Chapter Thirty-Seven
As Steel rushedBreanna to the clinic on the reservation, he called and told them he had an emergency. When he’d seen the yellowish fatty tissue in her wounds and the amount of blood she’d lost, he knew the thirty miles to Alina wouldn’t work, so the reservation clinic seemed the best choice. The medics were waiting at the front. They promptly transferred Breanna onto a gurney and wheeled her away.
“Park this,” Steel said to Crow as he jumped out of the driver’s seat and rushed into the clinic.
“May I help you?” A woman seated behind the counter looked up from her computer.
“My woman was just brought in. Breanna Quine. I’m gonna have theHataliicome in.”
The woman nodded. The medicine man was a common sight at the clinic. For the Navajo, they believed in the combination of western medicine with their centuries-old traditions. She typed in Breanna’s name. “She’s not in the system quite yet, but I’m sure she’s in the emergency section.”
“I need to be in there with her.”
The young lady smiled. “You’re Steel McVickers, aren’t you?”
He looked at her more closely, but he didn’t recognize her. “Yeah.” He raised his eyebrows.
She laughed. “You probably don’t remember me, but I’m Sam’s little sister, Viola.”
He scrutinized her face, then smiled. “Yeah, I can see it now. Damn, it’s been a long time. Last time I saw you, you were about twelve. You grew up nicely.”
Viola blushed. “Thanks. You know, I used to have a major crush on you. You grew up nicely too.” She giggled.
I have to see what the fuck’s going on with Breanna.“Thanks, sweetie. It’s good seeing you again. I just saw Sam not that long ago. I didn’t know he was in the tribal police. I gotta see my woman real bad. Can you let me go back there?”
“Normally, it’s not allowed until she’s in the system, but for you… sure.” She pushed a button and the wooden door slowly opened. “It was good seeing you.”
He winked. “Same here. Thanks.”
He rushed through the doors and went up to the counter to see where Breanna was. After several minutes and a lot of people trying to help him, he finally ended up in her room. She looked pale as a ghost, and his heart twisted when she smile wanly at him. He leaned down and kissed her white lips. “How’re you doing, baby?”
“Glad to be here. I really thought I was a goner.”
He rubbed her shoulder. “Shh… forget about it. It’s all over and you’re safe.”
“I’m just so tired.” Her eyes slowly shut.
He kissed her again. “Rest, baby. I’m gonna have the medicine man come by after we see what the doc has to say.”
At that moment, the doctor walked in. “Steel?”
Steel smiled at his mother’s doctor. “Dr. Taya. Breanna’s my woman. Tell me what’s going on.” He glanced at Breanna, whose eyes where half-opened.
She nodded. “Ms. Quine’s suffered three broken ribs, which will take about two months or so to completely heal. I’ll wrap them up, but she just needs to take it easy. She definitely needs stiches on her knees, elbow, and right leg, as she sustained some very deep cuts. We’re going to prep her and I’ll take care of that. She lost a lot of blood, so her count is low. We’ll give her a pint and that should bring all the numbers back up. I’m also giving her an IV antibiotic in case of infection. I want to keep her overnight to make sure she’s doing well. If not, then we’ll have to transfer her to St. Joseph’s in Alina.”
Steel pressed his lips together and crossed his arms. “Do what you need to do. I’m gonna have theHataliicome in after you’re finished with her.” He went back over to Breanna and kissed her. “You’ll do just fine. I’ll see you in a bit.”
He left the room and called his mother, telling her to come to the clinic with the medicine man. Hanging up, he went out to the back of the building and lit up a joint. The cannabis mellowed him as he pressed his foot against the brick wall and smoked. After twenty minutes, he went out front and saw his mother and Herman Secody, the medicine man.
Fifteen minutes later, Steel was in Breanna’s room with his mother and Herman. The staff had been told that theHataliiwas in the room so they would not disturb them while the ceremony took place. Steel held Breanna’s hand and smiled while she watched with wide eyes as the man in beads, jewelry, and feathers set a black case on the table.
“Don’t worry, baby. He’s not gonna hurt you.”
“Do I have to drink or eat anything gross?”
Steel burst out laughing. “You’ve watched too many movies. He’s just gonna get things in balance again.”
“Balance?”
