Page 60 of Stables

She squints at me before tossing the manilla envelope down. “When you get done there, this one’s next. Don’t worry, it’s almost quitting time.”

I give her a curt nod.

I need to get the hell out of here. I’m no good to anyone if I’m not paying attention.

But who knows how long I’ll be in this pattern? Matt will likely be a long term threat, unless I get a hold of him again.

Squeezing my fist against my thigh doesn’t get rid of the nagging ache to get back to Char.

Maybe I need to bring her here with me?

I glance around the eight by ten closet that I call a work space.

No, what the hell would they do here besides go absolutely stir crazy?

Damn it all.

After seeing the last patient of the day, I can’t pack up fast enough.

“See you tomorrow, Dr. McCullough,” Maggie calls after me as I stride from the ER.

I’m pretty sure I only grunt as a response.

There’s this gnawing in my gut the entire drive that becomes a stabbing pain when I pull in her driveway and don’t see Libby’s truck in the yard.

Flying out of the driver’s seat, I skip completely over the steps to leap onto the front porch, pushing through the door.

“Char? Are you okay?” Panic threatens to work its way into my voice.

My heart beats in my ears as I strain to listen to the silence that greets me.

Fuck. What did Matt do?

Dust lazes through the fading beams of sun that spray across the back of the flowered couch.

“Char? Paisley?” It’s only two steps into the empty kitchen.

Five more to pass Paisley’s dark room and make it to Char’s.

The neatly made comforter screams in loneliness as I stare at it.

I don’t see any sign of a struggle, but it doesn’t prove anything.

Pain lances through me and squeezes my chest.

Barn.

Please be there.

My scrubs bind my thighs when I run, but it just spurs me faster.

It’s only when I hear Paisley giggle that I slow down.

“Char?” Do I sound upset? I don’t want to scare her.

“Back here!” A hint of laughter tinges her yell.

By the time I’ve dropped to a walk, I have my breathing under control and my pulse has leveled.

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