Page 103 of Nave
“Why?”
“Because I think a lot of wrist injuries come from men grabbing and pulling their women by them. And it might be best to remove the possibility of her being questioned by the patient advocate or police.”
“Right,” I said, seeing her logic. “It’s up to you, Loll. If you want me there, I’m there. If you’d rather not take any chances, that’s okay too.”
“I don’t want to answer questions. But… but what about insurance and—”
“We will tell them to bill you,” Ariah cut her off. “And you don’t need to worry about the money.”
“But—”
“It’s handled, babe,” I assured her.
She didn’t have it in her to fight me on it.
Once I checked her over to make sure there was no blood on her, and Ariah grabbed her keys and pulled her dogs back inside, Lolly followed her outside.
“I will take care of Edith, don’t worry,” I assured Lolly. “And I am one call away if you decide you want me to come and sit with you, okay?”
“Okay,” she agreed, seeming to come out of her shock a bit. “Can I come back to the clubhouse after?”
“Absolutely. I’ll have some treats and a fuzzy blanket waiting.”
I leaned into the car, pressing a kiss to her cheek, then closed the door.
“Hey,” Ariah said, nodding at me.
“Thanks for this, Ria.”
“Don’t mention it. But don’t bring her back to the damn clubhouse. Not after a night like this. Get her a fancy room in a nice motel. A dog-friendly one,” she clarified.
That I could do.
I watched the two of them drive off before going to get Edith while making a call to Fallon and Brooks, giving them a clipped explanation of the events.
After that, I checked on Dezi and Kit. The latter of the two had put on mucking boots and was helping Dezi dig a hole—in her nightgown still.
Satisfied they had it handled, I walked back down toward the clearing, smelling the burning clothes in the fire pit as I went into Lolly’s motorhome to grab some of her things, then righted my bike, before taking Edith toward the crossover.
“You were a hero tonight, you know that?” I asked Edith. “Your mother is alive and free because of you.”
With that, I drove to the nicest hotel in the area, lucking out to find the presidential suite was available, and booked it for Lolly.
Without anything else to do, I sat on my phone, ordering snacks, fuzzy socks, a new blanket, and some other comfort items—as well as a bag of treats for Edith.
Then I waited.
And waited.
And waited.
I was about to grab the sleeping Edith and drive to the hospital when my phone finally beeped with a text from Ariah.
We’re on our way.
It was nearing dawn when I met the car out front of the hotel.
“Broken, huh?” I asked when I opened Lolly’s door to find a light pink cast on her wrist.
