AllFreeNovel
Share Us
There was a cough as the police officer stood in front of us.
“The paramedics are here and will give you a once-over to see if you need to go to hospital. We will also need a full statement from you about what happened. Are you up to answering a few questions now?” The police officer peered at me. “We are already aware of the restraining order you had on Mr. Patterson in the UK.”
I nodded. As long as I could keep hold of Ryan’s hand and stay lying down, I would be okay.
I told them what had led up to the kidnapping. My body still trembled but I would go on.
“When I came around, I was here. He tied me to the ledge and left me there all night while he sat, ate, and drank whiskey. Eventually, he fell asleep. I tried to break free but couldn’t. I was going to faint at one point so he gave me water. As the day wore on, he drank more excessively and became more impatient. Said he had rented the place for weeks and would watch me starve if he had to. Then I heard the front doorbell and Ryan arrived.”
The police officer looked at Ryan. “You should have waited for us. This could have turned out a lot worse.”
“I know. I’m sorry, but I had to do something. When I burst into the room, I saw Autumn hanging off the balcony, and I had to try to get to her. Kevin fought me, got a knife, and tried to cut the ropes holding her up. I charged him and we both went over. That was when you came in.”
Bluey lay on the couch next to me and put his head on my lap. Just patting him calmed me down. I loved this daft dog as much as his owner. He had been so brave today.
The paramedics came in and Ryan stood and left them to their examination. Because I had been unconscious, I guessed they would want to do more investigations. I hadn’t eaten or drunk in hours and was weak. Plus, one side of my face was swollen and might hide fractures. I dreaded to think what I must look like and yet, Ryan and Bluey gazed at me with love.
The paramedic took my vital signs.
“I think we’re going to keep you in overnight for observation. The doctors will need to do some X-rays, and I’d like you to have intravenous fluids as you’re extremely dehydrated. You’re still in shock, and I’m going to give you something to help calm you down.”
I tried to stand, but my legs gave out again, and Ryan and the paramedic lowered me back to the couch. They brought in a stretcher, put an intravenous drip in my arm, and gave me some drugs and fluid replacement. Exhausted as I was as I drifted to sleep, it occurred to me that I was safe now. I would always be safe from now on.
* * *
Two days later, my body was bruised and battered but would heal. My mind was a different matter. I kept having flashbacks, not only of the last few days, but of the past when Kevin had stalked me in London.
When the door to the hospital room opened, two men stood there—two men who meant so much to me—Grant and Ryan. I loved them both and was so lucky to have them in my life.
Ryan stood back as Grant gave me the biggest hug ever.
When he pulled away, he gave me the once-over like any doctor would.
“I got here as soon as I could. Ryan told me what happened, and I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
“I’m all good now and they said I can go home. Thank you so much for coming. Just seeing your face helps. I don’t know what I would have done without the two of you.”
The nurses did one more set of observations and said I could leave. Ryan embraced me and took me out to the car in a wheelchair. I wanted to walk but the nurse insisted. When we got back to the cottage, Bluey ran out, and Dorothy was there too. I burst into tears again as I hugged my neighbor.
I would get over this with all my friends around me. I had to.
TWENTY-TWO
Autumn
Two weeks had passed since the kidnapping, and I was recovering well. The bruises on my face had healed, and I was lucky I didn’t have a fractured skull or cheekbone. On the inside, I woke up every morning feeling like a rat was gnawing at my stomach. When I tried to sleep, my head tightened like a steel bar was bent around it.
It was all over so what was wrong with me? I should be happy.
Kevin was dead and couldn’t get to me anymore, but the images in my head would not go away. Grant had stayed for a week and spent days talking to me about everything and anything so I wouldn’t freak out being on my own. He was wonderful and made me laugh. I was so lucky to have a friend like him in my life. Ryan still had to work, and Dorothy would pop in a lot. Time would eventually heal me. It was what I would say to my patients and I had to believe it.
Ryan stayed with me every night, but I would still wake up in a sweat having dreamed that I was hanging over the edge of the ravine again. The only difference was I would fall and land on Kevin’s dead body. I would dream my hands were covered in blood as his face and vacant eyes stared at me. Ryan would rock me in his arms and hold me until I slept again.
I wanted to go back to work, but it would not be fair on the patients. I could not risk them saying something and having a panic attack.
Ryan said he wanted to talk with me this evening when he got home. He was being so patient with me, and I loved him more for it.
Tonight, we were just going to have a quiet dinner at home. We’d eaten our meal, but all he had done was make small talk. I could tell something was on his mind. I cleared the dishes away, poured another glass of wine, and sat on the couch. He joined me, and as always I took comfort from him being near.
