Page 87 of Fatal Vision
Although the ten million pieces his truck was in and the hole in the side of the house suggested it was more than one.
“We’re done here, Ms. Claiborne,” the doctor said. “You shouldn’t have much of a scar—I’m known around here for small stitches.” He gave an egotistical smile as he patted Shelby on the shoulder. “We’ll call in a prescription for you, and you should follow up with your family physician in the next day or so.”
Shelby gave her Miss Oklahoma all-teeth-and-sweetness smile that had won her more than a few points with judges through the years. “Thank you so much, Dr. Allen. A girl never likes to have a scar. I’ll tell Daddy what a sweetheart you were about all of this. He’ll be thrilled to hear your folks are fans of his show.” She touched his arm. “Would you be a doll and look at my husband for me while you’re here? Please?”
She batted her eyes and Colton rolled his. He’d already refused treatment at least three times. “I’m fine, Shelby.”
“Sugarbeet,” the nurse said, handing him yet another gauze pad. “You need stitches in your head as well as that eyebrow. Get your butt on the exam table and let the doctor do his thing.”
The blast had thrown Colton backward into the kitchen against the cabinets. He didn’t know how, but he’d gotten several deep gashes, probably from flying debris. The cut on his lip stung but was the least of his injuries.
Being slammed into the cabinets had bruised up his back. It had been awhile since he’d been in this much pain.
“Come on, Colton.” Shelby allowed the doctor to help her off the gurney. The nurse held the wheelchair for her and she sank into it. “You’re no help to any of us if you’rebleeding on everything.”
“Listen to your wife,” the nurse chimed in, grabbing his arm and pulling him out of the chair.
Did he have a choice?
Grumbling under his breath, he climbed up onto the gurney, wincing at the pain in his back. He needed to get to the house to hunt for clues. He needed to get Shelby to a safe house. He needed to be upstairs outside the OR with his friend.
How could one man be in three places at once?
Colton needed one of Beatrice’s miracles.
The doctor started to give him an injection of lidocaine to numb the skin around his eyebrow. Colton twisted away. “No meds. Just sew it up.”
Dr. Allen, young and full of himself, chuckled. “Tough guy. Gotta be in front of your wife here, huh? I get it. I’d be the same way.”
He winked at Shelby and it was all Colton could do not to strangle the man.
“My husband was a Navy SEAL,” Shelby volunteered, her clear gaze full of adoration as she nailed Colton with her sugary sweet smile. “Believe me, tough doesn’t begin to describe him.”
Shelby had made sure to tell everyone he was her husband, not her ex. And although he never mentioned his military service to the general population, she was more than happy to in this situation.
Bonus points.That’s what she was doing—earning them by flirting with the doctor and trying to make Colton more likable since his surly attitude could alienate more allies than the current president.
He started to reprimand her, but couldn’t. When she looked at him like that, his anger and irritation evaporated.
Pride. That’s what he saw in her eyes. She was proud of him.
He didn’t deserve it.
“Oh, my baby!” Martha came flying into the room, Reverend Jack on her heels.
Martha swept Shelby into a hug, saying all the things that mothers did to their kids after an accident, even when they’re grown adults. Jack dropped a kiss on the top of Shelby’s head before he came at Colton, finger pointed.
“You”—his finger jabbed at Colton’s face—“better have one damn good explanation for this, boy.”
Dr. Allen had just started sewing. He stopped with the needle in Colton’s brow and looked star struck. “Reverend Claiborne?” A geeky smile lit the guy’s face. He motioned for the nurse to hold the needle, took off his glove and held out a hand. “God bless you, sir. I’m a huge fan.”
Jesus H. Christ. Colton almost jerked the needle out and jumped off the table.
Jack, ever the showman, lowered his finger and shifted seamlessly into his pastor role, shaking the man’s hand. “Of course, of course. Thank you, doctor, for taking care of my little girl!”
“It was a pleasure,” Allen replied. “She’s going to be fine. Out of all of them, she had the least severe injuries.”
Jack turned the stink-eye on Colton and growled, “Lucky for you.”
