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Wait, why am I in the hospital?
I try to sit up, and that's when the cowboy stands.
"Rose, sweetheart, don't try to move.Here, have some water," the cowboy says.Then he lifts a cup with a straw and holds it while I take a little bit of water, which feels soothing in my throat.
"Who is Rose?"I ask as I take another sip of water.
His brows furrow, and he opens his mouth like he's about to say something but stops when the doctor comes in.
"All right, let's see how you're doing, young lady," the doctor says, pulling out a flashlight and shining the light in my eyes.Then he begins asking me questions like if I remember what happened, what my name is, the year and the date, and finally, who the president is.
"Well dear, it looks like you have some amnesia, which is not uncommon with a head injury like yours.We're going to run a few more tests, but don't you worry.In most cases, your memories will slowly come back and you'll remember everything."
As the doctor prepares to leave, the cowboy says, "I’m going to be right back.Just going to talk to the doctor, and then I'll answer any questions that you have."Then he follows the doctor out into the hallway.
Looking around the hospital room, I see there are flowers and a few balloons and even an adorable teddy bear scattered around.Does that mean I have people in my life?Friends or family, right?
I try to wrap my brain around any memory that I can possibly remember.No friends, school, a family pet, but there’s nothing.It's just blank and very frustrating.Though I know things like what a bed is and the colors, and I have a vocabulary, but actual memories of names and places there's a blank space.The cowboy walks back in and sits down in the chair by my bed, and gently takes my hand.Even though I don't know him, his touch is comforting.
"Your name is Rose Hudson.You're twenty-two and in your senior year of college.You're home on spring break.And you’re mine."
When he says that last part, my heart skips a beat like it's saying yes.My heart knows this man, even if my brain doesn't.My body seems to know him too, and just by the touch of his hand, I'm embarrassingly wet for being in a hospital bed.
"What’s your name?"I whisper as our eyes lock.
Seeing those dark chocolate eyes on me is like a shock to my system.
"Miles Warner."
"Miles," I whisper, trying his name out, which makes his whole body shiver.
Then he spends a few minutes giving me a rundown on my life.Apparently, I grew up in the small town of Rock Springs where he now lives.My father passed away a year ago, and my stepmother is not so friendly.It's weird hearing about your life as if you're a third person looking in, especially when you don't remember any of it.
Miles never once lets go of my hand, and that feeling of safety remains.So, he's a state trooper.That means I can trust him, right?While I'm having a debate in my head, that's when a man in a police uniform appears in the doorway.After stopping a few feet into the room, he looks unsure.
"Rose, this is the town sheriff, Shane.He and your dad were friends," Miles says.
"I heard that you have amnesia and I want to just come in and talk to you.Miles here is a good man and he will take care of you.But I still want to give you my business card in case you need anything.You can call me any time of the day.I owe your dad at least that," the sheriff says, handing me his card with his phone number.Before he leaves, he and Miles share a look.
The rest of the day is spent with them running a few more tests on me before the doctor comes back in.
"Well, everything looks good, but you really shouldn't be left alone.Since Miles is here and said that he will take care of you, we're going to let you go home.Once you leave, you should follow up with a doctor.We'll give you a paper with some signs to watch for, but make sure you take it easy and no getting back up on a horse or trying to run any marathons or anything like that."The doctor chuckles at his own joke, but since I have no idea if I even like to run, to me it's not even funny.
"Are you all right with that, my Sleeping Beauty?Coming home with me and letting me take care of you?You were staying at your stepmom's place, but she has no desire to care for you, so I had your stuff moved to my place."
His jaw ticks every time he mentions my stepmother, and I feel like there's more of a story there.But my head is already spinning with everything from today, so I don't press for more information.If that woman wants nothing to do with me, then right now, I want nothing to do with her.
"A hot shower and a bed that is a lot more comfortable than this sound great,” I say.“And if I'm yours, is there really any question of me going home with you?"I ask because I feel it’s right.
His face changes from the soft version to what I imagine a lust-filled face would be.My body tingles and my core throbs.My body is telling me that I am his.
Then he proceeds to take care of everything.From my discharge, all the paperwork, and getting all the stuff that has been sent to my hospital room down to the truck.All I have to do is get dressed and enjoy the wheelchair ride out to the front.
He doesn't even let me walk from the wheelchair to his truck.Instead, he picks me up and sets me in the passenger seat.I start to wonder if he's always been like this with me, or if he's just being extra careful because of the accident that landed me in the hospital.
As we head home, he takes my hand in his and I watch everything that goes by my window, trying to search for any bit of memory that I might have.
As we enter the small town of Rock Springs, it looks familiar, but I don't really have a memory.Even though I keep trying to remember anything, it's so frustrating.How could I not know this town I grew up in and spent my entire life?I don't even remember walking down a single one of the sidewalks.
