Page 35 of High Intensity

“I’m Dr. Chahal. The girl’s looking better. Her stats have improved. We have an IV established. Fluids going in. Core temperature is coming up,” she reports quite businesslike. “Still unresponsive, which may be a way for her to cope after the incredible trauma she survived, but it could also be she’ssustained injuries we aren’t able to see on the outside. So, we will keep her sedated and run several tests and scans to make sure there is nothing we missed. She’ll be monitored closely at all times, but until we’ve had a chance to do what we need to do, I suggest you try to get some rest, Miss…”

She shoots me a pointed look.

“Call me Jillian,” I quickly fill in. “But she’s going to be all right?”

The woman smiles what I’m sure is meant as a reassuring smile, but comes across as a tired, perhaps mildly patronizing one.

“For now, I’m going to be reserved and say she’s not out of the woods yet, but what I’m seeing is encouraging. Get some rest, Jillian, and make sure to leave a number where you can be reached with the nurse.”

Then she turns her attention on Junior Ewing.

“And I’m sorry, Sheriff, but obviously anything you need to know from her is going to have to wait. This probably was a wasted trip for you.”

With that she makes her exit, but I have one more question for her.

“Dr. Chahal?” I call out as I dart into the hallway to catch her.

“Yes.”

She stops and turns around.

“I have a trained therapy dog I think might have a calming effect on Hayley when she wakes up. I’m more than happy to bring him in if that is something you are open to?”

She looks skeptical, and I prepare to get turned down, but her next question gives me hope.

“The dog is certified?”

“Yes. I can bring his papers,” I assure her, trying not to come across as too eager.

She studies me for a moment before giving me a curt nod.

“Sure. Call first, though.”

A few minutes later I’m walking out to the parking lot, flanked by Sheriff Ewing and Wolff.

“I take it you don’t have a vehicle here?” Junior observes. “I’ll be happy to give you a ride home. That is…” he adds, with a quick glance over my shoulder at Wolff.

His voice rumbles behind me.

“I’ve got her.”

Eleven

Jillian

“Just lay down, Nugget.”

I run my hand down his spine as he stretches out on the white sheets.

My girls are a little upset with me. Poor Peanut looked a little crestfallen when I left her behind, but children tend to respond better to Nugget, whose size is a little less intimidating. I got the stink eye from Emo, who probably feels left out as well, since the other two saw action yesterday, and wanted to make sure I knew it.

Last night when Wolff and I got home with a couple of pizzas, JD had just returned with the dogs. He’d taken them for a long walk, so it’s not like they didn’t get their exercise. Then today before I left the house, I took them for another good hike.

I called the hospital first thing this morning to see how Hayley did through the night. The nurse I spoke to said she was still sedated but was stable. She didn’t want to tell me more on the phone, but said she’d have Dr. Chahal get back to me.

The doctor called fifteen minutes later to let me know Hayley had three broken ribs, a concussion, and deep bruising covering a lot of her body, all of which she felt had been the result of the crash. She also had a few frostbitten fingertips, but other than that—and of course the emotional trauma—no other major injuries.

She also mentioned she was going to start waking Hayley up soon, so if I wanted to be there with the dog, I’d have to make tracks. Which I did.

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