Page 9 of Falling

“Whatever you need to tell yourself.” I ignore the grin he throws at me. “Well, here we are.” He pulls up next to my SUV and gives me directions to the emergency room. I throw Geneva’s pack inside.

Spinning out of the parking area, I speed toward town. It’s a half hour before I reach the hospital.

“Geneva Randolph, please,” I ask the woman at the desk. She waves me to a row of curtains. I walk quickly down the row until I find her propped up in one of the beds. “Hey, how’s the ankle?”

“Well, it’s not broken,” an older man in a lab coat walking up says. He’s carrying an iPad in his hands. “The good news is, it’s just sprained. A couple of days of ice and rest should have you going again. Leave it wrapped until tomorrow, then I suggest you invest in a brace.” He tosses one on the bed. “Use an anti-inflammatory as needed.” He nods at us and walks off down the hall.

“Okay. I’d guess bedside manners are not his strong suit,” I say.

“Whatever. Just help me out of here.” She hops off the table and grimaces. I wrap my arm under her, grab the brace, and we awkwardly hobble out from behind the curtain. We stop at the desk for her to sign some paperwork.

My car is right out front where I left it. I was too concerned about Geneva to bother finding a parking spot. Fortunately, it’s late enough that no one has towed it off.

“Are you hungry?” I ask after settling her in the passenger side.

“I am, but can you just make something at the cabin? I’m more desperate for a shower than food. And I’m supposed to prop my stupid foot up.”

“Here, let me have your foot.” She looks at me like I’m crazy. “Let me have your foot.” She rolls her eyes but scoots around in the seat until her foot is resting on my leg. I slide the Land Rover into gear. “What would you like to eat?”

“Anything. I could eat that fabled bear you mentioned at this point. But more french toast would not go untouched.”

“Whatever you’d like,” I say with a grin. It’s what she always wants if she’s had a bad day. “It wasn’t all bad, was it?” She considers me for a beat.

“It was amazing up until my stupidity. Even then, the scenery was still beautiful.” She laughs. “And I got to see Peter Winsloe hulk out like a badass. Nothing could top that.”

four

GENEVA

The night was rough.Peter insisted I sleep in his bedroom while he slept on the couch. Just in case I needed anything. It was a nice gesture, but being surrounded by sheets that smell like Peter made for a long night. It quite possibly could have been what led to several fantasy dreams he starred in.

At least my ankle is feeling a little better. I push to a sitting position and try putting weight on it. Yep, still tender. Carefully, I stand on one leg. Hopping into the living room, I find him sitting on the couch with a far-off look in his eyes. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear he’s hungover.

“What’s up?” I ask, joining him on the couch. He slowly swings his head to look at me.

“I think I’m broken.”

“How so?”

“I can barely move. My muscles are screaming.” That sounds a bit melodramatic, but who am I to judge?

“Okay. When do we have to check out?”

“Whenever. The guy said he doesn’t have anyone coming in behind us so we can take as much time as we want. I don’t think it’s a bad idea to stay an extra night if we want. I can push everything a day.”

“We’ll see. Here’s what we’re going to do for now though. You get naked; I’m running you a bath.” I stand on one leg and hold my hand out to pull him up. He studies it for a minute before shrugging and taking it. It takes a few minutes, but between our combined efforts, he finally makes it upright.

“After you get out of the tub, wrap a towel around your waist and lay down on the bed. I have something that will help with the soreness.”

Peter must truly be in a lot of pain because he doesn’t even argue with me. He follows me into the bathroom. Stripping down to his underwear (which takes an act of Congress), he waits while I add Epsom salts to the bath. He stares at the water.

“Do you need help getting in?” I ask.

“I’m good.” He pushes off the wall.

“Okay. Be careful, I made the water pretty hot. But you need to soak for a while. The salt should help draw some of the soreness out.”

“I know what Epsom salts do.”

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