“Some medical supplies.”
That caught his attention. “Why do you need medical supplies?”
“I was shot.”
“What?” Cree moved to the bed so he could inspect the wound. When Kennedy tried tugging off her blazer, he saw she was in pain. “Let me help you.” Removing the jacket was the easy part—it was the blouse that was the issue. The entire shoulder and part of the front was coated in dried blood, and the fabric was dried to the wound, creating a type of bandage. “We need to look at that wound.”
Rubbing his fist across his brow—a sign of his exhaustion taking hold—he needed to see the wound, but once they got the shirt off, it might start bleeding again. “Stay here and rest. I saw a drugstore when I rode in.”
“Okay.”
Cree left her sitting on the bed while he ran back to his bike.This was not what he expected, he repeated in his head a second time.
Chapter Five
The commotion of the store interrupted his concentration as he searched for medical supplies. The red slotted basket hung limply in his hand as he prowled the aisles. Bing Crosby sangWhite Christmasthrough overhead speakers, and the smell of cinnamon brooms filled the air.
Turning a corner, he felt someone watching him from behind. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw a forty-something female keeping pace with him. When she caught him looking, she slipped a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she gave him a coy smile.
Going back to searching for the medical supplies, he turned the corner and found what he was looking for. Grabbing gauze, tape, and antibiotic cream, he scanned the shelves until he found the hydrogen peroxide. When he turned to head up the aisle, he physically slammed into the woman from the other aisle. “Sorry, miss.”
“It’s okay, I didn’t mind.”
“If you say so.” Stepping around her, Cree kept walking. He didn’t have time for flirty females. Shit, when had that ever happened to him? Never. Retracing his steps, he found the woman again. “Excuse me.” Her smile went wide as she saw him coming toward her. “Could you help me?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t know what I need.”
“I’ll help you with anything you need.” Her eyes racked over his body.
Cree chuckled at the woman’s brazen behaviour. “My sister flew into town and her luggage was lost. She needs . . . I don’t know, whatever you girls need.”
The woman hooked her arm through his and led him in a different direction. Cree found himself in an aisle with an entire travel section. “Let’s get her everything she’ll need until the airport finds her belongings,” the female told him. “My name’s Lisa.”
“I appreciate your help, Lisa.”
“Like I said, whatever you need.”
Cree watched as Lisa filled his basket with small bottles of everything from shampoo to mouthwash. He added toothpaste and a toothbrush to the basket. “Pajamas. Where would I find those?”
“Not here, probably over at the General Store.” Cree saw a well-built man enter the store, his eyes scanning. Lisa dropped down and moved away from Cree. When she stood up, he watched as she waved at the man. Chuckling, Cree walked off.Poor guy had his hands full with that one, he thought.
After checking out, he found the General Store directly across the street. Moving with the crowd, he walked across the two-lane highway, then he maneuvered through the horde of holiday tourists to cross the side street. A boy, maybe three years old, stood on the corner crying for his mom. Cree scooped him up, telling him to look for his mom. He heard a woman scream, “Tommy,” and he turned to find a frantic woman shoving through the crowd.
Moving toward the woman, he asked the little boy if she was his mother before handing him over. “He was near the road, over on the corner,” Cree told the mother as he handed the child over. “Don’t walk away from your mom again, little man.” Cree ruffled the boy’s shaggy hair before walking off. He was shocked when the mother hugged him, thanking him over and over for finding her boy and helping him. Cree thought he would have to peel the woman off him, but then she let go.
Making quick work of the crowd and street, he managed to find his way into the General Store. He didn’t have any help from flirty women while in there. He did, however, get help from a teenage checkout girl who looked at him like he was her dad. Nothing but attitude. He grabbed pajamas, a pair of what the girl called yoga pants, and a flannel shirt, along with a pair of leather-soled slippers.
Setting it all on the counter, Cree hoped that would get them by for the night. Tomorrow, he’d take Kennedy to buy suitable clothes for the bike. For now, he was spent.
Cree unpacked the shopping bags. His foot hadn’t hit the first step of the cabin when he heard Alice call out to him from the restaurant’s back door. Sighing, he turned around. “Sorry, I didn’t hear what you said.”
“I asked if you wanted me to bring over some food when we open for dinner.”
“That would be great. Thank you.”
“Call me when you find out what she wants.” Alice didn’t use Kennedy’s name, worried someone could be lurking.
