Page 38 of No Bed Of Roses

Levi didn’t say anything to that, just held her.

She continued. “I’ve been thinking it’s time to reconnect with him. See if he wants to repair our relationship so that we’re at least on speaking terms. This can’t be him.”

Her voice shook, and his heart broke for her. “I’m sorry, Isla. I’m sure you’re right. We should start with Ed the Asshole.”

She huffed out a laugh. “Okay.”

Marcus squatted down by the window and passed them a blanket. “Cover yourselves with this. We’re going to smash the back window, and I don’t want you covered with any more glass. Will you be okay to crawl out, or should we cut open the car?”

Isla sighed. “My Elantra is toast, isn’t she?”

Marcus nodded. “Afraid so, but she did her job in protecting you both. She died an honorable death.”

When her small laugh actually held humor, Levi was thankful for his buddy. “We’ll be able to crawl out. Thanks.”

Levi spread the blanket over the two of them and angled so his body protected her.

“Maybe we can stay in a blanket fort forever.”

He kissed her head. “Probably not, but I think I see some fun with blanket forts in our future.”

After he took care of whichever asshole was trying to hurt her.

CHAPTER 13

Growing Pains

Isla crawled out of the car first. She moved as quickly as possible so that Levi could get out, too. No one thought the car was in danger of exploding, but she needed to know he was safe, that whoever was targeting her wasn’t going to hurt him. And the man refused to leave the car first.

Mitch and Marcus eased her to a standing position, and then a woman she hadn’t met before smiled at her. “Hi, Isla. I’m Doctor Lia Moreno. I’m a friend of Tansy’s, and I’d like to check you over.”

Isla nodded even as she turned back to check on Levi. He crawled out of the car, and his eyes met hers as he rose. Relief made her a little woozy, and she sat on the hill where Lia indicated.

Levi moved directly to her and took her hand. “Are you dizzy? Does anything feel worse after crawling? Where do things hurt?”

Lia laughed. “I think those are very good questions. Hi, Levi. I’m Lia Moreno, a doctor and a friend of everyone here. I’d like to check you both out.”

Levi nodded. “I’m fine. Make sure Isla is.”

Lia grinned. “Great. Now we’ve established that you’re both more worried about the other person than yourselves. Why don’t I quickly check you both, starting with Isla so Levi doesn’t get any growlier?”

Isla couldn’t help but laugh, and Levi’s eyes widened as he stared at the doctor. Then he rolled his eyes and sat beside Isla while the doctor checked them over and asked a ton of questions.

Lia smiled at them both when she was done. “I think you’re both very lucky. Car roll overs can cause lots of damage. Neither of you has a concussion, and your seat belts and air bags did their job. You’re going to have bruises, especially from the seat belts. Everything will probably ache for a few days, and headaches are to be expected. But you’re both okay and exceedingly lucky. If anything changes, I want you to call me immediately, day or night. I have an office in Phail, but I spend time at Midnight Lake. Either way, call me and I’m not far. Any questions?”

Isla shook her head. “Not at the moment. Thank you.”

Lia smiled. “You’re very welcome. And I’m serious about calling. Even if it’s simply to talk things through. Being in a rollover is traumatic enough. Hearing that it appears to be a targeted attack makes it worse. If you need help working through that trauma, let me know.”

Isla swallowed against the tears. “Thank you.”

Lia packed up her bag and moved to climb the hill behind them.

Isla leaned into Levi’s shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around her. “You doing okay?” His voice was for her ears only.

She shrugged. “We’re alive and okay.”

He nodded and kissed her hair. “And we’re going to stay that way. Both of us.”

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