And suddenly he was ice-cold. “Are you sure?”
She winced when she nodded.
“Do you hurt anywhere else?”
“No.”
“Take this and call Jake McBride when you get service. He’s a doctor. Tell him what’s happened and that I’m taking her to The Yelp.” Ryan handed Shay his cellphone.
Shay didn’t hesitate and was soon searching for the number.
Ryan stood and lifted Faith into his arms as Shay the made the call.
“I-I can w-walk.”
“No, you can’t.” Ryan started moving.
She closed her eyes and turned her face into his shoulder. The fact that she wasn’t demanding he put her down told him just how much her head hurt.
Faith was a fighter. Determined and independent. She never let anyone do something she could do for herself.
“Sick, Ryan.”
“You’re going to be sick?”
She nodded.
Lowering her to her feet, he held her around the waist as she threw up into the undergrowth.
“Go now, Shay. Get reception and make that call.”
His friend didn’t hesitate, just took off at a run.
“It’s okay, Faith.” He held her as she retched. She moaned softly as she emptied the contents of her stomach. Her head must be killing her.
“D-Done.”
Ryan lifted her back into his arms, and she pressed her face into his neck.
“I have you.” He carried her the rest of the way into town, cutting behind the shops to reach the medical center driveway, knowing that Faith wouldn’t want anyone to see her like this.
Jake was waiting outside when he reached the front entrance.
“I was in The Hoot when Shay called. What happened?” He moved in to look at Faith, pushing back her hair to see the cut.
“A tree,” Ryan said. They could go into more detail when Faith was ready to talk about it.
“Ouchie.” Jake winced.
“Ouchie?”
“Medical term,” he said to Ryan. “Bring her in, and we’ll clean her up. It’s okay now, Faith; we got you.”
Once in a room, Ryan lowered her to the bed. “You’ll be okay now; Jake will make the pain go away,” Ryan said, bracing his hands on either side of Faith’s shoulders.
“Thanks.”
She looked like hell. Blood was matted in her hair and streaked her face. She was pale, shaking, and those eyes…. Hell, the look in them hit him hard in the stomach. He wanted to hold her and tell her she was safe; no one could hurt her now.