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“I need to make sure you’re not more hurt than you think. I need to make sure it’s not going to hurt you worse to wait a couple days before seeking more treatment.”
“What do you mean treatment?”
Bubba took a deep breath and forced himself to slow down and explain.
“Sweetheart, I get why you don’t want to go to the hospital. Someone will call your daddy. But I need to make sure you’re not seriously hurt. I need to be sure he didn’t break anything or crack a rib, and if he did, we need to know so we can deal with it.”
Celia’s eyes filled with tears as she stared at him. “How would we do that? How would we know?”
“I’ve got a little training. Enough to know if it’s beyond my means. And if I decide you need to be seen I have a few tricks up my sleeve to keep it from being reported to your dad.” He didn’t tell her if she needed to be seen, he wouldn’t be taking her to a hospital, at least not one designed for humans. “Come on, sweetheart, on your feet and strip. At least to your skivvies. I need to make sure you’re good to travel.” He curled his fingers at her, trying to calm her nerves.
ChapterFour
Sissy sat on the edge of the bed she’d claimed as her own in her bra and panties, feeling like the biggest idiot around. She’d always thought women who stayed with men who abused them were stupid. Now she found herself in that very position and all she wanted to do was hide because she couldn’t believe she’d been so foolish.
She wouldn’t meet Cole’s gaze as he gently touched and prodded each bruise, cut and mark Troy had given her the night before. Every touch hurt, but Sissy clenched her teeth and refused to make a sound. Cole was trying to help, not hurt her more and she wasn’t going to make him feel worse for causing her more pain.
“He did a number on your ribs.” Cole’s fingers on her hips gently spun her so he could get a look at her back. He touched and pressed a few more spots. Sissy knew her back had taken the worst of it, as she’d curled into a ball to protect herself as much as she could, but she hadn’t wanted to see how bad it looked when she’d gotten dressed this morning.
“I don’t think anything’s broken. Probably just bruised your ribs, but there might be a couple cracks. Can’t be sure without an x-ray.”
She started to speak, but he kept talking and she quieted.
“I’m not going to insist on x-rays. But we’re going to be careful with you, whatever we decide to do.” He tossed her shirt back at her. “You can put your clothes on but lose the bra. I can’t imagine how you got that on or how you can stand to wear it.”
Sissy winced at the throb the quick movement of catching the shirt caused and moved more slowly to pull it back on. It was a long shirt that fell to below her hips, so she felt covered and didn’t worry about putting her pants back on.
“We need to figure out what our next step is. The farther you are away from your father and his circle of influence, the safer you’ll be. Do you have somewhere in mind?”
Sissy shook her head. “I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I know I’ve got to get away. If I stay here, Daddy will step in.” Sissy shook her head.
Her father loved her, she had no doubt of that. But he also believed women should do what they were told and that a man had the right to tell his woman what to do, and make sure she did it. She shook her head.
“I don’t know if I can stand up to him, not here where everyone will back him up.”
Sissy didn’t ever remember Daddy hitting her mother. He hadn’t needed to. Momma had been a quiet, reserved woman who did whatever Daddy asked and often didn’t have to be asked. Sissy had always wondered how she had managed to be so different than either of her parents but had never figured it out.
“I want to take you home with me. I’ve got an extra bedroom you can have, and I’ll keep you safe.”
“Where’s home?” She remembered the single wide trailer Cole had grown up in. But he hadn’t spent more than a day or two in Mobile since they’d gotten out of school ten years before. Still, if it meant being safe with him, she’d go anywhere. This part of the country was no longer home to him and she had no idea where was.
“Arizona. Tucson to be specific.”
Sissy tilted her head and tried to remember if she’d ever heard Daddy talk about Arizona. She didn’t think so, but she could be wrong, obviously, it wouldn’t be the first time.
“All right. When do we leave?” She glanced around the room. She didn’t have anything to pack. She had nothing but her purse and the cash she’d pulled from the bank this afternoon.
Cole took a deep breath and glanced around the room.
“We should probably pull out tonight, but you’ve had a long day, I’ve already been on the road for twelve hours and I don’t think your dad will come looking here any time soon.” His head jerked back to look at her. “What name did you register under?”
“I didn’t. Corey registered. I don’t know what name he used. I never went into the office, and I haven’t stepped foot outside since I came into the room.”
“Good. We should be safe enough here for the night. No one will recognize my truck. I didn’t have it the last time I was in town.” He watched her for a moment then glanced at the door. “You mind if I grab my bag and take a shower? I need at least a few hours’ sleep before we hit the road again.”
“Go for it.” She tilted her head toward the door. “I might be able to sleep myself now that you’re here.”
He watched her a moment longer, as if he wanted to say something more, then without another word, went to the door and out. He was back less than two minutes later, locked the door and flipped the latch that would keep out even people with a key, then headed to the bathroom and disappeared inside.
