A sweet woman like her needs a man by her side to stand up to her father. I’ve seen no indication she can grow such a backbone herself. But it’s possible I could give her some pointers to find the right direction in life.
Smiling to myself, I remember how Saint noticed my interest in her, but he’s got it all wrong. A relationship between us would be laughable. I might not be well educated, but even I know it would never work. It’s not going to be me, taking her away from her father. But perhaps there’s a young doctor with promise at her hospital, who might be tempted if she just made a little more of herself – some lipstick, a new hairdo, a few hints to make more of the gifts she was born with. She’s such a pretty little thing, presented in exactly the right package. If she just had more confidence, maybe someone would see how attractive she is.
I might not be the man for her, but maybe I could play a brother’s role and help get her out from under her dad’s control? After all, I know more than anyone how there’s a limit to the parental abuse someone can take.
My eyes struggle to stay open. I let them close, drifting off into a dreamless sleep, and only wake when the sun comes through the blinds I’d left open. After unsuccessfully trying to doze for a little longer, I’m fully awake when a tentative knock comes at my door.
“Come in,” I call out.
“I’m sorry to come so early, but Dad said your bandages need checking again. And I’m due at the hospital this morning.”
For a second, I wonder if I’m still dreaming, as the girl I’ve been thinking of for most of the night appears. I come back to my senses quickly, remembering the thoughts I’d had before falling asleep.Maybe this can be day one of emancipating Bronwyn from her father’s control?
“No worries,” I tell her. “I was already awake.”
Her face creases in concern. “Are you in pain?”
I am, but that hadn’t woken me. “On a scale of one to ten, I’m about a six, darlin’. Nothing I can’t cope with.”
“No trouble breathing?” Asking medical questions, she seems to be on solid ground.
I answer truthfully, “Only if I try to breathe.”
She raises her chin in sympathy, obviously, my answer wasn’t unexpected. “Is it okay if I take a look at your wounds?”
I’m still dressed in my t-shirt and boxers, just as she last saw me. I toss off the sheet, then take a moment to regret the sudden movement. “Help yourself,” I tell her gruffly.
She’s competent as always, going about her business calmly and professionally. Despite the thoughts I’d fallen asleep with, it’s hard to come up with words to progress my plan to get her out of her dad’s clutches. Truthfully, in the cold light of day, I don’t know where to start.
Struggling to come up with anything, I settle for the obvious. “Doc isn’t with you?”
She shakes her head and gives a strained smile. “It’s far too early for him.”
Yeah, I suppose it would be.
Not knowing how to approach the subject gently, words tumble out of my mouth. “Don’t you hate having to do his work for him? Ouch!” My exclamation is because she just removed my bandage and took some of my healing skin with it. Guess I might have touched a nerve.
She steps back and turns her back on me for a second before turning around. “I’m a nurse. This is my job.”
“For which he pays you?” I press.
“It’s work experience,” she replies primly. Her response sounds like she’s parroting something she’s heard.
Making sure she’s not touching my body, I risk asking, “Don’t you think he’s taking advantage of you?”
From the way her body tightens, it would appear that I’m nearing the truth.
