AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Merrick felt his shoulders let loose. “That’s a relief,” he said, finding the ability to smile for the first time since leaving the bar. “Then, that’s it? Just keep the bandage on?”
“Actually, I’d like her to go to a hospital as soon as possible tomorrow. I think an MRI would be advisable. Best not to mess around with head injuries.”
“Should I call a life flight tonight?”
“No,” he said, “it’s not that dire. Let her rest until morning. The MRI is just a precautionary measure, but my guess is she’s already out of the woods – just try not to let her move around too much for the next twelve hours.”
Merrick watched the doctor as he collected his tools, then closed his leather bag and headed out the room. Charlie stood by the front door, his car keys dangling from his hand, ready to return the doctor to his home. Merrick caught up to the doctor before he could leave. “Thanks again for coming out, please tell me what I owe you.”
“Nothing, I’m retired,” He said gruffly. “And don’t mess with that Sheriff, he’s dangerous.”
When he went back inside the cabin, Joann was bustling around in the kitchen. And despite the late hour, she insisted on making him a sandwich and a cup of tea.
“There’s nothing at the cabin. If I’d known you were coming.”
“Don’t worry about it, I’ll be fine.”
Merrick was too tired to talk about things, but he ate the food and drank the tea. The food tasted like cardboard, even though he knew that Joann had excellent culinary skills and he attributed his poor appetite to the worry in his gut about that girl in the next room. Joann let out a huge yawn, and Merrick was about to take his leave, when a sound made him look towards the hallway.
His heart skipped a beat at the sight of her. She stood in the doorway, hand on the door. Suddenly, he legs seemed to give and she almost collapsed.
Merrick and Joann both rushed to her side. And moved her back to her bedroom.
“Lie down, dear. You need to stay still,” Joann said.
The beauty allowed herself to be placed into the bed. She stared at Joann and Merrick and then at the room. “Where am I?” she asked.
“You’re with friends,” Joann said. “How are you feeling, dear?”
The girl took a moment to think, or so it appeared to Merrick.
“Thirsty,” she said as if trying the word for the first time. Then her hand wandered to her head. “My head hurts,” she said as if surprised by the revelation. “What happened?”
“You’ve got a small head wound, and you’ve lost some blood. But the doctor says you’ll be fine. We’ll be taking you to the hospital tomorrow for a closer look. You’re staying with us tonight, and you need rest. Let me bring you some water.”
“Thank you,” the girl said.
“Don’t let her get out of bed,” Joann whispered into Merrick’s ear before she left to fetch the water.
Merrick nodded, then sat on the edge of the bed, holding the girl’s hand. He noticed that the gloves she’d been wearing before were off her hands. Her dark eyes probed Merrick’s face, a million questions in her glance, then her hand closed around Merrick’s as if he were a life preserver and she was a drowning man. Merrick’s throat tightened. He gulped as his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. He turned his face away and wiped away some moisture accumulating under his eyes with the back of his free hand. What’s the hell wrong with you? Get a fucking grip.
Joann returned with the water, and Merrick released her hand and stepped out of the way. Joann helped the girl sit up in the bed, then assisted her with the drink – holding it for her. After she finished all the water she was willing to drink, she settled back down against the propped pillows.
Joann smiled at the girl, “What’s your name, sweetheart?”
The girl looked puzzled by the question, then her face froze. Tears filled her eyes.
Merrick’s throat seemed to close. Was she having new pain? Should they call the doctor again?
“What is it dear?” Joann asked. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know my name.”
She looked so terrified and confused by that realization that it made Merrick’s heart ache for her. He didn’t want her to feel bad; surely by morning it would all come back to her. Merrick watched the girl and cringed, feeling responsible for her plight.
Her eyes darted around the room and her breathing quickened. Like a terrified animal in a cage facing her death, she threw back the bedding and tried get out of bed. Merrick and Joann held her down, saying calming words to settle her down, telling her she shouldn’t move.
“But I don’t know who I am. I don’t know who you are.” She was losing it. Merrick’s tongue thickened. He couldn’t swallow. It was all his fault.
