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“Right.” The doctor gave her a tight smile. “I’ll see you in two weeks.”
As soon as the door closed behind the doctor, Shelby said, “Help me up.”
“You just woke from a coma.” He stepped up beside her. “Don’t you think it’s a little too soon for you to stand?”
“You heard the doctor. As soon as I can walk down the hall and back, I’m out of here.” She gripped his arm with one hand and eased off the bed. When she landed on her feet, she realized for the first time that she was wearing ugly yellow hospital socks with skid-proof dots across the souls.
Fortunately, her legs held her weight, if a little shakily. But, by God, she’d make it to the end of the hall and back if it killed her.
“I hate hospitals,” she muttered, leaning heavily on Remy.
“Yeah,” he said. “Me, too. Come on. Let’s get you there and back.”
As they started for the door, Remy slipped an arm around her back and then stopped short. “Uh, you might want to rethink the hospital gown situation.”
Heat filled Shelby’s cheeks. With her free hand, she reached behind her to close the gap.
“Can you stand on your own for a second?” Remy asked.
Shelby nodded.
He let go of her, opened one of the cabinets in the room and pulled out a fresh hospital gown. He shook out the folds and held it out. “Wear it like a robe.”
Shelby slid her arms into the gown and tied it in the front, giving Remy a weak smile. “Thanks. I hate being a burden.”
“You’re not a burden.”
“That’s right. You’re here to protect. It’s your job.” She started toward the door without his help. When her knees wobbled, he was there instantly, his arm wrapping around her waist.
“Everyone who knows you, knows you’re a badass,” he murmured. “You don’t have to be strong all the time.”
“If I want out of here, I sure as hell do.” For all her bravado, she still leaned into him, angry at how weak she was from her ordeal.
“You’ll be back to your old self before you know it,” Remy said.
She glanced over at him, her brow furrowing. “Complete with memories?”
“You heard the doctor.” He grinned. “Most likely. Count yourself lucky. Some brain injuries are so severe, the patient loses all memories and has to be taught the basics all over, like how to hold a spoon or tie her shoes.”
“Okay,” she snapped. “I get the picture. I wasn’t lucky to be attacked, but I’m lucky my injuries aren’t severe. Let’s roll.”
“Touchy.” Remy pulled the door open and stepped out into the hall with Shelby.
She started out walking slowly, getting used to the skid-proof socks. As her muscles remembered how to work properly, she leaned less on Remy and stood straighter.
By the time they reached the end of the hall, she felt much better, to the point she didn’t need Remy’s arm around her anymore.
But she didn’t ask him to remove it. She liked how strong and muscular it was and how it made her feel protected. Like a shield against a potential attacker.
She was still in shock over the fact that someone had tried to kill her in the bayou and in the hospital. Who would do such a thing?
As they closed in on their starting point and the end of her endurance run, a big man with broad shoulders and a fierce scowl emerged from her room.
Shelby stepped back into the curve of Remy’s arm.
“It’s okay,” Remy said. “He’s with me.”
She frowned. “You didn’t say anything about having a partner.”
