I pulled an alcohol wipe from my trusty first aid kit and wiped my hands. “I’m going to need you to sit still. Alrighty?”
His eyes grew wide as he glanced between Gabe and me. “I don’t like this.”
“The good news is I’m a nurse, and the glass isn’t in a vein or artery so this’ll be easy peasy. But, since you’re already not liking this, I should probably tell you that when the glass is removed, I’m going to apply pressure. Once any bleeding subsides, I’m going to just give you a stitch or two. Got me?”
“What the hell? I think I need a doctor.” Jason was suddenly sweating. I was trying to kill him with kindness, but my eyes scanned the barn for a hammer that might be easier.
“The truth is nurses keep the doctors from accidently killing you. Trust me, I’ve got this.” I put on my calm smile before looking at Gabe. “You hold tight, okay?”
A blood-curdling scream later, I was holding gauze against his wound as we all chatted about what a fucked-up night it’d been.
“Looks like the bleeding is under control, but we do need to give you a few quick stitches, okay?”
“Do you have anything to numb me up?”
“Well, no, but I have a feeling you’re a really tough guy.” I used my best Italian accent. “You don’t need no stinkin’ novocaine.”
“I don’t think I need stitches.”
“I’m a nurse. To save time here, let’s just assume that I’m never wrong, okay?” I got my supplies prepared. “Lucky for us I carry a little suture kit. Sutures are used when a wound is gaping. This ensures that we bring all the layers of tissue together so the damaged wound can start healing. Then tomorrow I want you to go to the hospital and have them check it over, okay?”
Gabe’s deep voice was quiet. “Kinda hot seeing Nurse Novotny in action.”
I batted my lashes. “Why thank you.” I looked back at Jason. “These are sterilized suture threads. What I’m going to do here is called an interrupted suture since each stitch isn’t related. I will make one and then tie it off to make a different one. I’m going to line up the edges and push the needle through at a 90-degree angle about a centimeter to the right of the wound.”
Jason shook his head. “Oh, jeez.”
“So lean your head back against the seat and be still. Just imagine what a badass your friends will think you are after tonight.”
I started stitching and couldn’t help but notice Gabe taking in each move I made with his face just inches from mine.
“That is some damn fine work, Fern.”
“Why thank you. It’s kind of my thing.”
Jason used some impressively colorful language while I needled him but stayed completely still. “Let me tie this off, and we’re done.”
After a few minutes more, Jason let out a long breath. “Thank you.”
I zipped up my little bag. “You’re welcome. That will be six hundred dollars.” I giggled.
“Ha ha. But what in the hell are we going to do now?” Jason laced his fingers nervously.
Gabe leaned back. “I’m thinking I call the cops and tell them we’re coming in and that we’re not sure if these guys are going to find us on the way or not and see what they think.”
“I gotta take a piss. I’ll be right back.” The headlights shined ahead on a door in the front of the barn. Jason walked toward it, pulled it open, and let out a high-pitched scream. Twenty llamas suddenly burst through the door as Jason bolted in the other direction.
I blinked hard. “What the hell?” I laughed as the herd ran around the truck and disappeared out of the barn. “Gabe. What is happening tonight?”
I looked up to see a shocked Jason in the headlights who had not made it out in time to pee and stomped his foot, “Great. Now I pissed myself!”
Would I have expected myself and Gabe to be laughing tears in the front seat of a jacked-up truck after being chased and shot at? No, but there we were.
Jason climbed into the back seat as Gabe backed out of the barn. “I’m going east so we’ll end up on Highway 50 and go the back way into town.”
We drove through the snowy field with the moon lighting the way as the icy air blew through the nonexistent back window. Once back on pavement, Gabe looked over to see my eyes on him as we picked up speed. He dialed his phone, and a male voice filled the vehicle.
“Stillwater Police Department.”
