AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She grabbed the bottle from me, reading the label. “It’ll do for now. Can you ease Kalani up from the bed very gently and I mean gently?”
“This isn’t my thing, Doc.”
“Don’t call me a doctor and from what I can tell, our roles aren’t what either one of us thought they’d be. Do this, Santiago. Now. I need your help.”
There was such conviction in her voice as well as a strength that I admired more than I’d been able to tell her. I did as she asked, kneeling by the bed and tenderly sliding my arm under the girl. She looked terrified, clenching the fingers of her uninjured arm around the bedding. I could also tell she was trying to be brave, but as tears fell, a strange pang sliced through my heart. What if this was Willow lying here, injured at a time I couldn’t provide adequate medical attention?
“Kalani. I need to give you medicine.” Willow held out the pillows, lifting the bottle of water.” At least the girl nodded. “The pain will be excruciating so hold her still and try not to jar her shoulder.”
Willow was very calm, her smile never wavering as Kalani let off an intense scream, panting, tears sliding down her cheeks. Fuck. I was hurting the poor girl. She was so tiny, maybe ninety pounds if that. I was terrified that I’d break her.
“That’s it. Here you go.” Willow eased the pills into Kalani’s mouth, pouring several swallows of water into her mouth. “Ease her down but take the pillow away. It’s adding pressure.”
“What now?”
“As soon as your friend brings something for her to bite down on, then we’re resetting her shoulder.”
“Is that something you can do?”
She nodded. “It needs to be done so that’s exactly what’s going to happen.”
Jameson appeared seconds later with a thick wooden spoon. “Will this do?”
“Perfect.” I backed away, taking deep breaths.
“I’ll be downstairs,” he said as he narrowed his eyes. Why did I have the feeling he was still trying to figure out who she was?
“I need your belt, Santiago. Once her shoulder is relocated, her arm must stay immobilized.”
I knew exactly what she was trying to do. After yanking the strap free, I waited for Willow’s direction. “Are you certain it will fit?”
She gave me a half laugh. “Trust me.”
“You’re going to hold her down blocking her face while I snap it back into position. I only have one shot without possibly tearing her muscle.” I could tell how nervous she was.
“Relax, Willow. Just breathe. Remember you can do anything you want to.”
“Tell me that later.” She rubbed her arm across her forehead and moved toward the girl. “It might be crazy, but I’m going to sing to her as I do this. Okay?”
“You’re the doc.”
“Kalani. I need you to bite down on this for me. It’s going to hurt, but I promise you’ll be okay.” She did her best to show the girl what she was asking for, breathing a sigh when Kalani accepted the wooden handle in her mouth.
Willow swallowed hard then rubbed the wet towel across the girl’s head, smiling down at her. As soon as she eased a portion over her eyes, she gave me a nod.
I crawled onto the bed, straddling Kalani as Willow started to sing. She had the voice of an angel, the lilting sound some of the sweetest music I’d ever heard. She took the time to brush her fingers down Kalani’s neck before tenderly wrapping her hands around the girl’s arm. After she gave me another look, I pressed down, holding Kalani in place.
Willow’s action was swift, but the bloodcurdling scream was one I knew Willow would remember for a long time. She backed away, taking gasping breaths then pulled the belt into her hands, carefully guiding it under the girl’s slender body. When Kalani’s arm was completely immobilized, Willow removed the spoon, bending down by the bed, the song continuing.
“Will you tell her parents they can return now?” she asked as she peered up at me, mouthing ‘thank you.’
“I will. You’re in good hands, Kalani.” Whether or not the girl understood me at all I didn’t wait to find out. I’d never considered wanting or having a family. When several of my buddies had gotten married while on active duty, I’d refused to allow myself to care about anyone. Although I wanted to tell myself that I’d never regretted the decision, the last few years of soul searching had made me realize I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life in loneliness and heartache.
The one piece of relationship advice my father had given me was the first time he’d taken me out for a beer on my twenty-first birthday. He’d told me that women were the backbone of every man and that once I found the right woman, I’d know because my palms would be sweaty all the time around her.
I’d laughed at him, calling him a romantic.
I backed away into the hall, leaning against the wall and lifting my hands. They were sweaty. Not from the humid air or the rainstorm. Not from the anxiety over the condition of the girl, but because I’d found the right woman. She was forbidden, my job on the line.
