As soon as they were gone, Riley grabbed Phoenix’s elbow, hanging on even when she tried to avoid the contact, and guided her to his truck. “Let’s get you to a doctor.”
The second Riley mentioned doctor, she wrenched away from him. “No, I―I don’t need a doctor.”
“He’ll check out that cut, tell us if it needs stitches.”
“A doctor will cost money. And I…I have other plans for…for my income in the next while.”
What income? He doubted she had any, but he couldn’t say that. “Phoenix…”
“Stop,” she said. “I’ve had worse than this. This is nothing.”
Watching her closely, he could see that she was dizzy. “Do it for Jacob’s peace of mind, then.”
“Please, don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“I haven’t got the money for a doctor. I’m sure you know that.”
“I’ll look after the bill,” he said, but he should’ve known that wouldn’t convince her.
She edged farther away from him. Then she started down the street at a faster clip than he felt she should. “I’m okay,” she called back. “Go take care of Jacob.”
“Damn it, Phoenix.” He hurried after her. “Why do you have to be so stubborn? It won’t cost that much.”
She hadn’t bothered to turn when he spoke, so he’d been talking to her back. “It’s a waste of money,” she told him over one shoulder. “I’m fine, like I said.”
“It’s five miles to your place. You’ll never make it.”
She made no comment.
“Soon you won’t even be able to see where you’re going, what with all that blood.”
Again, she didn’t respond. She’d managed to put a little distance between them and obviously thought she was getting away. But he wasn’t about to let her go. He had no idea whether she’d make it. So he jogged after her and swept her into his arms, which wasn’t hard since she didn’t weigh much.
“Ah!” she cried. He’d startled her. She hadn’t expected that move. He guessed her head hurt, too, and being jarred hadn’t helped.
“We’re doing this my way,” he said, and carried her to his truck.
You can read the full first chapter on the author’s website: HERE
New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Brenda Novak is the author of fifty books. A four-time Rita nominee, she has won many awards, including the National Reader’s Choice, the Bookseller’s Best, the Book Buyer’s Best, the Daphne, and the Holt Medallion. She also runs Brenda Novak for the Cure, a charity to raise money for diabetes research (her youngest son has this disease). To date, she’s raised $2.4 million. For more about Brenda, please visit www.brendanovak.com.
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