She shook her head, her back teeth coming together at even that small movement.
“There’s no need to be heroic, Madelaine.If you are in pain take the medication.”
She ignored the admonition.While she wanted the pain medication, she didn’t want the side effects.Pain pills made her violently ill and while she didn’t have much pride left lying in this hospital bed wearing a gown covering only the front of her, she had enough to know she didn’t want to be bent over a bed pan retching her insides out in front of Christien.
“What’s the prognosis?”Experimentally she moved her legs and breathed a sigh of relief.Her hip was stiff and probably had the mother of all bruises, but she could wiggle her toes.They were the only thing on her that didn’t hurt.
“Mainly bruising.A bad case of road rash on your left arm.A bump on the head they want to monitor so they’re keeping you overnight.”
“No broken bones?”
“No broken bones.Miraculously.”His rough voice dipped low.
She looked at the clock and discovered several hours had passed since the accident.“You don’t have to stay with me.”
He made a frustrated sound and stood to pace to the other side of the small room.“Do you really think I would leave you?My God, Madelaine, I’m not that cold.”
She twisted the blanket, confused by his apparent anger.“I didn’t say you were cold and I don’t want you to think you’re obligated.”
His jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed.“I’ll pretend that’s the medication talking.”
Lainie’s head fell against the pillow and she closed her eyes.“I’m sorry.It’s just—” She raised her hand, let it fall to the bed.Tears pressed against her eyes.She willed them away.
“Thank you,” she whispered, beyond relieved he was here, that he wasn’t going to leave her alone.That hewantedto be here.She’d never been in a hospital before and the thought of spending the night alone was disconcerting.
He sat in the chair he’d just vacated and blew out a weary sigh.For the first time she noticed he was holding her necklace, the chain laced through his fingers, the key swaying back and forth.Instinctively her hand went to her bare throat.She’d never taken it off before and she felt vulnerable without it.
“What happened?”His voice was quiet but commanding in the hushed silence of the hospital.
Lainie’s hand dropped to the bed and she freed the memories she’d been holding at bay.Immediately her body tensed and the pain ricocheted through her.Christien placed his hand over hers and she grabbed on, probably squeezing his fingers too tight but he didn’t protest.
“I was standing at the curb waiting for the light to turn so I could cross and then I wasn’t standing on the curb anymore.”
She closed her eyes, remembering the hand on her back, the shove that sent her into traffic.In her mind she heard the squeal of tires, the shout of the people around her.“I think I was pushed.”
His fingers flexed beneath hers.“How do you know?”
“Because I felt a hand on my back.I turned to see who it was and suddenly I was bounced off a car.”
His hand slid from hers and he pressed his fingers into closed eyes, muttering to himself.“I was afraid of this.”
Lainie’s eyes had started to drift closed, but they snapped back open.“Afraid of what?”
He stared at the floor, elbows on knees, fingers steepled.The meager light reflected off the tiny diamonds in the swaying key.For a moment Lainie had no trouble picturing him sitting like this in prayer in a candle-lit chapel with a rosary dangling from his hands.The image quickly faded, leaving the man before her, exhausted, weary and with a look of worry so intense it made her stomach muscles clench.
“Talk to me, Christien.What are you afraid of?”
His silver-eyed gaze met hers, far too serious for her peace of mind.
“You’re scaring me,” she whispered.
He moved to sit on the edge of the bed and took her hand, staring intently at their interwoven fingers.“You are shaking.Do you need another blanket?Should I call the nurse?”
“You should answer my questions.”
“It’s…complicated.”
“I’m pretty intelligent.I think I can figure it out.”The shaking was making her head hurt and her shoulder ache and her stomach turn.Although the stomach-turning part had more to do with the conversation.
