Page 3 of Love on the Run

“Yep. At least to keep until I know who needs it.” Jake stood up, stretching. “How is she?” He followed Murphy back to the examining room.

“Stable. I gave her a shot of Dilaudid before sewing her up, so she’ll be asleep for some time.” Murphy paused. “I’m sorry to say this, but she can’t stay here. I have to sleep before I come back for my next shift. And she should be supervised overnight at least, and ideally for the next couple of days. I don’t suppose she knows anyone here…”

“I think she was just passing through. But I’ll take her to my place.”

“That would be good of you.” Murphy exhaled, looking suddenly tired. “She doesn’t need a hospital right now, just rest.”

“I can watch her. Is there anything I should know?” Jake looked down at the girl again, reflecting on how little he did know.

“There’s a risk of infection, especially since she didn’t get professional care right away. Although the wound doesn’t show evidence of infection—yet. If her temperature goes up more than a degree, you call me. Or if she complains about tenderness around the wound, or if there’s any smell to the wound. You know the signs.” Murphy turned to a cabinet, unlocked it, and pulled out a plastic bottle. “Have her take these antibiotics twice a day, morning and night. And I’m going to give you four codeine pills, just in case. She may be in pain after waking.” Murphy grabbed another bottle and quickly found the pills he needed, dropping four into the prescription bottle. “Got all that?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’m guessing she’ll be extremely weak for the next day or so. The injury, plus sleep deprivation…”

Plus panic, Jake added mentally. He knew from experience how exhausting fear could be.

“But she seems very healthy otherwise,” the doctor continued. “There’s no reason to think she won’t recover completely.”

“I hope so. Someone’s going to pay for what happened to her.” Jake said quietly. He bent over the examining table, slipping one arm under her shoulders and the other beneath her knees, carefully avoiding the bandage. “All right,” he said, lifting her up. “Doc, get the door, will you?” To the sleeping woman, he muttered, “you’re coming with me, honey.”

* * * *

Callie drifted on a cloud, gloriously happy and free of pain. She began humming to herself without thinking about it. From the rumbling beneath her, she realized she was in a car. But she wasn’t driving. How nice, not to have to drive and make all those annoying decisions. Where to turn off, how fast to go, where to run away and hide….

“I like not driving,” she said aloud.

“I like that you’re awake,” the driver responded easily.

Callie turned her head toward the voice. Her eyes widened a bit. The man at the wheel was easy on the eyes, all long lines and quiet manner.

“Are we friends?” she asked, smiling a little. What had she ever been worried about? The hazy cloud enveloped her, wrapping her in pure happiness and calm.

“Not yet,” he said, looking over at her. “But I am trying to help you.”

“I don’t need any help,” Callie giggled. “Everything is fine!” The car—truck, really—was warm, and he wore only a t-shirt over his jeans. She reached out to touch his bare arm, attracted to the lean muscle and bronzed skin. The hazy cloud affected her depth perception, though, so she missed, grabbing at thin air. He saw only a vague gesture.

“Hold tight, Callie. We’re almost there, and you can get some sleep.”

“Where are we going?”

“My place. The doctor says you need someone to watch over you.”

“I’m really fine,” Callie tried to explain. “You don’t have to be so nice.”

“I’m not being nice, Callie. It’s just my job.”

Callie frowned. “What’s your job?”

The man glanced over at her again, concerned. “Remember? I took you to the clinic. You were hurt. Do you remember talking to me earlier?”

He slowed and turned down a different road, this one bumpy and rough. Callie laughed and shook her head. “I never saw you. I’d remember you, because you’re so nice. No one is nice in real life.”

“Some people are,” he disagreed.

“No,” A fog darkened Callie’s vision. “They all want something. What’s your name?”

“Jake. We talked earlier.” He looked more and more worried, but Callie didn’t care. She looked at him again, and smiled at what she saw. He looked in control, capable. Jake caught her gaze.

---