“A dark blue strapless midi, with a slit to here. It screams sexy sophistication.” She holds a hand at the very top of her thighs. “A friend introduced us. He’s an actor, and he’s on hiatus for the summer.”
“An actor. Wow. Show me a pic.”
Sarah brings up a pic on her phone, showing a blond man with movie star good looks. “He’s playing in this new mini-series on one of the premium channels. I haven’t seen it yet, but I’m binging it this weekend.”
“Lucky man meeting you. I can’t wait to hear all about this date.” Grinning, I waggle my eyebrows at her.
“Fingers crossed. Seriously, he better not be a dud.” She frowns slightly before shrugging it off. “How’s Thayer? Have you gotten any more news from the guys?”
“They’ve been up there all week. He drifted in and out the first few days, but they said he is fully awake and alert now. They are running tests on him to see how much feeling he has in his extremities and if he is experiencing any nerve damage. That’s about all I know right now.”
“Are you doing anything this weekend? We could hang out Saturday night?”
Hmm, Helena sounds good.“Tonight, I am going to Helena to see a movie. By myself. But let’s definitely get together on Saturday. Just text me. If plans change because of your new Romeo, let me know.”
“It’s a date.” Looking at her watch, she hurries to grab her things. “Got to go. I need every minute to get to the level of sexy I want to achieve tonight. Text you later. Have fun tonight.”
“You, too!”
Locking up the practice, I grab my phone to look up movie times. If I leave in the next thirty minutes, I can grab a bite at Lev’s restaurant in Helena before the show starts. Rushing upstairs, I get ready, and I’m out the door with only a couple minutes to spare.
Driving, even the short distance to Helena, gives me too much time to think. While I’ve gotten a few texts from Lowell and Lev this week, I hadn’t heard from Shaw. It was kind of surprising, actually, as I thought I’d get at least an apology, but it’s been crickets. I don’t know if that’s because of Thayer or not. They had all been helping him get on the road to recovery this week.
Unfortunately, Lowell left last night to go to New York to see his editor, and Lev left this morning for a wine auction in Las Vegas. It’s the first weekend I’ve been entirely alone since the first few weeks here. They’ve changed my life so much with their presence that it feels like I’m missing a limb.
After dinner, I head to the movie. Sitting down, I look around at all the people and realize I’m the only person sitting alone. This is what my life was like before them. How did I not realize how isolated I had let myself become? Shaking my head, I reach into the popcorn and let myself get caught up in the movie.
On the way home, I hear my phone ping with a message, but I can’t look while I’m driving. A few minutes later, I’m glad I didn’t check, as a massive deer runs out into the road and slams into my vehicle. Spinning, the SUV hits the guardrail on the side of the road and flips several times before coming to a halt. Upside down when it stops, I’m hanging by my seatbelt.
Shit.
My shaky hands press against the pounding in my chest. I take a few minutes just to breathe and calm down, then my medical side kicks in to catalog my injuries. Broken left arm and head injury seem to be the worst of it, I think, but I’m stuck in the vehicle. Thankfully, I have vehicle accident service, and the voice on the speaker alerts me that emergency services are on their way.
I must have slipped into unconsciousness, because I don’t recall anything else until I’m lying in the emergency room. They take my emergency contact info, and then they are wheeling me off to get X-rays. When I get back to the emergency room two hours later, Shaw is sitting in a chair beside the bed. Frowning, I look around for Lev and Lowell before realizing they are still out of town.
“What are you doing here?”
“When Lowell heard about the accident, he asked me to come get you. He can’t get a flight out until late tomorrow. Neither Lev nor Sarah are answering their phones right now.” His eyes are dark and intent as they rake over all my cuts and bruises. Lingering on the cast of my left arm for a second, he says nothing for a minute, then continues. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to stay and help.”
I’m thankful he’s here and seems to have put aside his anger for now. Shoulders falling with relief, I ask him to step out so the nurse can help me back in bed. Once I’m bed, he sits with me until the doctor arrives.
“You are a very lucky lady. Besides the usual cuts and bruises, you came out of this with a broken arm and a concussion. It could have been a lot worse.” Pausing, he shows me the X-rays because he knows I want to look for myself. “You will need someone to stay with you for the next forty-eight hours to wake you up periodically.”
Looking over at Shaw, he’s frowning as he listens to the doctor. “Do I need to give her any medicine or an ice pack?”
“I’ll prescribe some painkillers for the next couple of days.” Looking back at me, he continues. “Besides the head, you’ll be extremely sore. Take it easy for a few days. If you notice any unusual symptoms, contact me.” He hands Shaw my prescription. Turning to me, he holds my hand for a second. “No driving. I mean it. Take it easy. I hate treating doctors. You make the worst damn patients.”
Smiling, I thank him for his excellent care. The nurse walks in with a wheelchair as he walks out. Moving the sheet, I get up and start getting dressed.
“I’ll fill your prescription and then pull my truck around to the exit.” Shaw hurries out.
About twenty minutes later, the nurse wheels me out the door just as a large green truck pulls up. Damn, it’s massive. As I think about the best way to get in it, Shaw comes around and lifts me up to the front seat. Setting me down, he pulls the seatbelt around me and tucks a blanket around my legs.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I’m taking you back to the ranch. It will be easier for me to watch over you; plus, Lowell and Lev will want to see you as soon as they get home.”
Without replying, I lean my head back and close my eyes. Waking slightly when we get to the ranch, Shaw comes around and picks me up and carries me into the house. I don’t have enough energy to protest and lay my head on his chest.
He smells incredible, I think drowsily. Like man, wood, and a subtle spice.
