AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s not your fault.” My teeth begin to chatter.
Shooting pain radiates from my leg. My head’s growing light and fuzzy, and my heart’s racing. I twist as he does the best he can with the limited supplies we have.
“You have to try to keep still.” His voice is calm, but with an edge that tells me I’m not doing so well. At least if I’m going to die of poison it’s while on an adventure. I could’ve been in my office and had a stroke. This is much better.
“I’m trying.” Dizziness is overtaking me and I’m not sure if I’m going to remain conscious for much longer. I don’t care. At this point, passing out will be a sweet relief.
“I’m going to get you help.” Blaze leans down and gently kisses my lips before he’s on his feet again. I feel the motion of the boat as he reverses from the dock and then floors it, in a much bigger hurry to get back than he was to arrive at the island. I give into the dizziness and let the darkness pull me under.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Courtney
Drifting in and out of consciousness, I prefer the blackness because when I’m awake, the burning throb hurts so much. Who could’ve guessed that two small puncture wounds could send pain throughout a person’s entire body? The hospital stay was a blur, I was so out of it. I barely remember Blaze bringing me into his home and laying me down. There are brief flashes of discomfort and confusion.
I’m foggy now as I blink my eyes open and try to focus on the slowly spinning ceiling fan, the dull throb in my leg letting me know it’s time to wake up, if only for a dose of pain meds. A sound escapes my throat and makes me jump before realizing I’m the one making the noise. Even so, panic invades me until I feel the soft touch of fingers against my cheek.
“You’re okay, Cori, I’m here with you,” Blaze whispers.
Turning my head, I find him lying next to me. My heart slows its erratic rhythm as I focus on the man who was so quick to respond during my emergency. I’m grateful he was with me. I’m not sure anyone else I know would’ve been so calm and reacted so quickly. My siblings love me and would want to help me but they would’ve been in full on panic mode. We’d probably stillbe on the dang island right now with my sis sending out videos begging her followers for help.
“Blaze.” My voice cracks as I speak his name. I close my mouth and try to clear my throat. I’m unbelievably thirsty, and not sure I can get the words out. It’s awful how weak I feel. Without me asking, he sits up and slowly lifts me into a sitting position before grabbing a glass of ice water with a straw.
“Take a drink. I’ll get your meds.”
My fingers tremble as I take the glass from him. He doesn’t let go until he’s sure I’m not going to drop it. When he leaves to get my meds, I have a moment of panic. It’s ridiculous. I’ve been on my own for a very long time and even being sick, or damaged as is the current case, I don’t want to lean on anyone — knowing it’s safest to count on myself.
“What happened?” I ask, trying to recall everything after the snakebite.
“I rushed you to the hospital and your leg was severely swollen. They gave you the antivenom and kept you overnight. You were in and out of consciousness. They released you this morning, saying there’s nothing we can’t do here that they were doing, and you’d be more comfortable in a real bed. So, I brought you home this morning. They said to give you the pain meds and to keep you warm and continuously monitor you. The swelling has already gone down and you responded well to the treatment.”
“I’m glad they let me out. I hate hospitals.”
“I remember.” He chuckles. “I’m not a big fan of them either.”
“We have to go to the next clue.” My voice is coming back and I’m afraid he’s going to finish the treasure hunt without me now that I’m injured. That just won’t do. I might’ve fought this like crazy in the beginning, but I’m involved now, and I want to see it through to the end. This injury won’t stop me.
Blaze chuckles again. “It’s not going anywhere. The doctor insisted on at least a few days of rest. We’ll reevaluate then.”
“You can’t do it without me.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
This helps me relax. I don’t understand why this journey is so important to me, but if it’s coming to an end, and he finishes without me, all of this would’ve been for nothing. Maybe I’m worried because I didn’t get closure with Blaze before, when I was a teenager. Maybe this is the closure I need to finally move on with my life.
“Where are we?” I look around at the unfamiliar bedroom.
“We’re at the ranch, in a guest house.”
“Not the cabin?”
“No, that’s a bit too rustic. We’re in one of the guest houses. It’s not luxurious, but I like it.”
“Me too.” And I do. I feel at home and completely comfortable — maybe too comfortable if I’m being honest. I haven’t been in this house before which shocks me. We christened many of the buildings on this ranch ten years before.
“I feel funny.” My head’s foggy and I’m so dang tired, though the sun’s coming in through the curtains and it’s obviously the middle of the day.
“The meds will make you a bit fuzzy, but without them you’ll be in a lot of pain.” He gives me more pills, and I take them without hesitating. I’m not a fan of pills, but I’m a worse fan of pain.
