Page 4 of Running to You

She looked to Sam, and when he nodded, she said, “Okay.”

Daniel touched the sides of her head, then inched his fingers back toward where she’d indicated. “Ah. You have quite a bump back here. I bet that’s painful.” He sat back on the coffee table. “Can you do something for me? Can you try to think past that pain for a second and tell me what else hurts? I know the head injury is the worst, so close your eyes and breathe through the pain for a few moments. Let the rest of your body speak to you.”

She did as he asked, taking a few deep breaths. Lifting a palm to her cheek, she said, “Here.” And then, she rubbed her opposite wrist. “And here.”

Her arms dropped to her sides.

“Good.” His voice lowered further, taking on a rhythmic cadence, almost meditative. “Take your time. Is there anything else that hurts?”

She opened her eyes. “I can’t think past the headache. I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize. I noticed you stumbled. Do your legs hurt? Or your feet?”

“I was just dizzy.”

“Do you feel sick to your stomach? Any pain in your chest? Your ribs?”

She considered the questions. Then, “No.”

“Okay, good. If something else starts to hurt, or if you start to feel sick, you need to tell me, okay?” At her nod, he said, “Sam, grab me another blanket.”

He did and laid it over Eliza. She snuggled beneath it. It wasn’t cold in the room, but she was shivering. Was she in shock?

Thank God Daniel was here.

Camilla stepped into the space wearing yoga pants and a T-shirt. No shoes. Daniel must have texted her. She stopped beside Sam and addressed Eliza. “Hi. I’m Camilla.”

“Hi.” Eliza’s voice was low, but she smiled. She’d always been like that—kind, welcoming.

Daniel spoke to Sam. “Go get a warm, wet washcloth and a glass of water. And you might start some tea, if you have some.”

“I’ll stay. Maybe Camilla—”

“You’ll go.” Again, Daniel’s voice was gentle but firm.

Eliza hadn’t asked him to leave. But then, Eliza seemed very confused.

He hurried to the kitchen and shoved a mug of water into the microwave. While it warmed, he searched for tea bags. He had to have some somewhere. His housekeeper kept the pantry stocked. Weren’t tea bags a staple?

There. A box of herbals right beside the coffee. He chose one at random.

Three minutes later, he carried both drinks back to the living room, a wet towel draped over his arm, his pockets filled with antibacterial cream, bandages, and a bottle of ibuprofen.

Daniel was giving Eliza simple commands, which she was responding to.

Camilla met him at the door and took the two cups and the washcloth, whispering, “Daniel wants you to wait in the kitchen.”

No chance.

But he stayed at the threshold, watching his brother work. Daniel was confident and competent, but it was his soothing tone that impressed Sam. Eliza had gone from fearing him—though why had she?—to trusting him in a matter of minutes.

He examined her wrist, asking her questions as he did. After a moment, he said, “It’s just a sprain. We’ll get something to wrap it.”

Camilla touched Sam’s arm. “In the other room?”

Sam kept his voice as low as his sister-in-law’s. “Has she said anything? Why she’s here?”

Camilla shook her head. “She doesn’t seem to remember.”