“Yeah,” he practically sneered at her as he paced the floor like a caged bear.
Something about his voice made her wonder if she hurt his feelings. Garrett refused to glance in her direction as he sat on a stool and picked up a piece of wood and a knife. She watched as he whittled away, paying her no attention.It’s not as if she craved it, but it felt like a far cry from the gentle man who held her hair out of the way and checked her cut.
Thirty minutes later, she heard footsteps above them, and the basement door opened. A man came down the steps and peered at them.
“The storm passed us. Do you need to take her to a hospital?” the stranger asked.
“Yes. If you can help me get her into my truck, I’d appreciate it,” Garrett said, rising from his seat and putting his masterpiece inside his bag.
Riley swung her legs over the bed’s edge, and her head swam. It hit her she didn’t have on any clothes, and she clutched the sheet to her chest, weaving where she sat.
“Easy,” Garrett said coldly as he tossed her clothes beside her. “I put them in the dryer. We’ll give you some time alone to change and then help you upstairs. Don’t try them on your own.”
Swallowing, Riley managed to nod her head, praying she wouldn’t get sick again. Garrett took the garbage can from earlier up the steps with him as he joined the other man.
Her cheeks grew hot from embarrassment as she realized he must’ve stripped her. Tugging on her bra, she pulled the shirt over her head. Picking up her panties and pants, she lay down on the bed and slid them up her body. Riley searched for her boots but couldn’t find them.
A knock sounded above and then Garrett called from the staircase. “Are you dressed?”
“Yes, but I can’t find my boots,” she said, feeling weak and tired.
“I have them. You don’t need to topple over to put them on. You can barely sit up without weaving,” he said,approaching her with her muddy, soddened shoes. He knelt and held them as she stuck her foot inside her boots.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
Garrett grunted his reply as he stood and offered her a steady arm up. She gripped his arm as they walked up the stairs. His massive body prevented them from going at the same time. He led the way, ensuring she didn’t fall.
The stranger from earlier smiled at her as he opened the front door and then waited beside the truck to assist her inside.
“I’ll be back whenever they release her,” Garrett told the man.
The stranger pulled out a card and handed it to Garrett. “It has my cell number. Call me and I’ll take you to your quarters when you return.”
Nodding, Garrett slid into the driver’s seat and drove toward the hospital. “We’re taking the same route you must’ve come from. Where did you leave your car?” he asked as they turned onto the main road.
“I don’t know. It’s about four miles from Mystic Ranch,” she said as she pressed her aching head against the cool glass.
“What color is it?” he asked.
“At one time, I’d call it green. Now it’s more rust than colored,” she answered him miserably.
“What happened to it?” he asked.
“It started chugging, and the dashboard lit up. I’m guessing it died from old age. It’s not mine. I borrowed it from a friend. He’ll be pissed if he finds it on the side of the road,” she said shakily, imagining what they might do to her sister if the slovenly biker discovered his vehicle disabled.
Garret nodded, and a few minutes later, he slowed as he spotted the hunk of junk.
“Do you have another pair of shoes? It’s important to keep your feet dry,” he explained as he pulled over.
Riley glanced at her shoes. “I only have this pair. They’ll dry out, and I’ll clean them when I get home.”
“Maybe you can buy a pair after I give you the check,” he said sarcastically. “Do you need anything from your car?”
“Nope. I only have my wallet,” she informed him.
Garrett pulled out on the road and continued to the hospital. When they arrived, he pulled into the emergency room entrance and jumped out to help her inside.
“Hey buddy, you can’t park there. We got multiple ambulances coming in because of the tornado,” the security guard explained.
