Part 2 (1/2)

aLay still. Youare fine,a Maggie said, and he closed his eyes. aYou all did great. I think heall be fine. The only problem is infection. I brought some antibiotics if that happens. Hopefully, we wonat need them.a She checked his pulse again. aHe hasnat lost too much blood and the wound wasnat that deep. I think itas exposure and exhaustion more than anything.a She stood and stretched her back.

aYouare remarkable,a Mac said.

aThanks, Mac. Heall sleep for a while. We can check on him later.a We all stood in the kitchen dumbfounded. Maggie stood at the sink and washed her hands. She looked around and I handed her a towel.

aThanks,a she said and looked at me, searching my facea”probably looking for some sign of sanity.

aMac was right, you were remarkable,a I said.

She looked up and smiled. aWell, thanks again.a She gave me a concerned look as a doctor gives a patient.

We were silent for a moment until Mac spoke. aWhen that young man wakes up, I have a few questions for him.a aI have one right now,a I said tiredly. aHow did Mr. Sullivan know Mac was at my house?a I glanced at Mac, who shrugged. aWell, he said the fellow who stabbed him was outside this house,a Mac offered.

aAnd what was that guy doing outside my house? Mr. Sullivan must have been either following that guy, whoever he is, or he knows him andaa I stopped and looked down the hall.

aHe wonat be answering any questions tonight, Kate. I gave him a sedative,a Maggie said simply.

aI certainly could use one,a Hannah mumbled and put a shaky hand to her silver hair.

aDo you think he was serious about not leaving the house?a Teri asked.

I looked at the clock, ten thirty. aI have a bad feeling here. Why donat you all spend the night?a I asked and looked at Maggie. aMaggie, if he wakes up during the night, Iad feel better if you were here. Mac and Teri, you take my room. Hannah, you can have the other spare room. Maggie can take the couch. I donat know whatas going on here, but I would feel better if you stayed.a Maggie stood. aI agree. Iam going to check on our patient. Iall be right back.a We were silent as Maggie left the kitchen. Mac turned to me. aYou okay, kiddo? You were out of it for a minute or two.a I walked over to the sink and leaned against it. aAll I could see was the blood. I thought about Bob, his leg covered in ita”a I slammed my hand on the counter. It was all coming back in a hurry, all the ugliness.

Mac came over to me. aItas okay. Itas over anda”a I whirled around to him. aItas not over! Five years and I still canat get over it. Dammit!a I stopped and took a deep quivering breath, trying to calm the anxiety attack I feared was coming. aOkay, enough. I have some stranger bleeding in my spare room, and Iam standing here like a jacka.s.sa”a aKate, youare not a jacka.s.s,a Hannah said and pulled me down for a warm hug. aPerhaps just an a.s.s, but never a jacka.s.s.a As I pulled back, I noticed Maggie standing in the doorway sporting a worried look.

aHey, howas the patient?a I turned away and got a gla.s.s of water as my hands shook pathetically.

aHeas still asleep. Iam sure heall sleep the night,a she said. I could feel her watching me.

aWhich is what weare planning. Ganight, ladies,a Mac said, and he and Teri left the kitchen.

aIall get your bed ready,a I said to Hannah and walked past them to the other spare bedroom.

With everyone safely in their rooms, I pulled out the sheets, and together, Maggie and I made up the couch. I could tell Maggie wanted to say something. She always hums to herself when something is on her mind. She was doing this now and it was driving me nuts.

aOkay, okay, what?a I asked impatiently.

She looked up. aWhat, what?a aDonat what, what me. You always hum when you want to say something but donat know if you should.a aI do not. Do I?a aYes, you do. Whatas on your mind?a aI was wondering what happened to you back there. You looked a little rattled. Iave never seen you like that before.a She threw the cover on the couch.

aN-Nothing happened. I guess I was stunned, thatas all,a I said quickly. aAll set for beddy-bye? In ya go.a aOkay, I know a brush-off when I get one,a she said too seriously and walked over to the fireplace.

Not knowing what to say, I wisely kept my mouth shut.

aI know we havenat talked about much for the past few months,a Maggie said. aYouave been traveling and Iave been at the hospital. Itas hard to get to know each other. I donat know how you feel, but Iad like to.a aMaggie, thereas things you donat know that Iam not sure I can talk about right now. Ia”a I stopped and ran my fingers through my hair. aLook, itas late. Why donat we get some sleep? A lot has happened.a aI canat make you talk. Iall listen whenever youare ready.a She reached up and kissed my cheek. aWhere are you going to sleep?a aMy sleeping bag will be fine for tonight,a I said and retrieved the bag from the closet. As I laid it out in front of the fireplace, I felt Maggie watching me.

aThanks for the party. It was sweet of you,a she said and slipped under the covers.

I struggled into the sleeping bag and stifled a huge groan. I was getting too old for sleeping bags. aYouare welcome. I was glad to do it,a I said and yawned wildly. aGanight.a aGood night.a I watched the flames for a time, listening to Maggieas deep breathing. Only when I was sure she was asleep did I have the courage to steal a look at her. She was lying on her side, facing the fire. The fireas light danced around her face and I smiled when I saw her brow furrowed as if she were dreaming. The image of lying next to her and holding her close flashed through my mind. I quickly dismissed it.

Maggie was becoming such a good friend. I donat know how you feel, but Iad like to. Her words rang in my ears. Could it be possible to tell her, to let her in on the shame that I carried?

Chance, the loyal but cowardly mutt who was suspiciously absent during this entire mess, jumped up and lay on my stomach. Her nose was inches away from mine. aYou understand me, donat you?a I whispered and ruffled her ears. aDonat answer that.a She licked my face in response.

I was dreaming that Maggie was kneeling next to me. I opened my eyes and there she was, kneeling next to me. aKate, wake up,a she said.

aWhatas wrong?a I whispered, rubbing my eyes. I heard Chance growling from somewhere inside my sleeping bag. How did she get in there?

aI think somebodyas in your yard.a I jumped up, nearly threw out my back, and stumbled to the kitchen.

Through the blinds, I saw a figure roaming about. Chance barked and the figure took off. The fleeing figure in a dark coat hopped my fence and was gone. I reached for the door handle and Maggie grabbed my hand.

aOh, no, you donat,a she insisted.

I watched for several minutes and saw nothing more. aIam sure Chance scared the h.e.l.l out of him.a I made sure the door was locked.

It was then I noticed Maggie was s.h.i.+vering. I put my arm around her shoulders and felt the silky material of her robe. aNice duds,a I whispered. I heard the soft laugh and chuckled along.

aAre you flirting with me, Miss Ryan?a she asked.

aIam not sure,a I answered honestly.

To my surprise, she reached up and caressed my cheek. Quit touching me.

aWell, thatas a start,a she said.

We made another check of all the doors and windows. Peter was still sleeping.

aWhat in the h.e.l.l is going on?a Maggie asked as we stood in the hallway.

aI wish I knew,a I said. aWeall know for sure by Monday morning. Get some sleep.a I had a bad feeling wead know a great deal more on Monday. Much more than we wanted.

Chapter 4.

I woke up to the smell of coffee. As I crawled out of my sleeping bag, I fought the urge to continue crawling and grabbed onto the desk chair. I got to my knees first, then I stretched my back and finally stood, feeling like h.o.m.o erectus coming out of a long winteras hibernation. G.o.d, I was stiff! Itas not that Iam olda”forty-four isnat that old, but oh, I felt every bit and then some in the morning.

I heard somebody humming as I ambled toward the kitchen. Maggie was at the stove, putting bacon in a pan. She looked down at Chance the Beggar.

aNo, this is not for you. And donat go waking up Kate, either, she spoils you.a My loyal canine then offered her paw. I hid my eyesa”Chance was a flirt. Maggie chuckled, ruffled her ears, and offered a piece of bacon. aI hope this doesnat wreak havoc with your cholesterol.a I stood against the doorjamb with my arms folded across my chest. This is a nice sight. Somehow, it seemed right to see this feisty woman in my home.

As she stood, she noticed me. aGood morning, did I wake you?a aNo, I smelled coffee. I thought you didnat know how to cook.a I looked at the sizzling pan.

aI donat. I thought you might finish,a she said sheepishly. She thrust the kitchen utensil in my hand. aIam going to check on our patient. He should be waking up soon.a She dashed out of the kitchen.

aHey! Get back here,a I said and turned off the stove.

I followed her down the hall, and as she opened the door, Peter stirred and woke. Not realizing where he was, he tried to sit up. Maggie put her hand on his shoulder.