Page 21 of Call Sign: Thunder
ALLIE
Allison kept her eyes closed tightly. She was so sick of doctors, nurses, investigators, police, and even her father pelting her with questions. Each time she'd been forced to relive any details of the kidnapping, another small piece of her died. Killing off her erratic emotions was the only way she was coping.
The nightmare of her kidnapping wasn't the only vision Allie kept replaying in her head, over and over, like a record set on repeat. She'd spent all of her alone time trying to remember everything she could about her hero, as it was preferable to the trauma of the kidnapping. Captain Zachary Garrett. She knew his last name now.
How she wished she could get some rest, but every time she succumbed to sleep, the horror of what had happened consumed her slumber, bringing with it memories she'd hoped to forget. She'd awoke each time in a cold sweat, heart pounding and tears falling. No, by staying awake she at least controlled her thoughts.
The drugs had dulled her memory, but they couldn't dull the thrill she got as she remembered her handsome hero. His rescue mission was the kind of scene dreams were made of. Handsome hero saves damsel in distress. That shit was only supposed to happen in romance novels, not real life.
The door opened and closed. She didn't dare crack her eyes for fear of being detected. It was probably her father again, insisting they leave as soon as possible so he could get her home where she could forget the whole nightmare had happened.
Allie had a rude awakening for him. She would never forget what had happened. Not for as long as she lived. He meant well. He was worried about her, but she wanted to scream at him to leave her alone. His judgmental hovering was only making her feel worse.
Her visitor stood at the side of the bed — their shadow blocking the late afternoon sunlight coming through the window.
"Allie? Are you awake, honey?"
It was him! He'd come.
"Zach! You came!" She threw back the cover on the bed, sitting bolt upright and flinging into his arms with relief. She'd begun to wonder if her memory had played tricks on her—had he been real?
The sound of his soft chuckle comforted Allie more than she wanted to admit. "Of course I came. I told you I would."
"Daddy said they weren't going to let you visit me."
"Yeah, well Daddy must have been wrong."
She melted against his strong body, loving how he held her tight. Involuntary tears pricked at her eyes as he stroked her long hair with one hand and held her waist hard against him. He released her too soon. She wanted to stay in his arms. It was the only place she felt truly safe.
"Let me get a good look at you." Zach reclined her back against her pillows and looked down at her with a serious look. His eyes examined her from head to toe, taking stock of her injuries. "I see they have your wrists wrapped. That's good. Did they give you a tetanus shot?"
"I think so."
"I'll be sure to check your chart. Did you have to have any stitches?"
"No."
"Did they draw your blood to figure out what the drug was?"
"Yes. They sent it off to be tested."
"How about flushing your system. Have they…" He leaned in close enough that she caught his masculine scent that had calmed her while he held her on the flight back to base.
Allison couldn't take the twenty questions a minute longer, holding up her hand as a silent stop sign.
"Yes. They had me on IV's. The drug has been washed out of my system. No, I'm not in as much pain. Yes, my head hurts when it's time for pain meds. No, they aren't letting me get dehydrated." She was being a total bitch, snapping. She didn't understand why.
Zach grinned at her. "I see you've got your spirit back."
She sighed. "I'm tired of being poked and prodded, you know?"
He sat down on her bed next to her left hip, turning to face her. "I do know. I haven't been poked and prodded, but interrogated over and over, like they thought my story was going to change."
"God, I hate that you are being treated like that when you were my hero. They should give you a medal of honor!"
"I'd settle for a simple thank you or good job."
Allison reached for his hand and he twined their fingers together. "I don't remember all of the details, which I guess is an okay thing. Just in case I didn't say it last night… Thank you, Zach. From the bottom of my heart… thank you. I know without a doubt I wouldn't have made it out of there alive without you saving me."
