Page 4 of Her Passionate Hero

She was. Aliana took a quick glance at the woman’s name tag, it said Ritter. “Thank you for your help, Ms. Ritter.”

“Call me Mary,” the woman said as she tugged on the right sleeve of Aliana’s coat. Aliana let out a cry, the lining of the coat had stuck to the wound. Mary immediately realized what was going on. “I’m going to cut this off.” She turned to the same kit Jerry had been rooting around in. Aliana swiftly pulled off her coat, not letting out a sound now that she knew what to expect. When Mary turned around holding the scissors, she found her sitting on the gurney with her blouse open and the ugly cut seeping blood.

“You really shouldn’t have done that,” she said quietly.

“It was expedient.”

“Okay. Let’s take a look, shall we?”

Aliana wondered why she was saying we. Mary made a tsking sound. “I think there are a couple of spots here that are going to need stitches. We’re going to take you to the hospital. When was the last time you had a tetanus shot?”

“I don’t know.” Aliana coughed and it hurt.

“Let’s get you covered up.” Mary gently helped Aliana into her coat, the right way. “I’m just going to tie the sash loosely, is that okay?”

Aliana nodded.

“Jerry’s going to drive us. Ernie will follow us, he’s going to want to get a statement.”

At the mention of the policeman, Aliana’s thoughts flew to her mom and how she’d looked last weekend. She’d tried to tidy up her thin hair, but even using the soft brush, her mother had cried and said it had hurt. For the last two months, Danica Novak had spent a lot of time whimpering like a small child. When Aliana had talked to the staff at the nursing home, they had assured her this was just a phase and there was no medical reason she would be in pain. Still, it broke her heart to hear her mother’s soft sobs. It even happened when she rubbed the soothing vanilla lotion on her feet and hands.

Aliana would have insisted they bring in specialists if it weren’t for the fact her mother would suddenly stop crying and start smiling and then thank her for the wonderful foot rub. It made Aliana’s heartache, she never knew what she was going to encounter when she visited. The idea that Mateo was threatening her helpless mother both enraged and scared the hell out of her. There was no way she was going to tell the police even if that had been her original intention.

“Are you listening to me?”

“Hmmmm?” It was the same way she responded to students when she was multitasking and hadn’t been listening to what they’d been saying.

“I said we’re leaving for the hospital now. Ernie, the cop, is getting your belongings and locking up your car. He’ll follow us to the hospital. He’ll take your statement there.”

“I ran a red light. He must be upset with me.”

“It’s okay.” Mary patted her hand. “You’re entitled. I want you to lie down. I need to get you strapped in, okay?”

Mary indicated the pillow, and Aliana shook her head. That was a mistake, she grabbed at her gauze covered neck. “Isn’t there a place for me to sit? I don’t want to lie down.”

“Honey, I took your blood pressure. You’re light headed. This is for the best.”

“Please?”

“It’s policy. You’d really be helping me out if you would just rest. It isn’t far.” Mary’s eyes were soft and coaxing. Aliana stretched out on the gurney, and Mary did up the straps. “Thank you.”

Aliana shut her eyes. Mateo’s face swam in front of her closed lids. She slammed them back open and stared at the ceiling of the ambulance. She felt nauseous. She swallowed and bit back a groan of pain. Seriously, she needed to quit being a drama queen, this was nothing. Eventually, she felt the vehicle come to a stop. The rear doors opened, and the steamy heat of the night billowed into the back of the ambulance. It felt suffocating.

The straps wouldn’t come off. She tried to get them off. The more she struggled and moved the more pain shot through her chest.

“Calm down, Miss, let me help.” Jerry jumped into the back of the ambulance and loomed over her. Aliana shrieked.

“Jerry, move your ass. Let me,” Mary said sharply.

“Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry,” Aliana repeated over and over again.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. Jerry is a dumbass. Let me get you unstrapped, and you can walk out, will that be okay with you?”

Aliana was free, she pushed up with Mary’s help.

“Take it slow.” She looked around. Jerry was standing outside looking contrite. She gave him a tentative smile, and he saluted. Mary put her arm around her waist. “Watch your step, it’s a big one. Will you let Jerry help you?”

“Of course. I’m sorry for being out of control, I don’t know what came over me.” She held her hand out to him like a lady be handed out of a carriage. He took it like a courtier with a slight bow. Aliana gave a small grin in return.