Page 13 of Pax

“I feel like a burger at my favorite spot,” smiled Pax. “The sun is out, it’s warming up. What do you say?”

“Uh, yeah, sure.” He watched as she pulled the cap down over her face again, her hair covering the sides of her face.

“Dee, I know you’re self-conscious but wearing your hat and hair like that makes people think that I hit you. Like Aaron this morning. He’s seen it before.”

“Oh.” She pulled the hat back a bit and tucked her hair behind her ears. “Better?”

He moved closer to her, pulling her against his own body, as one big arm wrapped around her waist. She was warm, smelling like lilacs and vanilla. He tucked the hair further behind her ear and kissed her passionately, deeply, lingering.

“You are so fucking beautiful,” he said, shaking his head. “No one compares to you, Dee. No one.”

“I don’t know how you can say that,” she said, shaking her head.

“Because it’s the truth, and I love you.”

They walked to the small bar with an outdoor patio, taking a seat in the sunlight. They both ordered a beer and a burger, the whole time Pax not letting go of her hand.

“Pax? Do you really believe that this warm water will help me?” she asked.

“I know it will. I can’t explain it here or now, but it will. Are you hurting?” he asked, concerned.

“A little. My jaw especially, but I’m also noticing I’m having trouble breathing through my nose. Kennedy and Gabi said it might happen but that they could fix it.”

“I think we need to get back to Belle Fleur, Deanna. Will you let me call them? They can be here by this evening.”

“Can we come back here? I mean, just for a little while. The peace and quiet has been so good for me, and the house feels amazing.”

“We will come back here. I promise,” he said, kissing her.

“Alright, then let’s get home. I think I need to see Kennedy and Gabi.”

Pax started to worry about Deanna and her pain level. She hadn’t complained once since all of this started, and now, she was struggling and was asking for a doctor. That told him a lot about her. She wasn’t a complainer, she was brave as fuck, and she didn’t always do the right thing for herself.

Quickly texting home, they sent Autumn for them, meeting at the small regional airport.

“Do we need to take our things?” asked Deanna.

“Nope. We’ll be back in a few days. I guarantee it.”

“Well, there’s my runaway patient,” frowned Gabi.

“I’m sorry, Gabi. I just needed to get away for a while,” she said, lowering her gaze. Gabi touched her chin, forcing her to look up.

“Honey, I’m not mad. I was worried about you, terrified that you wouldn’t call if you started having problems, and apparently, I was right. Pax says you’re experiencing pain.”

“My jaw and I’m struggling to breathe through my nose.” Gabi forced her head backwards, shining the light into her nasal passages. Frowning, she looked back at Pax, then began touching her jaw.

“When did the jaw pain start?”

“Almost right away,” said Deanna.

“It wasn’t fully healed, Deanna. I think you must have inadvertently hit it or eaten something that jarred it slightly askew. It’s not completely dislocated, but I’m betting it hurts like a bitch.”

Deanna had tears rolling down her cheeks, and Pax held her, holding her tightly.

“Take her to the pond.”

“That’s it?” she asked. “You’re sending me for a swim?”

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