Chapter Eight #2
Charly nodded, then frowned. She rubbed at the side of her head. “I think I hit the window.”
Worry tugged at Billie. He reached up, touched the place above her ear that she had rubbed. “Did they do a scan to make sure there was no injury?”
“They did. I guess we’ll know when the doctor shows up.”
A soft knock and then the door opened.
Billie glanced at her. “Looks like that’s now.”
“Afternoon, Ms. Nix.” Chart in hand, a man entered the room and walked up to the exam table where Charly sat. “Let’s have a look at you, shall we?”
The doctor was maybe forty. Had the suntan of a man who spent plenty of time outdoors. He looked fit. Seemed affable.
“I’m fine, really,” she said for about the fifth time. “I bumped my head on the window, and the airbag gave me quite a punch.” She put a hand to her chest. “But otherwise I’m fine.”
When the doctor had completed a quick exam, he said, “Your scan showed no issues. Other than being sore for a few days I think you’re one lucky lady.
” He stepped back, signaling that he was finished with his exam.
“If you start having any issues, persistent headaches, nausea, anything out of the ordinary, go straight to your primary physician or come on back here. Otherwise, I expect you shouldn’t see anything more than some bruising from the airbag.
Unless you’re having significant pain, any over-the-counter pain medication should take care of your needs. ”
“Thank you.” Charly smiled. “I have those at home.”
Billie gave the man a nod. When he’d gone, he turned to Charly. “As soon as the nurse comes back with your release papers, we can go.”
Charly eased off the table but remained standing close so she could lean against it. “I should call a towing company.” She groaned. “I’ll need a rental.”
“The deputy who helped me move your groceries said he’d call one.”
“Good.” She blew out a breath. “I guess that only leaves filing my insurance claim.”
Her tone warned she was not looking forward to that part. No one ever did. “We missed lunch. Maybe we should stop by JJ’s again. Grab some burgers and fries.”
“Sure.”
She didn’t sound overly enthusiastic but that was understandable. Her vehicle was wrecked. She had come close to serious injury herself. Not a good morning.
Billie was just glad she was okay. He thought of his sister and Martin. He sure hoped they were okay, too.
Bradly Retreat
Deep Woods Trail, 2:15 p.m.
CHARLY PAUSED AT her kitchen doorway and surveyed the numerous bags. “This is going to take some time.”
“Tell me what to do,” Billie offered as he joined her. “I can help.”
“There’s a pantry over there.” She pointed to another smaller doorway. “You can just put things wherever they fit on the shelves. I can organize later. I usually stack the cases of water in there as well.”
“On it.” He headed across the room.
“I’ll separate out the stuff I need to take to the cabins and start on the fruit baskets.”
Billie grabbed the first case of water. “You want me to put one of these in Lola? I assume you’re stocking water at the cabins, too.”
“Yes. Thanks.”
He stacked three cases in the pantry and exited the back door with the other. Lola sat only a few yards from the back deck steps. He dropped the case of water into the bed of the UTV and turned to head back inside.
A white pickup coming up the drive from the main road gave him pause.
Maybe one of the deputies but not an official vehicle.
He waited until the vehicle grew closer then he spotted the Vince’s Equipment Rental signage on the door.
The pickup parked next to his SUV. A man, late thirties, tall, dark hair, headed toward the front porch.
Billie returned to the kitchen through the back door.
“You have company,” he said about the same time a knock sounded at the front door.
Charly stopped sorting fruit. “Anyone you recognize?”
Billie shook his head. “Whoever he is, he’s driving a white pickup. Tall guy with dark hair. Vince’s Equipment Rental is on the door.”
Charly nodded. “Vince Cox.” She headed for the front door. “He probably heard about the accident. Word travels fast around here.”
As soon as she opened the door, Vince stepped inside and gave her a hug. “What the heck, Charly?” He drew back. “I just heard about your accident. You okay?”
She nodded. “Sure, I’m fine. Come on in.” She moved away from the door; the man who clearly had a thing for her followed.
Billie pushed away from the kitchen door and crossed the room. “Billie Jagger.” He extended his hand. “Thanks again for allowing us to have a look at your security camera footage.”
Vince gave Billie’s hand a firm, quick shake. “Happy to help any way I can. It’s a shame these things happen.”
“It is,” Billie agreed.
Vince turned his attention back to Charly. “You know I’ve got that little Maverick pickup if you need a vehicle to use until yours is prepared. I’m more than happy to bring it over.”
Charly looked from him to Billie and back. “I… I suppose that would be a good plan. Save the trouble of getting a rental.” She winced. “But I’m not sure how long my SUV will be out of commission, and I have guests coming on Friday.”
Vince held up his hands. “I’ll have it over here by the time we close. Use it as long as you need to.”
“Thanks.” Charly smiled, which seemed to make the guy inordinately happy. “I really appreciate it.”
He gave her a nod. “I’d better get back to the office. Just wanted to check in with you. You let me know if you need anything at all.” He sent a nod in Billie’s direction and then was gone.
When Charly closed the door, Billie shot her a grin. “That’s some fan you’ve got there.”
Charly waved him off. “He was friends with my husband. He’s just being neighborly.”
Billie followed her back to the kitchen. The man may have been friends with her husband but what he wanted now was to be friends—good friends—with her.
“Unless I can help you in some way,” he said, kicking the idea aside, “I have a call I need to make to a source.”
“I’m good here. You do what you need. Finding Briana and Martin is top priority. I don’t want to slow you down in any way.”
“I’ll be back shortly. I want to help.” You, he didn’t add. His protective instincts were swarming…but other feelings were stirring as well.
You’re going way too fast here, pal.
Sometimes a stressful situation caused a person to reach out for any available form of comfort. He didn’t want Charly to be his comfort…not like this.
He paused at the door and glanced back at her. But he wanted her…more than was smart for either of them.