“If it’s not,” I said, “it’ll do until the rest of the hurt catches up.”
I left them to enjoy the view together while I made a start on an early dinner.The first snow bunting had now been joined bya second, perhaps its mate.Out on the marsh, reflected clouds floated in dark blue water, and the afternoon was hushed.Walter took his wife’s hand, and she rested her head on his shoulder while I stood by the window and willed the world not to come apart.
Chapter 54
Sabine Drew had never fractured a rib before.In books and movies, it was passed off as a comparatively minor injury, like breaking a toe.A medic strapped it up and told you to rest, but otherwise, it had to be endured.What they didn’t say was how difficult it was to walk with a busted rib, especially over rough terrain, even with someone to lean on, or how much it hurt even to breathe in deeply.By the time Sabine and Sadlier regained the rendezvous point, the pain was constant, and she was glad Sadlier was driving because she wasn’t up to it, not with the nausea—and that was before she sat in the passenger seat of his truck and was sure she felt bone scrape against bone.The pain intensified, and she let out an involuntary yelp.Sadlier, all solicitousness, eased the truck as gently as he could from the verge and drove slowly all the way to Bingham, avoiding sharp turns and sudden stops.When they got to the medical center, he helped her out—which added another clockwise twist to the old volume knob of affliction—and walked her inside.He led her to a chair but she didn’t want to sit again, so he left her leaning against the wall by the reception desk, within easy reach should she show any signs of tottering.Minutes later, he entrusted her to the care of a nurse, who recognized him and said: “Back again so soon?”
Sabine stared at Sadlier.“You make a habit of frequenting medical centers?”
“I was here recently,” he said, “with one of the kids from the school I work at.I’m not on commission or anything.”
“That’s a relief.And you don’t have to wait: I can call a cab when I’m done.”
“They’ll have to come from Skowhegan,” said Sadlier, “andit’ll cost you.I don’t have anything else to do, and I always keep a book in the truck.”
The way he said it stung her.
“Well, if you don’t have anything better to do—”
“Now, I didn’t mean it like that,” he replied.“I’d like to wait.”
Sabine thought:He’s not an unattractive man.Unkempt, but that can be mended.
Sadlier thought:She’s a handsome woman.Kind of raggedy, but I’m not one to point the finger.
The nurse coughed meaningfully.
“Can you resume this later?”
Both Sabine and Sadlier blushed, and said “Sorry” simultaneously.
Chapter 55
Tim Sadlier managed to get through eight long chapters of the fantasy novel he was reading before Sabine Drew reappeared.He put it away as soon as he saw her, storing it in his jacket pocket.He really didn’t want her to ask what he was reading.
“What are you reading?”she asked.
“How are you feeling?”
“I asked first.”
He removed the book from his pocket and showed it to her.She took it from him and read the synopsis on the back cover.
“Do they actually have sexonthe dragons?”
Heat rose to Sadlier’s cheeks.
“Not in this one,” he said.“Not yet.”
“One can only live in hope, I suppose.”She handed the book back.“I’ve always believed that escapism is underrated and we should never feel guilty about our reading pleasures, within reason.If I’d discovered you readingThe Protocols of the Elders of Zion, I’d have been obliged to call that taxi after all.”
Sadlier didn’t know whatThe Protocols of the Elders of Zionmight be, but was now determined to avoid it, or them, at all costs.
“So how are you feeling?”he asked again.
“Sore, and wrapped up like a mummy, but there’s no internal damage, the fracture apart.I’ve been instructed to rest, ice the area a couple of times a day, do my breathing exercises, and take ibuprofen for the pain.I’m also supposed to cough regularly.”She coughed, then winced.“But I may interpret ‘regularly’ loosely.”
“What about driving?”
