“As long as the injury looks okay,” he clarifies as he folds the blankets to the side to reveal my bandaged thigh.
Carefully, he removes the bandages, and the nurse offers him some fresh gauze and another wrap.
“What’s the verdict?” I question, already itching to be free of this place. Of the reminders of everything I left behind.
“Looks great to me.” He finishes re-wrapping it, then takes off his gloves, sanitizes his hands, and turns back to me. “Give us a few to get the paperwork done. Then you’ll be good to go. Officer Leopold will want to talk to you, so I’m going to give him a quick call, too, just to let him know that you’re going to be released.”
Dread coils in my stomach, but I keep the forced smile on my face. “Great, thanks so much. For everything.”
“Not a problem at all. I’ll send Linda back in.”
“Actually, I think I might just rest for a few if that’s okay? I’m pretty tired and want to make sure I’m wide awake by the time you’re done with the paperwork.”
“I completely understand. I’ll let her know. See you in a bit.” With a small wave, he and the nurse leave the room, closing the door behind them.
Leaning back, I rest my head against the pillow and close my eyes.
Soon I’ll be discharged. Then, I can get to the old trailer and figure out what my next move will be. With no idea why someone attacked me and ransacked my apartment, I know I can’t go back there. Which means it’s time for a new name, new state, new home.
I’ve started over before, so it’s not anything new, but this time feels different.
Maybe it’s because I really liked my apartment in Savannah, Georgia.
Or because I’d finally gotten a job that helped me pay all the bills and still left me a little extra.
Or, more likely, it’s because this time, I got a little taste of what I left behind all those years ago. Even sitting here now, I can picture him.
Sandy blonde hair.
Gorgeous green eyes.
Unwelcome attraction burns through me, and I shove it back down. I have no right to be attracted to Zane. Not after what I did to him. The sooner I leave this place, the better. I can put Stormwatch Landing—and him—behind me. This time, for good.
Chapter 5
Zane
The sun is high above me as I make my way from the marina toward Main Street. The town is relatively quiet today, but I’ve passed more than one friendly face. Unfortunately, I’m not feeling overly chatty at the moment, so it’s been fake smiles, quick answers, and half-hearted waves.
All while my mind is on Tessa at the hospital. My mom is with her, has been most of the day. And since I haven’t heard otherwise, I’m assuming she wasn’t given the boot.
Tessa.
Why didn’t I keep looking for her?
Why did I simply accept the idea that she was dead?
Because I never thought she’d leave me. The thought brings a fresh wave of pain over me, and I take a deep breath to bury it. That’s in the past. Right now, she’s injured and in a hospital bed.
Reaching up, I grip the handle on the screen door to my sister’s coffee shop, then pull it open. Normally, when the scent of fresh coffee and baked goods hits my lungs, I can’t help but smile.
But today, not even the promise of fresh muffins can bring a smile to my face.
Anastasia glances up from behind the counter and starts to smile. It dies on her face, though, and she comes around the counter. “Are you okay? What happened?”
“Why do you think something is wrong?” I ask, forcing a smile.
“Um, because of your face,” Anastasia replies. Her eyes, the same shade as our mother’s, narrow on my face. “Spill, Zane.”
