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Darren lifted her into his arms. “I’ve got you,” he assured her as his two companions walked ahead and behind them, each training their flashlights forward.
Scarlett relaxed in Darren’s arms, figuring it would be easier for him to carry her if she wasn’t stiff. The trek back to the house was much more difficult than the walk she’d originally taken. She felt like a fool when they hit the trail less than five minutes after starting back for the house. She’d been so close. None of this would have happened if she’d reined in her childish impulses and kept searching for the trail.
The lights were blazing at the house as Darren carried her up the stairs and inside. Carter was standing with another man who was holding a black bag. “Thank you, Darren. Take her upstairs. Dr. Weiss will be up in just a moment.”
He nodded to the maid. “Go up with them to help Ms. Terini change into dry clothes.”
Scarlett was lying under the covers when the doctor walked in. “Tell me what happened.” Dr. Weiss looked at her head injury first. Scarlett told him the story as he examined her ankle too.
“I’d feel better if you spent the night at the hospital. You have a concussion, and I want to x-ray that ankle. I don’t think it’s broken, but better to be safe than sorry, yes?”
“I guess,” Scarlett said without enthusiasm.
“I will arrange it. You rest here, but don’t fall asleep just yet.”
“I won’t.” She yawned. “Thank you, doctor.”
Darren came to retrieve her just a few minutes later. “Looks like we’re headed to the hospital. Mind if I carry you again?”
“I’ve got her,” Carter interrupted. He carried her down to the town car and delicately put her inside. When he set her down she missed the warmth of his touch. The way he held her. He quickly climbed in next to her.
“I’m sorry you’re hurt,” he offered.
“Me too. I was so dumb, and I knew it. But I couldn’t help myself.”
“Sometimes we do things we don’t mean to. No one blames you.”
His voice was so soft and reassuring, nothing like earlier in the day.
When they arrived at the hospital Dr. Weiss took care of checking her in. “We’ll start out in the emergency department for your x-ray, and then move you to a room later tonight, Scarlett.”
She nodded, and was given a gown to change into. She shot a helpless look to Carter as the doctor prepared to make himself scarce. “Is the gown really necessary, Dr. Weiss?” he asked for her. “She’s obviously in pain, and there’s no one here to help her change.” She appreciated him trying to help her. The room was fuzzy and she was so exhausted.
Dr. Weiss shrugged. “Don’t worry about the gown for now.” Within a few minutes, a woman in green scrubs arrived.
“I’m Sharon,” she said with a smile. “I’ll be taking you for your x-ray. No, don’t get up—we’ll just take the whole bed, dear.”
Scarlett glanced at Carter, wondering why he’d come back with her. Then they were in the hallway, and he was out of sight. Sharon pushed her through a series of hallways to an elevator. When they left the elevator, they went through a pair of swinging doors marked X-ray.
Sharon positioned Scarlett’s foot and snapped some pictures, then returned her to the room. Carter was still waiting, and Scarlett sat in stiff silence, not sure what to say to him.
“Sorry you got lost,” he said unexpectedly. “I should have offered to show you around, or asked Darren to. I just didn’t know what to do with you. I’m still surprised at how things happened,” he confessed. “I didn’t plan to be bringing you home with me last night, and I haven’t figured out all the details yet.”
“You already apologized.”
He didn’t respond. “So this was my father’s idea?” Scarlett asked, trying to hide her hurt at the knowledge.
“It was his suggestion. I didn’t plan to agree, but somehow we both ended up here.”
“Yes we did.” She wanted to add, hurt, because somehow she knew that was where this was going, for both of them.
Dr. Weiss rejoined them, putting the x-ray films up on a lighted board. “No break. It’s just a very bad sprain, and you’re going to have to be off your feet for a few days.”
“Does that mean I don’t have to stay?” Scarlett asked with relief. She hated hospitals more than anything.
“I’m afraid you do. I want to monitor that concussion. If it worsens, I’ll need to have you here for a C.T. scan. If you’re fine by tomorrow morning, I’ll release you.”
A nurse wrapped Scarlett’s ankle before she was once more transferred to a wheelchair and taken up to a room. After being settled in the bed, a nurse came in to give her a shot for the pain. Carter had hovered nearby during her exam and treatment, she was surprised to find she was comforted by his presence. He turned to leave with the nurse when she stopped him.
