“I’m an adult. You can’t make me go if I don’t want to.”
“Well, now, Rosebud, that sure as hell sounded like an adult talking.” Swinging into the driveway next to The Howler, he drove for a few minutes down the long, winding concrete strip, then turned into the parking lot in front of Yelp Medical Facility. Climbing out, Jake went around the hood to open the passenger door. It was locked. Pulling the keys he had just pocketed back out with a loud sigh, he unlocked it and opened the door. “Real mature, O’Donnell.”
“I hate you.” He could barely hear the whispered words as he bent to slip his hands beneath her thighs and pick her up. She was shaking so hard he could feel it through her entire body. This was about more than a concussion; this was a reaction to fear, plain and simple, and he had firsthand knowledge of fear and what it could do to you if you let it take root.
“Ungrateful is what you are, Rosebud, and me being a good Samaritan and all.”
“I can walk,” were the next words out of her mouth, which made him snort. She was shaking and her breathing was now a rasp. “I have to tell you something.” Her head lay on his chest as he walked toward the doors.
“I’m listening.”
“I’m scared of doctors, hospitals, clinics, needles, and anything to do with all of the above.”
“No kidding.”
“F-fuck you, McBride.”
“That took me straight back to twelfth grade.”
“Pl-please, don’t make me go in there,” she whispered.
He looked down at her and the terror in her eyes made something jolt inside him.
“They’re good people in here, Rosebud. They’ll be gentle, I promise.”
Her good hand suddenly grabbed a fistful of his shirt. “Don’t think I can do this.”
“Trust me.”
She tilted her head back to look up at him as he opened the doors. “Why?”
“Because I give you my word that no one inside these walls will harm you in any way.” He’d said the words solemnly, almost as if they were an oath.
“I’ll try.” After that, she rested her head on his chest again, but didn’t relax any. In fact, the knuckles on the fist she had in his shirt were white.
“This is my favorite shirt, O'Donnell. You rip it, you buy a new one.”
“Sweat, baby, pure and natural essence of McBride.”
Using the hand under her to turn the handle, Jake nudged the door with his foot and walked inside. He put Branna in one of the waiting room chairs, the one furthest from the doors in case she got the urge to make a run for it, and then made his way up to the reception desk.
* * *
A Promise Of Home
Other Books By Wendy Vella
Contemporary Romances
* * *
The Lake Howling Series
A Promise Of Home
The Texan Meets His Match
How Sweet It Is
It Only Took You
Don’t Look Back
A Long Way Home
* * *
The Ryker Falls Series
Somebody To Love
From This Moment
* * *
Historical Romances
* * *
Regency Rakes Series
Duchess By Chance
Rescued By A Viscount
Tempting Miss Allender
* * *
The Langley Sisters Series
Lady In Disguise
Lady In Demand
Lady In Distress
The Lady Plays Her Ace
The Lady Seals Her Fate
* * *
The Raven & Sinclair Series
Sensing Danger
Seeing Danger
Scent Of Danger
Vision Of Danger
* * *
The Lords Of Night Street Series
Lord Gallant
Lord Valiant
Lord Valorous
Lord Noble
* * *
Stand-Alone Titles
The Reluctant Countess
Christmas Wishes
The Earl’s Encounter
Mistletoe and The Marquess