CHAPTER 16
The fog had started to lift, but Bridget never wanted to see a hospital again. She would be safer anywhere but in the ICU. She held another ice pack to the back of her head and prayed that it would start working. She needed to think, and between the insulin and hitting her head again, her thoughts felt sluggish as maple syrup.
Eliza stirred once or twice.
The nurse said it was an encouraging sign but thought it was probably due to a surge in glucose to offset the suspected insulin, rather than anything else. Bridget didn’t care. She would take any positive sign on such an awful day.
Now she looked at the spot where the bed should be. Dr. Lyons had ordered a second MRI, and techs had wheeled Eliza back for it. Bridget itched to be back there with her, but the techs had told her no. She’d still felt unstable, so hadn’t fought hard to go with them.
Her phone dinged, and she glanced down.
Can you let me in?
Tricia’s text surprised her.
I’ll be there in a minute. What do you need?
I have a few things for you.
Coming,
What would Tricia have for her? Bridget nodded at the off-duty officer as she left the room and then kept her hand along the wall as she walked to the lobby.
Tricia tilted her head as she spotted her. “You okay?”
“Not really, but I’m here.” Despite that man’s best efforts to harm her. Fortunately, so was Eliza. He hadn’t been successful. Would having an off-duty officer be enough to keep her safe? They were clearly sitting ducks here in the hospital. He knew where they were and could get to them. He’d done it twice and could likely do it again.
“I brought you some fresh clothes and toiletries.” Tricia pulled a canvas bag from her shoulder and handed it to Bridget.
“Thank you.” After she took the bag, she swiped under her eyes. “I don’t have any idea what I’m doing.”
Tricia pulled her into a hug. “Just keep showing up and doing the best you can. That’s all anyone expects.”
“I’m pretty sure Leticia expects me to force the doctor to decide Eliza needs the surgery so that the hospital pays rather than the state.”
Tricia snorted. “No pressure.”
“You could say that.” Bridget sank to the couch. “I did not train for this.”
“Yes, you did. Everything you’ve done up to this moment has prepared you. All the work you did with Sydney taught you to be a logical thinker who could push against authority when needed. Your degree taught you to think on your feet.”
“I’m not so sure about that.” Bridget gave a watery laugh. “If I stay, I’ll need to take some self-defense classes.”
“That’s easy enough to arrange. Probably a good idea to do that anyway, so you have confidence in any situation you find yourself in. The key is yelling ‘Stay back’ and lunging into a ready stance.”
“I have no idea what that is.”
“Easy to teach you once you’re out of here. I’m sure Todd or Caleb could teach you some basics.”
Her cheeks heated at the mention of Todd’s name, and she hoped Tricia didn’t notice. No such luck, as her friend’s eyebrows rose.
“Something you want to tell me?”
“No. Nope. Nothing.”
“The more you say that, the more I’m sure there’s something there.”
Bridget bit her lower lip then shook her head. “Nothing. There’s nothing there.”
