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“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.
“Would you stay with me until I fall asleep?”
“Uh, sure,” he agreed.
Scarlett smiled shyly. “It probably sounds dumb, but I just don’t want to be alone in here, you know? My mother died at Cedar-Sinai, and I’ve hated hospitals ever since.”
“What happened to her?”
“Cancer.” Scarlett didn’t give any more details, except to say, “We visited her every day, and my fear of hospitals sort of became a phobia. I really hate them.”
“I understand. I remember going to see my father at the hospital right before he died. I was nineteen at the time, but it was still frightening.”
“How did he die?”
“A car accident,” Carter said, his tone betraying no hint of emotion. “He held on long enough for my family to say goodbye, and I’m grateful I got the chance.”
“Were you close?”
Carter nodded once, sharply. “Very close. He was a wonderful father, and I only hope I’m half as good if I ever have children.”
“You want children?” Scarlett asked, mouth agape, she didn’t know how their conversation had taken this turn.
