To top it off, Dr. Young had informed her she needed to wear a neck brace for a week as an added precaution.
“Though your memory loss is complete, the good news is, that’s all it is. Memory loss.”
That’s all?
He pulled a chair close to her bed and sat down, no doubt trying to put her at ease.
It didn’t work.
“I double checked the MRI we took yesterday and there doesn’t appear to be any damage to those areas of the brain—specifically the limbic system and the hippocampal formations—that are responsible for your memories.”
She focused on the doctor’s words. “So, you’re saying because there is no permanent brain damage, my memories should return?”
Dr. Young studied his hands for a moment before meeting her eyes again. “Theoretically, yes. Your memories should eventually return. Either little by little or in large revelations, but—”
“But head trauma, even severe trauma, rarely causes complete memory loss.” She sucked in a sharp breath.How do I know that?
“Not by itself, no.” The doctor’s words were quiet. She focused on what he wasn’t saying.
She furrowed her brow and a sharp pain shot across her forehead. “You think my memory loss is a result of something other than head trauma?”
Dr. Young cleared his throat. “Sometimes our body employs defense mechanisms, meaning—”
“Meaning, I am repressing memories that I’m psychologically unable to deal with.” She didn’t know where the words came from, but she knew they were true.
What happened besides the accident to rob me of my memory?
Dr. Young’s eyebrows shot up, creasing his forehead. “It’s clear your memory loss hasn’t affected your knowledge. I find it interesting you’re familiar with such things.” He let out a sigh. “Yes, I believe you experienced something very traumatic, and you’re having difficulty coping. Your mind has chosen to block everything, because it can’t separate it from your other memories.”
My memory loss is all in my head?How ironic.
Her brows drew together, causing pain to throb in her eye and forehead again.I have to stop doing that.“Like what kind of traumatic event?”
A knock on the door distracted Dr. Young.
The good-looking sheriff poked his head through.
The doctor held up a hand to the sheriff but looked at her. “Do you mind if the sheriff hears the rest of our conversation? He may be able to fill in some of the blanks.”
She nodded, and he motioned the sheriff into the room. When the sheriff’s equally handsome brother walked in behind him Dr. Young looked at her again, seeking approval.
She gave a quick nod, unsure why the rancher had come. If he was the one who called for help, she needed to at least thank him.
He removed his cowboy hat and gave her a small smile. The concern on his face soothed her anxiety. She took in his plaid shirt, the way his hip-hugging jeans encased his slightly bowed legs, and well-worn cowboy boots. Yep. He looked every bit the rancher. A very attractive rancher.
Doctor Young introduced the two men then turned back to her. He picked up her right hand and pointed at an angry, red welt across the back of her wrist.
“There is a similar ligature mark on the inside of your left wrist. Your hands were bound when Jake found you in the wreck yesterday.”
The sting of perspiration pricked her brow. “What?” Her gaze flew to Jake’s, seeking confirmation.
He nodded, his eyes full of compassion.
“Why?” she asked.
Sheriff Winters cleared his throat. “May I?” When Dr. Young nodded, he turned to her. “I believe you were initially placed in the car’s trunk when you were abducted. I found several strands of hair in there. I’ve got the hospital doing a DNA test on them to see if they’re yours.” When she frowned, he lifted one shoulder and gave her an apologetic look. “We’re a small-town Sheriff’s Office, we don’t have a forensics lab here. I figured it would be quicker to have the hospital run the test versus sending it to the state crime lab. Anyway, despite being tied up, you somehow managed to push your way into the back seat. That’s where Jake found you after the accident occurred.”
Abducted?She only half heard the rest of the words the sheriff said.
