He pulled into the entrance and waited for the ambulance to rush Sledge inside.
“Scarlett, it’s Kassie. I’ve got you. Allie and Lisa will take Ice with them,” she said, helping her out of the truck.
“I want him to stay with me,” she insisted.
“They’ll clean him up, and Jake will examine him. Then they’ll return him to you,” Kassie said gently, steering her into one of the rooms and shutting the door.
“Patch and Ragu have a few questions. I can stay here with you if it’ll make you feel more comfortable. Then we can clean you up.”
“Can you tell us what happened?” Ragu asked.
“Ty brought me home from the funeral reception. He kept me company while Sledge went into town with the kids. When Ty left, he told me to lock thedoor behind him. I didn’t, because Sledge called to ask if I needed anything before he headed back. I called my friend, Rayne. I heard someone enter the cabin and went out to greet Sledge when Ice growled. He moved in front of me like he did the night of the fire and refused to let me enter the kitchen. I played dumb and acted as if I forgot to get something from my room. I almost made it back before he grabbed me.”
“She has bruises on her neck and arm. We need photos taken for evidence, Scarlett,” Patch informed her.
“I’ll take care of it once they leave the room,” Kassie assured her, cleaning the blood from Scarlett’s hands.
A soft knock on the door alerted them to Allie’s presence.
“Don’t worry, Scarlett. I’ll get him all cleaned up,” she said, kneeling to scan the dog for any serious injuries. “He has some blood on his coat, but I don’t see any injuries.”
“He protected me,” she said proudly.
Allie said. “Ice sensed the danger. He’s still an animal and will protect his person. He obviously felt threatened.”
“Did Jeremy say anything?” Patch asked.
Scarlett shook her head. “He never said a word. I didn’t know he planned to shoot me,” she said, shaking.
“Allie, take Ice. Ragu and Patch, I need to tend to my patient,” Kassie took charge.
When everyone left the room, Kassie turned on the water in the bathroom and returned to Scarlett’s side. “I’m bagging your clothes for evidence. I know Patch gave you a quick once-over until they brought you here, but do you hurt anywhere?”
“He grabbed my arm. It’s burning,” she said, recalling the pain from earlier.
“Can you rate your discomfort from one to ten?” she asked. “I’ll give you a shot for the pain, and help with your arm, but I prefer we get the blood off you first and get the pictures.”
“I’ll shower later. Kim must be notified,” Scarlett said, wrapping her arms about her waist. Her teeth chattered, and she felt like a block of ice.
“I’ve sent the private jet for her. Her parents will accompany her and help with the baby,” Kassie assured her, while removing the blood-soaked robe and placing it inside a plastic bag, along with her panties and pajamas.
“Do you know anything about Sledge yet?”
“The bullet hit him in the chest. My husband took him into surgery. After we finish, I’ll see if I can find out more,” Kassie said gently. “Do you want me to help you wash, or do you prefer to do it?”
“I’ll do it,” she said as Kassie covered her burns, took pictures of the bruises, and opened the shower curtain. “How does your neck feel?”
“Like someone tried to strangle me,” she said, stepping inside the hot water.
“I’ll send you for an X-ray for precautionary measures,” Kassie said, before giving her some privacy.
Scarlett scrubbed her body vigorously, trying to rid herself of the metallic scent, reminding her of her brother, whose life hung in the balance for protecting her. Leaning against the shower wall, she sobbed her heartache. Sledge might die because of her.
Twenty minutes later, she shut the water off and dried off with the towel hanging on the wall. Kassie knocked.
“I put your clothes to the right of the sink and extra towels on the left. If you need any help, I’m right outside the door.”
“Thank you,” she called out, wrapping one around her and reaching for another to bind up her hair.
