I gingerly placed my right foot on the bottom step and lifted myself up. “Ouch!” I decided to try stepping up with my left foot, even though it was awkward. I was able to step up…I just couldn’t put any weight on my right ankle without exploding pain. I was about to hop up to the next step when I felt strong arms engulf me.
“Let me help you.” Chase shifted me higher in his arms, and I instinctively wrapped my own arms around his neck.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been carried before,” I whispered. “Am I too heavy?”
He grinned but didn’t reply as he walked up the steps, Rocky yipping and prancing around the whole time. He carried me into the foyer and placed me back on my feet.
“Such a sweet boy,” Marla said. “Just like his granddaddy.”
I ducked my head and smiled. Every time Marla talked about Sheriff Cryer, I got a twinge in my heart. She was obviously gaga about the guy. And now that I’d met his grandson, I could see why.
“Hey, Clifford, it’s Chase.”
My head snapped up when I realized Chase was already on the phone with my parole officer. My mouth went dry, and I bent over at the waist, trying to suck in some air. What would Chase say? Would he tell Clifford I purposely ran outside? Surely not. But he was a cop. Someone who couldn’t always be trusted.
“Just letting you know about something that just happened before you see it on the readout next time you check.” There was a brief pause. “Tomorrow? Okay, well, you’ll see activity that shows Alexa went outside.” Another brief pause. “Yeah, but it wasn’t her fault. Rocky and another dog, Blaze, ran out of the house and she stepped out to grab them without thinking. Unfortunately, they got tangled up around her feet and she fell down the stairs, and I think now her ankle might be fractured or at least twisted pretty badly.”
My heart tripped over itself when I realized he wasn’t making it sound like I tried to escape. I tentatively wiggled my ankle, but stopped when the pain became too intense. There was no way I could go up and down the stairs, but I didn’t want to say anything for fear I’d have to leave.
And if that didn’t freak me out…I told myself I didn’t want to leave because I’d have to go back to jail, but I also knew I didn’t want to leave because Ilikedbeing around Chase. Which was a huge no-no.
“Okay. Just making sure.” Chase looked at me and winked. “Yeah, it’s going fine.”
I tried to ignore both the knowing stares from the other ladies and the heat from my cheeks. Since it didn’t sound like I was going to be in too much trouble, I was ready to go upstairs and get away from everyone. I didn’t want anyone making a fuss…especially since I was hurt more than I originally thought.
“So now what?” Mimi asked when Chase hung up. “What’re we gonna do with Alexa?”
Chase frowned. “Whaddya mean?”
“Nothing,” I said. “Everything is fine. I thought you guys needed to go.”
“But it’s not fine,” Gilda argued. “Unless you can perform magic and blink yourself upstairs.”
“What’re they talking about?” Chase asked.
I sighed. “I think maybe I’m hurt a little more than I thought, and they’re worried how I’m going to get up and down the stairs.” When I saw the surprised look on his face, I hurried on. “But it’s not a big deal. I don’t even really have to come down the stairs. I’ll just stay upstairs the whole time.”
“What about your community service next week?” Marla asked.
I gritted my teeth. What was up with these ladies? Didn’t they see they could possibly make it worse? I may lose my freedom if Chase thinks I’m hurt worse than I am and he makes me go back to jail.
“What if there’s a fire,” Ingrid said. “How’re you gonna move then?”
“I’ll crawl up and down the stairs,” I practically shouted. “It’s no big deal!”
Chase crossed his arms over his chest and cocked his head. “Let’s see it.”
I jerked back so quickly, I had to grab hold of the banister to keep from falling. “What?”
He shrugged. “I want to see you crawl up and down the stairs.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I hissed. “I’m not doing that!”
He sighed. “That’s what I figured.”
Fear gripped my insides, and I didn’t care if I had to beg and grovel…there was no way I was letting him take me back to jail. I’d go down kicking and screaming.
“I’ll fight you every step of the way if you try and make me leave,” I said.
