Page 72 of Solid as Steele
She followed his directions, and he soon had the gown tied behind her neck and her uninjured arm inside.
He moved around the bed to her wounded side. “Hopefully the sleeve hasn’t dried to your skin but this might hurt. “
“Go ahead and treat it like a Band-Aid. Rip it off and get the pain over with.”
“You’re taking this quite well.”
“There’s not much I can do about it, so why not make the best of it?”
Her positive attitude told him a lot about her. “Most people would milk it for all it’s worth. I respect your attitude.”
She smiled at him again, and it warmed him clear through. She was quite a woman. She possessed many qualities he admired. How could such a fantastic woman possibly still be single? Obviously, it was her choice because there had to be any number of men who would want to marry her. Maybe had even proposed in the past. He didn’t like that thought, but what was he going to do about it?
Nothing, that’s what.
He pulled the soft fabric free from her arm. She gasped.
“Sorry.” His word sounded trite even to his ears. Why couldn’t he think of something better to say?
“Couldn’t be helped.” She sounded positive, but gritted her teeth together.
“Can you slide your arm out?” he asked.
“I’ll try.”
She slowly pulled her arm toward her body, and he helped by tugging the sleeve free. She held the gown in place with her other arm as he helped direct her injured arm into the sleeve. He got his first look at the long gaping open wound slicing across her arm in an angry red stripe. He didn’t know how deep the injury went, but at least a half inch of flesh was exposed. He had to swallow hard to keep from uttering something he didn’t want to say. Instead, he lifted her shirt over her head and fastened the last tie on her gown and stepped back.
“Thank you. I couldn’t have done that without help.” She smiled again, but it wobbled this time.
Likely the pain.
He reached for her hand, but the door opened before he could connect. The same nurse bustled into the space carrying an IV fluid bag. “Let’s get this going so we can get some pain meds onboard.”
“I don’t need pain meds,” Mackenzie said.
“You’re in pain,” Owen said. “Please don’t say no.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want my judgment to be cloudy for when we go back to the cabin.”
As much as he wanted her to be more comfortable, he understood her motive. He would do the same. He doubted anyone was lying in wait for them again, especially if there was still a police presence, but stranger things had happened. Holding his tongue was a struggle.
“Your choice,” the nurse said. “But it’s standard procedure to start an IV.”
“Go ahead.” Mackenzie looked like she wanted to roll her eyes, but restrained herself.
The nurse set to work inserting the needle in the crook of Mackenzie’s arm and connected the IV bag.
The same young doctor that Owen had seen earlier in the week stepped in. He glanced at Owen. “You again. How’s the memory?”
“Nearly all restored,” Owen said.
“Glad to hear it.”
“I guess he’s the doctor who treated you,” Mackenzie said.
Owen nodded.
The doctor approached the bed. “Ms. Steele? I’m Doctor Patterson. Tell me what brings you to the ER tonight.”
