Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 63626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
She didn’t speak for a moment and then gave a furtive glance toward the door, as if making sure she’d have no witnesses. Evidently satisfied, she looked back at me. “Are you always so very—”
“Concerned about my loved ones?” I provided.
“I was going to say insistent, but I suppose concerned works just as well.” For the first time, her smile appeared genuine. “And in my professional capacity as a nurse, it is my duty to keep my patient as calm as possible. So, I’ve come to the conclusion that sharing a bit of information will alleviate the stress that is detrimental to your recovery.”
As someone who’d done a bit of dancing about the rules myself, I had to give her points for creative thinking. Smiling, I nodded. “Well said, and if needed, I’ll be glad to testify you were only attempting to keep me from going bat-shit crazy with worry.”
She told me that the bullet had gone completely through Jay’s arm. That the bandage I’d applied had kept him from bleeding out. She explained how he’d been given units of blood to replace those he’d lost, and that while he’d be using a sling for a few weeks, he really was going to be fine and had already been discharged.
“How is that possible?” I asked. “I’m still here, and all I had were a couple of small burns.”
“You had far more than a couple,” she corrected, touching the edge of the gauze. “Some second degree. And you inhaled a great deal of smoke. You have several bruises and a few lacerations as well.” She paused and reached for my hand, giving it a squeeze. “What you did was stupid, but incredibly brave. I understand you ran into the burning barn to free the animals. You’re really quite lucky to be alive.”
I didn’t feel brave, I felt adrift. It occurred to me that not only had I been in this hospital far longer than Jay, I’d yet to see any one of my men. Were the rules regarding family really that strict?
“Thank you for telling me. I’m sure they’ve been just as worried about me.” I looked toward the door. “I’m actually surprised they’ve not visited. They don’t tend to follow the rules too closely,” I said with a smile. “I’m sure they’ll want to know when I’m to be discharged so they can take me home.”
The expression on her face changed. It was no longer one of indulgence a parent would give a child. It was one of pity, as if knowing the news she was about to provide wouldn’t be welcomed.
“What is it?” I asked, then a thought had me pushing up to stand again. “I can’t believe this,” I said, looking around. “Where are my clothes? I need to go.”
“You’ve not seen the doctor yet,” she said.
“I don’t care. I’m fine. Well, not fine, I’m pissed. How in the hell could they blame any of my men for what happened? They were defending their sister. They were defending me! Cook and those other bastards came onto Barrett land with the intention of killing every single one of them. How the police could have arrested them… put them in some cell like common criminals… that’s just… just wrong!”
“Please, you need to calm down,” she said, reaching for me. I didn’t allow her to grab me. I went to the cabinet by the door, opening it to find it empty except for a stack of hospital gowns like the one I was presently wearing. No hanging clothes or even a bag where they’d been stored for me.
“Where are my clothes?” I repeated. “Were they taken into evidence? Do you have—”
I stopped speaking when the door opened and a man in a white coat came in. He was younger than the nurse by at least twenty years, and yet I could tell how relieved the older woman was to see him.
“Good morning, Dr. McCauley,” the nurse said.
“Good morning, Mrs. Shoney,” he replied and then looked at me, giving me a smile. “And how is the patient today? Good to see you up and about.”
“I need to borrow some clothes, scrubs or something,” I said in way of greeting. “Mine are gone, and I need to get to the police station.” I paused and ran a hand through my hair, realizing I not only had no clothes, I had no car and no money. “I’m afraid I don’t have my purse or any credit cards to pay the bill right now, and if someone will loan me taxi… or bus fare, I promise I’ll pay you back.”
Dr. McCauley nodded, gesturing toward the bed. “I’ll make sure you get whatever you need, but please, sit down for a moment.”
“I don’t want to sit, I want to leave,” I said, my voice going shriller, and I began to have to struggle to draw in a breath, as if I’d been running.