Something about him isn’t quite as charming as Flint, either. I’m not sure what because he’s not bad looking.
Maybe it’s his stride? It’s purposeful, deliberate, kind of rigid. Makes me want to start chanting right-left, left-right-left.
No surprise. Probably because Hawaii is full of military men.
Don’t even ask me how I know.
The stiff marching guy arrives next to the bed and stares at me with sharp emerald-green eyes. “How do you feel?”
Crap sandwich still fits the description. Even if it’s not as brutal as before.
I don’t know, honestly. Right now, I feel more confused than like I’m about to go to pieces.
“Just dandy,” I say, resting my chin on one hand.
Flint lets out a chuckle. The other man looks at him.
Flint shrugs. “She told me she feels like shit.”
Heat burns my cheeks. Great. I’m so glad I remember how to be shamed into a hole.
The other man grins at me and winks. “You have some color today. That’s a good sign.”
Sign of what? Embarrassment? And why did he wink at me?
Does he think I’m kidding? I really had felt like utter crap. Maybe I still do and can’t quite process how craptacular I truly feel.
“Have you eaten anything?” he asks.
“Give her a break, Cash. She just woke up a few minutes ago,” Flint says.
The man nods and sets something on the edge of the bed. A leather bag. It’s not a briefcase or computer bag. Almost looks more like an old-timey doctor’s bag.
This just keeps getting weirder. Doctors don’t make house calls, do they?
Apparently, this one does. He opens up his bag and pulls out a stethoscope. “I’m going to have a listen and check your lungs. We can’t risk pneumonia setting in,” he says sharply.
I shudder. “Pneumonia?”
Flint squeezes my hand. “Cash is a good doctor. Thorough as hell. Trust him.”
Like I have any reason to trust anything here. But it’s not like I really have a choice, either.
“Can you sit up?” the other guy—Dr. Cash, apparently—asks.
I think so. I try.
Flint helps me, keeping one hand on my back, still clasping my other hand while the doctor moves the stethoscope around my back, sides, and front. The cold metal disc feels weirdly pleasant after everything else.
I’m wearing a white Waikiki beach t-shirt. No bra, and I’m pretty sure it’s ditto for my underwear.
What the what? Nothing makes sense.
“All clear.” He drapes the stethoscope around his neck. “That’s the good news. Now let me take a look at that cut.”
I look at Flint, unsure about so many things.
He smiles and props the pillows up behind me. “He may not look like it, but he really is a good doctor. I’ve seen him fix up more than a few people on the ropes.”
He’s right about one thing. This doctor who performs house calls sure doesn’t look like any MD I know. And my little memory problem doesn’t change that.
He’s wearing a yellow Maui t-shirt, khaki shorts, and white socks. I do a double take.
No one in Hawaii wears shoes inside their house, except for tourists, but socks…seriously? People only wear socks around here when they’re hiking or running or heading off for a fancy dinner.
Chalking that up as another odd tidbit, I lean back against the pillows, turn my head slightly, and hold my breath, preparing for more pain.
There’s a little stabby discomfort as Dr. Cash examines my injury, but nothing severe.
“Good,” he says. “Looks like the butterfly stitches are doing the trick.”
Hoping he’s as good as Flint says, I ask the sock-wearing doctor, “Okay, but there’s a problem. Why can’t I remember anything?”
The way he slowly cranes his head and glances at Flint gives me chills.
Flint gives my hand another tense squeeze—or maybe I squeeze his for dear life, I’m not sure—as the doctor slides his bag out of the way and sits down on the edge of the bed.
“What do you remember?” he asks.
I shrug. “I don’t know. Just…odd little things. Fragments. Like I really hate barfing, for one. We’re in Oahu. I think I enjoy the water when I’m not having mysterious accidents that try to tear my face open.”
Oh, and I totally adore sea glass. I keep that thought to myself. The last thing I need is Mr. Sea Glass himself finding out and giving me that slow burn smirky-smile.
It’s all just hard to explain. Maybe that’s something else I don’t recall. How to describe things well.
“Do you still know your name?” he asks. His eyes search mine.
Okay, think. Here’s your chance to stop making a total fool of yourself.
I close my eyes, focus, and remember that’s what woke me up.
Flint saying my name. It was distant and hazy, sure, but it left an impression.
“Valerie?” I say, unsure if I’m right.
He nods and looks at the way Flint and I are holding hands.
“What about your last name? Do you remember that?” Cash asks.