Shirlee McCoy - Running for Cover

“Really, Sheriff Reed, I don’t need to go to the hospital. All I need are a few aspirins and an ice pack.”

Of course, she did need to go. There’d be a team waiting to collect forensic evidence from her clothes, hair and skin. Photographs would be taken. Doctor’s reports written. Everything done to ensure that anything collected would be admissible in court.

Sheriff Reed didn’t mention any of those things as two EMTs approached. Jackson didn’t either, but the thought of Morgan facing doctors, police and victim’s advocate alone didn’t sit well with him.

“Is there anyone you want me to call for you, Morgan? Family? Friends? Someone who can meet you at the hospital?”

“No. Thanks.”

An EMT dropped a blanket over her shoulders and urged her toward the ambulance. She took a few steps and stopped, turning to face Jackson. “In case I don’t see you again, thanks. For everything. If you hadn’t shown up—” she paused, shaking her head. “Thanks.”

In case I don’t see you again.

The words were eerily similar to the ones Jackson’s sister had spoken two and a half years ago. They’d been at their parents’ house, celebrating their youngest sister’s engagement. At the end of the evening, Lindsey had hugged Jackson tight, kissed his cheek and told him she loved him. Surprised, he’d laughed and asked what all the mushy stuff was about. Her words had haunted him ever since, echoing in his mind and drifting into his dreams. I just want you to know how I feel. In case something happens and we never see each other again.

She’d followed the remark with a quick comment about Jackson’s dangerous line of work, and they’d parted ways. A month later, Lindsey was dead, murdered by her estranged husband. Too late, Jackson heard her words for what they were—a cry for help. He couldn’t go back and change the past, couldn’t redo that moment, ask the questions that should have been asked. What he could do was make sure that Morgan really was okay.

An hour at the hospital, and Jackson would get back to what he’d come to Lakeview for. Tomorrow, he’d watch as Jude and Lacey vowed to love each other forever, he’d pray that their forever was much longer than his sister’s had been, and then he’d row out onto Smith Mountain Lake, inhale the cool autumn air and hope that somehow he’d find the peace he’d been searching for since Lindsey’s death.

Morgan pulled on a borrowed sweatshirt, wincing as the fabric brushed against her bandaged forehead. She’d told Sheriff Reed that all she needed were a few aspirins and an ice pack and she’d be fine. That was before the pain hit. Now she thought she might need a couple days in bed and some heavy-duty painkillers before she felt better. Her head throbbed, her jaw ached and her ribs hurt with every breath. Though the doctor assured her nothing was broken, moving was painful, and Morgan grimaced as she shoved her feet into sneakers that were a size too big and leaned down to tie the laces. At least she had shoes. The clothes she’d been wearing during the attack had been taken as evidence. If not for the kindness of several nurses, Morgan would be stuck wearing a hospital gown home.

And she was going home.

Despite the doctor’s recommendation that she stay for twenty-four-hour observation, Morgan was determined to return to the gallery as soon as Sheriff Reed gave her the okay. She had calls to make and packing to do. It had been two years since she’d last visited her family in Spokane, Washington. She’d thought there would be plenty of time for trips west after she established her gallery, but no one was guaranteed a tomorrow. Thanks to Cody and his thug friends, Morgan realized that now more than ever.

“Ms. Alexandria?” A young nurse poked her head into the room, her wide-eyed gaze making Morgan feel like a bug under a microscope. Worse, it made her feel like a victim, and that was something she’d promised herself she’d never be again.

“Yes?”

“There’s someone here to see you.”

“I’d rather not—”

Before she could get the words out, a man nudged past the nurse and stepped into the room. Morgan recognized him immediately. Rangy and tall with auburn hair and midnight-blue eyes, he looked exactly like a hero should—tough, trustworthy and strong.

Or maybe the fact that he’d saved Morgan’s life was skewing her perspective. “Jackson? What are you doing here?”

“Making sure you’re all right.” He said it as if coming to the hospital to visit a stranger was the most natural thing in the world. And they were strangers despite the way Morgan’s heart leaped in recognition as she looking into his eyes.

“Shouldn’t you be out searching for a wedding present for Jude and Lacey instead?”

“That can wait,” he said, his gaze dropping to the too-large shoes she wore. “Are you going somewhere?”

“Home.”

“It might be best if you stay here for the night.”

“That’s what the doctor keeps telling me, but I’m feeling well enough to leave.”

“It’s not just your physical condition I’m worried about, Morgan. The two men who attacked you are still on the loose. Until they’re found, the hospital is the safest place for you.”

“If they want to find me, the hospital is going to be no safer than anyplace else.”

“If?” he asked, raising an eyebrow, the gesture as practiced as the charming smile he’d flashed when she’d opened the gallery door. He reminded her of Cody. The same easy charm and playboy exterior that hid more than it showed. She glanced away, uncomfortable with the comparison and with her own need to make it.

“They’ve got no reason to come looking for me again.”

“They didn’t get what they wanted, did they?”

“No.”

“That’s more than enough reason. They risked a lot tonight. I doubt they’ll back down now. You said they wanted a disk that your husband gave you, right?”

“My ex-husband. And he didn’t give me anything.” The last gift he’d given her had been the diamond-and-ruby heart pendant he’d presented to Morgan on their sixth anniversary. It had been too expensive and ostentatious to wear, and after the divorce Morgan hadn’t felt at all bad about selling it and all the other jewelry he’d given her to help finance her gallery.

“Maybe it’s packed away in a box somewhere. Is it possible he slipped it into your belongings without you knowing it?”

“No offense, Jackson, but I’ve been asked these questions at least a dozen times by three different deputies. I’d rather not answer them again until Sheriff Reed gets here.”

Morgan eased down into a chair by the window. She wanted out of the hospital and out of the mess she’d suddenly found herself in. A mess of Cody’s making.

Of course.

That seemed to have been the pattern of their lives while they were married. Cody messing up. Morgan cleaning up.

“You okay?” Jackson asked, crossing the room and crouching down in front of Morgan, his hand touching hers for just a moment, the warmth of it remaining after he let it fall away.

“Fine. I’m just ready to get out of here. I’ve got things to do before tomorrow.”

“You look pale. How about I call the nurse?” He leaned closer, his eyes deep blue and flecked with gold and deep brown. An interesting color. The kind a woman could get lost in if she let herself.

Morgan wouldn’t let herself. She’d been down that path before, been interested, attracted and then in love. All she’d gotten from that was trouble. “Look, I appreciate your concern, and I’m grateful for everything you did tonight, but I really am fine.”

“And I can go back to wherever I came from?”

“Something like that.”