AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He shrugged. “Take it for yourself, Charley.”
Charley started at his use of her nickname. She hadn’t told him her name at the Round, and it wasn’t on her insurance card.
“How do you know I’m called Charley?”
Dog looked a little chagrined, and that tinge of pink graced his cheeks again. “Told you I looked for your insurance card. Obituary fell out.” He paused a moment before he continued. “I’m sorry about your dad.”
Dog actually did look sorry. Charley would have never pegged a big, bad biker being that sweet.
“Thanks. He was a huge influence on me. A force to be reckoned with. I miss him every day. He’s why I do what I do.”
And why she couldn’t let the firm go. It was all she had left of him.
“I need to answer these texts. Put out fires. I appreciate all you’ve done for me—the tire, bringing my purse, and heaven help me, spending the night in the waiting room. But you must be exhausted. Go home and get some rest.”
Dog raised an eyebrow. “You’re from Charlotte. You got anybody up this way?”
She shook her head. “No, but—”
“Then I’m stayin’.”
Charley stared at him. He seemed sincere. Being alone in the hospital would stink, and getting to know this dichotomy of big, bad biker with a kind heart would certainly be interesting. Not to mention he was easy on the eyes. But she couldn’t impose.
Charley shook her head. “Dog—”
He leaned back and propped his ankle on his knee. “I’m stayin’,” he said as he crossed his arms over his granite chest.
Well, alrighty then. She guessed he was staying.
Charley returned her focus to the text screen and typed her response to Jennifer.
Me: Sorry I’ve been out of touch. Phone died last night, and something happened. I’m in the hospital, and I don’t know for how long.
She hit send. Almost immediately, the little dots indicating a response-in-progress appeared, and then the text itself.
Jennifer(12:33pm):R u alright? What do u need?
Me: Just hold down the fort. I’m waiting for the doctor to give me answers. I’ll let you know when I have some.
Jennifer(12:35pm):PLEASE let me know when u hear something. After ur dad…
Jennifer had loved Charley’s dad. She was almost as heartbroken as Charley was when he passed.
Me: I will. Promise.
A knock sounded on the door, and Dog got up to answer it. A male orderly in dark teal scrubs walked in holding two trays.
“Hello. I’m Ben. I have your lunch.” He placed one tray on the table next to the bed and rolled it single-handed to Charley. On the tray, condensation rolled down a plastic cup that looked like it contained iced tea, probably sweetened. She lifted the cover from the plate and found broiled chicken, boiled potatoes and green beans. Another container held fresh fruit. Either that was dessert, or she wasn’t getting any.
Ben walked over to Dog and handed him the other tray. Dog’s eyebrows shot up.
“I know, right?” Ben said. “You must have made quite the impression on Nurse Lopez. She made sure you got lunch.”
Dog took his cover off, and a fried chicken breast rested on the plate along with chocolate cake. The smell of greasy goodness filled the room.
“Hey! How come he gets dessert and fried chicken?” Charley stuck out her lower lip. “Tell Nurse Lopez I demand a lunch like his.”
“Sorry, chica,” Ben said with an apologetic look. “Your chart says low fat. Doctor’s orders. Nothing fried for you. Try to enjoy Mission Hospital’s take on healthy food.”
