Page 82 of Unforgiven

“We’re sure glad you’re here,” she said, glancing up at him. “Your girlfriend has been asking for you.”

The new title caught him off guard, but he couldn’t deny that it felt right. “I got here as soon as I could. How is she?”

“Fortunately, her nose isn’t broken, but she’s sustained quite a few other injuries. Her shoulder was dislocated, and the way she fell injured it further. She’s already had X-rays and is waiting for a CT scan. That’ll show if anything has torn.”

“If there is?”

“That’s for the doctor to say, but surgery is a possibility.” She hesitated, then added, “Oh, and her wrist is broken as well.”

“The same arm?”

“All on her right. Is she right-handed?”

“I think so.” How did he not know that?

They walked through silver doors that opened automatically. The atmosphere was buzzing in the ER. Curtains and cubicle walls divided each patient area, and there were wheeled stainless-steel carts of equipment parked in the hall. Orderlies were either standing next to gurneys or pushing patients down the hall, and nurses and doctors were speaking in soft tones, glancing at computers or at phone screens. It reminded him of an ant farm. Everyone had a job and was focused on it.

The nurse stopped outside a curtained partition. “She’s just in here, Mr. Zimmerman.” She lowered her voice. “She’s got a black eye, but it looks worse than it is. Try not to worry about that. Also, we’ve given her pain medication and a mild sedative. She might seem a little groggy, but that’s to be expected.”

He nodded. Then, after bracing himself, he pushed aside the curtain, peeked in, and saw Tabitha.

She wore a blue-and-white hospital gown and had several monitors attached to her. She was sitting up, though, and awake.

When she caught sight of him, tears filled her brown eyes. “You came.”

“Of course I did,” he said as he approached. “I’m sorry it took me so long.”

“That’s you, Seth. Always attempting to take on the burden of things that aren’t your fault.” She swiped at her eye with the side of her left hand.

“Hey now,” he murmured. “Everything’s going to be all right. Leon is in custody.”

“I know.” She hiccupped. “I don’t like being here, though. I hate this place.”

Unable to help himself, he ran a hand along her cheek. There was a faint bruise near her mouth. And her left eye was swollen and a horrible dark purple color. He was glad the nurse had prepared him for how she’d look. “I can understand that. Hospitals can be scary places.”

“I think being here again is bringing back memories of when I was here the last time.” She swiped her cheek again. “Of course, I don’t even remember being in the ambulance last time.”

“You’re hurt, but you’ll get better.”

“You sound so sure.”

“That’s because I am, because I’m going to help you.” He hoped she understood everything that he wasn’t saying—that he was willing to do whatever it took to make sure she felt safe, secure, and as pain-free as possible.

“I know you will.”

The curtain slid to the side a bit, and then Donna led in a doctor who wore scrubs and a stethoscope around his neck.

“Hello again, Tabitha.” He smiled at Seth. “It looks like you’ve got some company.”

“Jah. This is Seth.”

“And you are?”

“Her boyfriend.”

Tabitha’s eyes widened but she didn’t correct him.

“I’m Dr. Kintz.” He held out his hand. “Good to meet you.”

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