bedside. “That’s right.” She rested a hand on Daisy’s knee. “It won’t be all that different from your annual physical.”
“Oh,” Daisy said. “Really?”
Victoria nodded. To David, she said, “Are we ready?”
“Whenever you are.”
“Okay, honey, let’s get this over with,” Victoria said as she guided Daisy’s feet to the stirrups.
Daisy closed her eyes and gripped Maddie’s hand a little tighter.
As Victoria raised Daisy’s gown and eased her legs apart, David took in the darkening bruises on her genitals and bit back a curse. He’d make sure Truck Howard paid for what he’d done to her, and then David would have to figure out why the idea of her being hurt made him hurt, too.
Tiffany ran into her sister the next morning when they were dropping their kids off for a few hours of summer camp.
“Why do you look like something the cat dragged in?” Tiffany asked Maddie.
“Because I’ve been up all night.”
“How come?”
“Have coffee with me, and I’ll tell you.” Maddie took her by the hand and dragged her to the South Harbor Diner.
“Um, okay,” Tiffany said. “I didn’t have to go to work or anything.”
“Ten extra minutes won’t ruin your day.”
“How do you know?”
“Sit,” Maddie said, full of big-sister authority.
Tiffany decided to humor her. “Fine. I’m sitting. What now?”
“Rebecca, we’ll take a couple of coffees and two egg-white omelets with veggies.”
“Coming right up, Maddie.”
“How do you know I didn’t already eat?” Tiffany asked.
As if she hadn’t spoken, Maddie said, “So where have you been the last few days? I can’t remember the last time I went so long without talking to you.”
“I’ve been working. Remember that?”
Maddie frowned. “Don’t razz me about not working. I’m still getting used to being retired. I’m not sure I’m going to like it.”
“You deserve the chance to be home with your kids, Maddie. Don’t feel guilty about taking that time with them.”
“Still, it’s weird. I’ve been working since I was fifteen.”
“You have a different job now—the most important job.”
“That’s what Mac says, too.”
“So why were you up all night?”
“You know my friend Daisy from the hotel?”
“Uh-huh. What about her?”
“She had some trouble with her boyfriend last night. I’m sure the police report will be public before the day is out, but he’s being charged with assault and attempted sexual assault.”
“Oh God, poor Daisy. Is she okay?”
“She will be, but she’s sore and achy. I only left her when they gave her something to help her sleep. I needed to get home to feed Hailey before my boobs exploded. David and Victoria are keeping an eye on Daisy, but I’m going back over there after this.”
“That’s really too bad. She’s such a sweet person.”
“I know. It’s awful.” Maddie finished her first cup of coffee and signaled Rebecca for a refill. “So what’s up with you? How’s the shop doing?”
“Okay.”
“Just okay?”
“Could be better, could be worse. I’m not panicking. Yet.”
“I’m sure it’ll pick up when the season really gets started. Until Race Week, things are kind of slow around here.”
“I know.” Tiffany fiddled with her spoon, wanting to tell her sister the other big news but also wanting to keep it secret for a while longer. “I got my final divorce papers the other day.”
“Oh, wow. Are you okay?”
“Sure,” Tiffany said. “I knew they were coming any time now.”
Maddie reached out to squeeze her sister’s hand. “Still, Tiff.”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry. I’ve certainly had plenty of time to prepare myself.”
“True.” Maddie looked down at her coffee and then at her sister. “So, I wanted to tell you… I’ve decided to see Dad.”
“Really?”
Maddie nodded. “Mac is furious with me about it, but I hate that I’m the only thing standing between Mom and a divorce. I want her to be able to marry Ned.”
“Are you sure it’s a good idea to see him?”
“Hell, no. I’m sure it’s a terrible idea, but I can’t bear the idea of him denying her a divorce because of me.”
“I understand that. What does Mac say about it?”
“He doesn’t want me to get hurt again, and I love him for that.”
“I don’t blame him for worrying.”
“I don’t either, but he refuses to understand how hard it is for me to be the one thing standing between my mother and what she wants and deserves after all she’s been through.”
“Mom is perfectly thrilled to be living with Ned. I don’t think a piece of paper is going to change anything for them.”
“She hasn’t said as much to me, but I think she’s still old school enough to be uncomfortable about shacking up without the benefit of marriage.”
“Probably,” Tiffany conceded. “So when are you going to see him?”
“I left him a message. I’m waiting to hear back and tiptoeing around my husband in the meantime.”
“Let me know if you hear from him.”
“I will.”
“I slept with Blaine.”
So much for keeping it secret.
Maddie froze, her eyes widened and her mouth fell open. “And?”
“It was awesome. Incredible. Amazing. All those things.”
“Oh my God! I’m so happy for you! This is the best news I’ve heard in ages.”
“Don’t get all crazy. It’s not some great love affair, so don’t make it into more than it is.”
“Oh, I bet it’ll turn out to be more than just sex.”
“I wouldn’t take that bet. We barely ta
lk to each other.”
Maddie fanned her face. “That’s so hot. You have to give me some details.”
“No! No way.”
“Come on… It’s just me. Spill it.”
Tiffany’s entire body heated when she thought about Blaine and what they’d done together.
“Whoa, it’s so hot it makes you blush when you think about it?”
“It was pretty hot,” Tiffany conceded.
“You gotta give me something. One little tidbit?”
Tiffany got a reprieve when Rebecca delivered their omelets. Maddie dove in like she hadn’t eaten in weeks, while Tiffany picked at hers.
“I haven’t forgotten,” Maddie said between bites.
“You’re a pain in the ass.”
“I know.”
Tiffany rolled her eyes. “I didn’t grill you like this when you got together with Mac.”
“That’s because you were too busy hating him for being a McCarthy.” Maddie poked her fork at Tiffany. “I would’ve been happy to share the dirty details with you.”
“Liar. You never talked to me about that stuff.”
“That’s because before Mac there wasn’t much to talk about.” Maddie checked her watch. “I need to get back to the clinic to check on Daisy. Are you going to share or not?”
“Not.”
“You should know that Blaine was truly amazing with Daisy last night. He’s very good at what he does. The island is lucky to have him.”
“That’s true.”
When Tiffany thought of how he’d defied the mayor on her behalf, her stomach turned and she lost interest in her coffee. What if he lost his job because of her? She couldn’t let that happen.
Maddie nudged her out of her thoughts. “You have to tell me something.”
“Fine! What do you want to know?”
Maddie propped her chin on her upturned hand. “Oh, I don’t know. Something…scandalous.”
“How do you know there was anything scandalous?”
“Because you two have been having eye sex for months now. I have no doubt it was scandalous.”
“What the hell is ‘eye sex’?” Tiffany asked with a laugh.
“Tearing each other’s clothes off with your eyes.”
Tiffany laughed again at that. “This is all I’m saying, you got me?”
Maddie leaned in closer so she wouldn’t miss a word. “Got it. I’m ready. Bring it on.”
