Page 17 of The One She Can't Forget

She nodded, and Matteo handed me the glucose meter.

The results came in seconds. “Looks good. Did the doctor tell you anything about expecting dizziness?”

Monica nodded. “She said it was possible for a couple of weeks. That’s why I’m not supposed to drive.”

I nodded. “That’s true.” I looked around the QuikStop. “How did you get here? You didn’t drive, did you?” My tone was probably a little harsher than I would have liked, but the thought of what could have happened if she’d had this dizzy spell while driving had my heart in my throat.

“Noofficer, no need to interrogate me. I walked.”

I exhaled in relief. “Well, that’s good. Here’s the deal. Everything looks good with your vitals and everything. We can take you to Greencastle, so the doctors can check everything out and make sure nothing is wrong.”

Monica shook her head and started to object.

“When is your follow-up MRI?”

“Friday,” she admitted, “which is why I—”

I silenced her objections by continuing what I was saying. “Normally, I would encourage a patient to go get checked out. However, knowing that you have a recent brain injury makes this pretty normal, all things considered. You already have a scan the day after tomorrow. Youdohave the option to refuse treatment. There’s a pretty good chance Matteo and I would be happy to give you a ride home instead. I’m pretty sure my captain won’t have a problem with it.”

I smiled gently to let her know it was okay if she didn’t go to the hospital. As much as I hated knowing that she had an episode of dizziness, the rational part of me knew that it was expected, even normal, after a brain injury.

While a part of me wanted to force her to go into the hospital right now, the other part of me knew that it was the last thing she wanted.

The look of relief in Monica’s eyes let me know I had made the right decision.

“Thanks, Jake.” Monica started to stand, and I helped her to her feet, leaving my hands on her upper arms for a little longer than necessary to make sure she was steady before I pulled my hand away.

I stayed close in case she needed me.

I had a sneaking suspicion I would always stay in that position, waiting nearby in case Monica needed me. Even if she never admitted she did.

I walked her slowly to the ambulance, helping her up into the cab while Mateo loaded the supplies into the back.

“Did you need anything else besides the milk?”

Monica’s hand flew to her forehead. “The milk! I totally forgot. I’ll just go—”

She moved to exit the cab, but I gently blocked her path. “I’ve got it, Mon. Was there anything else?”

She pressed her lips together and eventually shook her head.

“Are you sure?”

She didn’t want to tell me, but I could read her like a book.

She hesitated, then sighed. “A bag of tortilla chips. And some salsa,” she finally admitted.

I nodded. “Got it. Anything else?”

She shook her head. At least she was being honest this time.

In a few moments, I had grabbed all the items and paid the clerk for them. When I got back to the rig, Matteo was in the driver’s seat chatting happily with Monica. Nice try, rookie.

I pointed at him, then to the back of the rig through the windshield.

He didn’t move. I opened the driver’s side door. “Not a chance, Matteo. Get in the back”

“Come on, Jake! You always let me drive.”

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