“Fine. For the moment, we’ll leave it at that.”
Jenny flicked him a glance. “Thank you.”
Cain just grunted.
They didn’t say more as he drove the last few miles and arrived at their destination. The predicted weekend storm loomed on the horizon, thick gray clouds rolling in, beginning to pile up overhead.
They made their way toward the entrance, walking beneath the portico of a beige-and-white stucco structure into the lobby. The main part of the hospital stood four stories high, an impressive white building that dominated the desert around it.
Behind the front desk, a short, blond nurse in scrubs sat at a computer. She looked up as they approached.
“May I help you?”
“We’re looking for a patient named Leslie Owens,” Cain said.
The nurse gave him a once-over, a hint of color rising in her cheeks. Clearly, she liked what she saw. Jenny couldn’t blame her.
“Let me take a look,” the nurse said, typing in the information. “Yes, here it is. Second floor, room two-eighteen.”
Cain smiled. “Thanks . . .” His gaze went to the tag on her very impressive chest. “Caroline.”
Her face flushed even brighter. “If there’s anything else you need, please just let me know.”
“Will do. Thanks again.”
They headed for the elevators. “You’re a handy man to have around,” Jenny said, with only a hint of sarcasm.
Cain flashed one of his rare grins as he led her to the elevator and pushed the button. It quickly whisked them upward, and they walked out onto the second floor. The door to room 218 stood open.
With a glance inside, Jenny recognized Leslie’s mother, Aida, sitting at her daughter’s bedside. Aida was a woman in her fifties, with blond hair going gray and a warm smile. She rose and crossed the room to greet them.
“Hello, Jenny,” Aida said. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“We heard the good news.” Glancing toward the bed, Jenny took in Leslie’s pale, battered face, the puffy black-and-blue eyes, the bandage around her forehead.
“How’s she doing?” Cain asked.
Aida smiled. “Why don’t you ask her yourself? I’ll go join my sister in the cafeteria for a cup of coffee. If I don’t see you later, thanks for helping my daughter.”
Jenny just nodded. “I’m so glad she’s going to be okay.” Aida left, and Jenny walked over and sat down in the chair next to the bed. Cain waited beside the open door.
Jenny reached out and took hold of Leslie’s hand. It felt cool but not icy, a good sign, Jenny thought.
Leslie’s eyes opened and swung in Jenny’s direction. “I remember you . . . from the hotel.”
“That’s right. I’m the owner, Jenny Spencer. The man by the door is Cain Barrett. He’s a friend.”
Her gaze swung toward Cain, but she didn’t greet him.
“Chief Nolan called to tell us you are going to be okay,” Jenny said. “He told us the doctors would be releasing you tomorrow or the next day.”
“The sooner the better,” Leslie said. “I just want to go home.”
“I’m so sorry about what happened. The hotel belongs to me, but it’s also where I live. If you’re feeling up to it, maybe you’d be willing to tell me about that night. I’d really like to understand.”
Leslie shifted on the mattress, trying to get comfortable. “I can tell you, but I don’t know if you’ll believe me. I don’t think Chief Nolan believed all of it.”
“Try me,” Jenny said.
