Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Daisy
“Dais, he pushed you off the trail. Wesley pushed you.”
Owen’s voice plays on repeat in my head, as do the flashes of memories of making small talk and casually sipping on my latte with a man who was plotting to kill me.
I know Owen wouldn’t lie to me, but what he described sounds more like an episode of Dateline than my actual reality.
Shock. I suppose that’s what you could call the emotion that bulldozed my psyche after I heard the truth about my fall. The dizziness I’d had since my accident was nothing compared to the mess my head was as my mind reeled with this new information.
But Owen was there. Holding me, calling me baby and telling me he had me. My tears fell, and he held me.
Until the anger set in.
Catfished.
Me. Daisy McKinnon. Catfished.
Pissed off was what I was. Then, two seconds later, my mind went to the woman who was holding my hand when I opened my eyes. All I wanted was to find her and thank her. I was on a roller coaster of emotion, the need to do something… anything overwhelmed me.
I tried to get out of bed, but Owen calmed me and kept me where I was with my foot up. He didn’t leave my side. He kept talking and touching me. If he wasn't holding my hand, he was moving his hand up and down my leg or arm.
As scared as I am, I’m thankful to be here, safe and sound with Owen. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
Needing a moment, I’m hiding in the bathroom with the water running, because as soon as I closed the door and had my first look at my battered body after knowing the truth, my stomach turned.
I flipped on the water in the hopes he wouldn’t hear my retching.
It’s one thing to be covered head to toe in scratches and bruises because of my own clumsiness; it’s a whole other thing to be injured by the hand of another.
To know Wesley’s intention was likely to kill me.
Not Wesley. I don’t even know the bastard’s name.
As great as Owen has been, I needed this time by myself to break down.
However, my mini breakdown has done nothing but empty my stomach and bring on a fresh bout of shakes, intensifying my throbbing headache.
I don’t feel any better, because there is no feeling better as long as I’m alive and the man who tried to kill me is still out there.
Is Wesley a sicko who would have done this to whatever idiot met up with him yesterday, or was it personal?
I had never met him before, so I don’t know how it could be personal unless someone paid him. But who would do that? And if that’s the case, will they keep trying?
Of course, poor Owen didn’t have an answer to these questions, but he sat and listened and answered when he could.
He’s holding back, though. I see it on his face. He has a theory that he isn’t sharing with me yet.
I could have pressed, but I’m not ready to hear suspicions that the incident wasn’t random and that the threat could get worse. As much as I don’t want to be kept in the dark, if he’s just theorizing without any evidence, I’ve heard enough for today.
I brush my teeth, gently wash my face, and run my hands through my hair in an attempt to improve the pitiful reflection staring back at me, but it’s no use. The minimal difference makeup would make isn’t worth the pain of applying it.
My boot and I leave the solitude of the bathroom, and when I enter the bedroom, Owen and Maui are gone. He knew I needed space, and he gave it to me.
Falling into my new rhythm, I walk through the hallway to the stairs. I repeat my move from this morning and plop down on my butt. I’ll figure out how to navigate the steps tomorrow. Not when my insides are quaking from the fear I’m trying to tamp down.
So far, fear one.
Me, zip.
I wish Owen had carpeted stairs because my ass cheeks are sore by the time I reach the bottom step. I pause, allowing myself one more moment to settle my nerves and the emotions I don’t want Owen to see.
He’s been so gentle. Sweet even. But I can see the turmoil behind his baby blues.
One minute he’s scared shitless and the next his rage is simmering beneath the surface.
He thinks I don’t notice, but I see through his calm facade.
He knows me as well as I know him, so he’ll see through me too, but I hope to keep the full weight of my anxiety from him.
Inhaling and exhaling several times, I stand, give my hands a few shakes to get rid of my trembling and force myself forward. Rounding the corner, I find him waiting on a stool in front of the kitchen island. His laptop is closed behind him, and mine is sitting in front of one of the empty stools.
“Hey,” he says with a sad smile.
“Hey.”
“I would have helped you down the stairs. Just scream my name next time. I know you know how.”
I gasp, my mouth hanging open as heat floods over my features. I’m sure I’m beet red.
“Don’t act so bashful, sweetheart. You love screaming my name. You’d be lying if you denied it.”
“Asshole.”
“I prefer truth teller.”
Thank God he’s back to teasing. It’s just what I need.
“Agree to disagree.”
He pats the stool next to him.
I cross the room and take the offered seat. I don’t pull away when he takes one of my hands in his. The feel of his thumb caressing my skin in a steady pattern calms my shattered nerves. I hope he never lets go.
“So, who did you call first?”
I drop my gaze to our joined hands, hiding behind my hair.
“Clover.” He tucks my hair behind my ear, bringing my face into view. “I gave you twenty-four hours. This isn’t right. I’m calling Cal.”
“No!” I panic.
“Daisy, either you do it, or I will.”
Shit!
“Fine! I’ll call Charlie.”
He hands me his phone. “Here you go.”
“I can’t use your phone,” I huff.
“Why not?”
“She’ll see your name on the caller ID.”
“Who cares?”
“I do.”
His lips thin into a smirk that does nothing to hide his hurt. He nods his head. “Right.” His gaze tears from mine. “I’ll go get your phone.”
I open my mouth to say something. Anything to take away the pain I keep inflicting on this man, who’s done nothing but take care of me the last two days, but nothing comes out.
Now who’s the asshole?
Back in less than a minute, he hands me my phone and waits.
Opening my laptop. I pull up my schedule to see what I’ll need Charlie to cover for me. Luckily, there isn’t much I can’t do from bed this week. There are only two face-to-face meetings she’ll have to take since my face isn’t exactly camera ready.
Owen doesn’t move a muscle. He stares a hole through the side of my head while I use my computer as a distraction before finally picking up my phone and pulling up Charlie’s name.
“Hey, lady. I was waiting to hear how your date went. It must have gone if it took you this long to call,” Charlie says when she answers.
“Hey...” I pause, not sure what to say.
Owen bumps my knee with his.
“So, it’s no big deal and I’m fine, so please don’t freak out...”
“Shit. What’s wrong?” she cuts in.
“Promise you won’t freak out?”
“Promise.”
“Well, I sort of fell on my hike yesterday. Like pretty far.”
“Daisy, no! What happened?”
“Well, one second I was on the trail and the next I wasn’t.” Yes, I’m a coward, but I’m not ready to say the words out loud. “I have a concussion, lots of scrapes and bruises, and I have to wear a boot because I tore some tendons from my ankle.”
“That doesn’t sound like you’re fine.”
Well, I’m not dead.
“I’m fine, but not exactly up to seeing clients. I look like the walking dead.”
“Where are you?”
My eyes dart to his. He can hear every word. The house is quiet, and he’s left little space between us. “I’m at Owen’s.”
There’s a moment of silence on the other end of the line. When she does speak, there’s a smile in her voice. “And why is that?”
“He was on duty and showed up on the scene. He followed the ambulance to the hospital and offered to let me stay here since I can’t drive and need to be watched.”
“Interesting.”
I don’t reply to her statement.
“Why didn’t you or Owen call us yesterday?”
“I made him promise not to. I felt stupid. Everyone told me the date was a bad idea.”
“Does he need us to take you off his hands?”
“No, I’m good here. Besides, you’ve got the baby.”
“I’m sure Mia and Gus have room for you.”
“No need. I’m comfortable here.” I look up and lock eyes with him. “I have Maui to cuddle with, so that’s a bonus.”
Doing his best to find my last comment funny, the corner of his mouth lifts, but he’s disappointed. Not only am I downplaying our relationship, but I haven’t told her the whole truth about my fall.
“The dog. Right.”
My cheeks heat because she’s put two and two together.
“Anyway, I have two meetings I need you to take for me. You can bring Gracie over here. Owen and I can watch her.”
“Won’t Owen be at work?”
“Oh, um... he took the week off to help me out since I can’t drive.”
“Of course he did.”
“Charlie, it’s not what you think.”
“That’s right; it’s about the dog.”
She sees right through me.
“Don’t worry, we’ll talk about this later. Right now, you worry about getting better. I have all the details for the meetings. I’ve got it covered.”
“I’m so sorry. I know you’re still on leave.”
“Don’t be sorry. It’s good for me to get out of the house. Besides, if I bring the baby to you, we can have a much-needed chat. Until then, do you need anything? Can I bring you… soup or an ice pack or something?”
“Honestly, I just want to sleep, but thanks.”
I am tired, but the truth is I don’t want visitors. I enjoy being here alone with Owen. And the dog, of course.
“Okay, get some rest, sweetie.”
“Thanks. Oh, and Charlie?”
“Yeah?”
“Can you and Cal not tell Mom? She’s on her cruise. I don’t want her to worry. I’m fine. If we tell her, it will ruin her trip.”
“Sure.”
“And can you maybe not tell Cal until tomorrow? I’d like one last day without my brothers invading my space and my sanity.”
“Daisy, he’ll kill me.”
No, he won’t. But it seems someone might be trying to kill me.
“Please?”