Page 90 of Mr. B

“I was so scared.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine.” She straightened up and looked at him. “What happened?”

“I was saving a damn trout and…” He rubbed his thigh.

She smiled. “Of course you were saving a trout.”

“Being a nice guy hasn’t really worked out for me lately.”

“I’m sure the trout would say otherwise.” She removed his boots and socks, then looked at his jeans. “How are we going to get those off without causing you a lot of pain?”

“You need to cut up the leg past the swelling.”

“I’ll get my scissors.”

“You have scissors?”

“Of course.”

She went to the bathroom and came out a moment later with a tiny pair of manicure scissors.

“I um…I don’t think that’s going to work.”

She looked at the scissors. “Hmm.”

Lester knocked on the door, and she went to open it. He had a bag of ice and a small bucket with more.

She took the bag from him. “Do you have a knife, by chance?”

Lester pulled a knife from his pocket. “Sure do.”

“Will you help me cut up the leg of his jeans?”

Lester went to the bed. “It will probably hurt more once the pressure is off.”

“I figured.”

Cassandra took an Ace bandage from the first aid kit. “I’ll get it wrapped up once his pants are off.”

Lester began cutting from the ankle, working along the outside of the pant leg. When he reached the tight part, he slowed and continued carefully until he was past the knee and halfway up Wes’ thigh.

“That should do it.”

“Thanks.”

“Do you want me to…”

Wes smiled. “I think we got it from here.”

Lester backed away from the bed. “Okay. If you need anything, come get me.”

Cassandra walked him to the door. “Thank you, Lester.”

“Sure thing.” He waved at Wes, then went out the door.

Cassandra returned to the bed. “So, let’s get you out of those wet pants.”