Cry Wolf (16 page)

Too late.

Her head hit the railing so hard her teeth stung. Everything suddenly went black as she tumbled backward down the staircase.

“I think she’s dead.” A child’s voice echoed in Andrea’s head.

“Nah. If she were dead, she’d be stiffer than this. ’Sides, she’s still breathing. See?” A man’s voice filtered through the haze clouding her mind.

As she struggled back toward consciousness, Andrea felt something press against her chest. She lifted her eyelids to see Doc Parkins sitting on the bed beside her, listening for her heartbeat with a stethoscope.

“See, told you she wasn’t dead,” he said with a smile, and she realized there were at least three other people in the room—where was she anyway?—and they were all watching her anxiously. She recognized the two curious children hovering nearby. They were Sean’s niece and nephew—she remembered the picture at his house. Sean himself stood, arms crossed, eyebrows furrowed, and looking worried, behind them all.

Andrea moved to rise and felt a heavy, painful sensation at the back of her head. “Ohh!” She groaned, reaching to touch the area. “What happened? Where am I?”

Doc Parkins gently pressed her backward. “Now, now, my lovely. You had a fall and hit your head. Do you remember?”

Unfortunately, she was beginning to. With a wary, embarrassed glance at Sean, she admitted, “I think so. We were at—”

“My house,” Sean quickly inserted. “And when you stepped on that old deck, you slipped. Remember?”

What was he was rambling on about? Maybe she’d hit her head harder than she thought. She was fairly certain they’d been at the old Martin house when she’d—

Oh right. They’d been
trespassing
at the old Martin house when she’d fallen.

“I remember.”

Grimacing from the pounding in her head, she leaned back and allowed the doctor to shine a bright light in both of her eyes as he explained that Sean had brought her to his sister’s house—Megan was a nursing assistant, after all—because Andrea had protested the idea of being taken to a hospital. “I did?” She didn’t remember protesting anything.

Sean nodded. “You mumbled something about an accident and not wanting to go to a hospital again. You also mumbled the name Lisa once and then you passed out completely.”

She had? If it was possible for such a thing, she felt the blood leave her face. Doc Parkins looked serious for the first time since she’d met him. “All right, boys and girls, I need some privacy to examine my patient. Scoot. Go help your mother with dinner.” He sent Sean a pointed look. “Please close the door behind you.”

Sean didn’t look happy about the dismissal, but he did as he was told.

When they were alone, Doc Parkins lifted her chin and focused on her eyes. “Meg called me because she thought you should be looked at by someone who knew what they were doing. I suppose I must have her convinced I’m smarter than I look—but I do sign her paycheck, so what do you expect?” She smiled at his humor. He got serious and began to ask her questions. Was she having double vision? Could she remember the year? “Whoever did your surgery did a good job,” he said after a pause. “Your scars are barely noticeable. Was it a car accident?”

After a second’s hesitation, she nodded.

He sighed and leaned back to look at her. “You have a minor concussion. You’ll need to be supervised for the next twenty-four hours. I’ll talk to Meg and make sure you can stay here. Otherwise, the wife and I have an extra room at our place.”

“I’m sure I’ll be fine at the motel. Honestly, I’d rather not be a burden to anyone.”

“Nonsense.” He gathered his bag. “I want you to take it easy for the next few weeks. If you start having any of the symptoms I described, see a doctor immediately. I’ll leave the instructions for tonight with Meg. You have any questions or concerns, she has my number.”

“But—”

“No buts. Besides, I do believe you have one frantically worried and, according to all the girls who work in my office, handsome-as-sin suitor waiting outside this door for you. I dare say he will relish any opportunity he gets to spend the night with you.” He winked at Andrea. “But no funny business,” he added, seriously. “You need your rest.”

She sat up and moved to get off the bed, grimacing at the dull ache in her head. “But—”

Too late. When he opened the bedroom door, Sean appeared. “But what?” He glanced between the two.

Doc Parkins frowned at Andrea and wagged a finger in her direction. “Rest.” She rolled her eyes but remained seated on the bed. The doctor turned to Sean. “Walk me to my car.”

“Is she okay?” Sean looked torn between going and staying.

“Yes, yes, of course.” The doctor turned to Meg, who had also appeared in the doorway. “You won’t mind if Miss Lockhart stays the night, will you?”

Meg blinked in surprise. “Of course not. We’ll be glad to look after her.”

Doc Parkins nodded at Andrea. “See there. You didn’t even have to ask.”

As he and Sean disappeared from sight, Andrea sighed. These things always seemed to happen to her.

Nothing had gone as planned since she’d arrived in this town. It was supposed to be a simple story. In and out.

Instead, she’d been strung up in the woods, run into her college nemesis, attacked by a fake werewolf, seen a real one, quit her job and gotten a concussion.
Smooooth, Lockhart.

“So.” Sean’s sister smiled as she walked into the room with a glass of water in hand. With a delighted gleam in her eye, she handed Andrea the drink. “You were at my brother’s house this afternoon?”

Andrea silently groaned.

Sweet heaven, what have I done to deserve this?

It was close to ten when Megan demanded that Sean either stop playing video games with her son and leave or gather some sheets so he could sleep on her sofa.

“This family should have been in bed an hour ago.” She took the game controller from Jason and corralled him upstairs to his room. She returned not long after. “You have some explaining to do.”

He managed to cut down two more warriors before Megan disconnected his game. “About what?”

She directed a meaningful glance toward the downstairs bedroom where Andrea was resting. “You told me she was just an old friend you were helping.”

He sensed danger so he simply agreed. “She is.”

“Then why did you look like you were scared to death when you brought her here? Why were you hanging around her like a nursemaid until Doc arrived?”

“Because I’m that kind of guy?”

She snorted. “Then why couldn’t you take your eyes off her at dinner?” She sent him a take-that look.

“Well…”

Meg walked over to the hallway closet. “Never mind. I already know. For what it’s worth, I like her. She’s smart, she’s friendly and was great with the kids at dinner.” She gathered up a pile of blankets and pillows and stacked them up on the sofa for him. “I’m going to bed now. I imagine you’ll be checking in on Andrea at intervals throughout the night?”

He sighed, admitting defeat. “Of course.” It only made sense. The guest bedroom was downstairs near the sofa anyway. No need for Meg to be up and down all night.

“Good. Sweet dreams, little brother.” She gave him a pat on the head and retreated to her bedroom.

Sean glanced at his watch and rubbed his tired eyes. So much for returning to the office tonight. He prepared a bed for himself on the lumpy old couch.

Andrea was asleep when he checked on her a few minutes later. He was surprised, given how adamant she’d been to leave earlier. She’d still been protesting after dinner, even though Sean sensed she’d enjoyed the meal with his family. She and Meg found a lot in common, and Andi knew enough about kid-speak to keep up with the dynamic duo.

Meg had sat with her for a while as he and the kids cleaned up, and something his sister had said must have convinced her to stay without a fuss. Doc hadn’t told him anything about her condition, just advised Sean that she needed rest and “no funny business.” Andi had shared the details later, but he wished Doc had said more to put his mind at ease. Sean watched her carefully at dinner for any sign of serious trauma. She seemed okay. God, he hoped she was okay.

She’d disappeared to rest not long after dinner, and he now knew why he hadn’t heard a peep out of her since. Martin’s journal lay open beneath her arms. She must have fallen asleep reading it. He also noticed she’d borrowed a set of Megan’s pajamas—a flannel set he’d given his sister for Christmas a few years back. Seeing Andi in them made him smile. Since she was asleep, he made himself comfortable in a chair near the bed and watched her.

Megan had been right earlier about his reaction to Andi’s injury.

When he’d seen Andi hurt, it made him sick with worry, and that wasn’t like him. He wanted to protect her, to gather her in his arm and keep her safe. Why? Hell if he knew. She was a woman who could take care of herself just fine. She’d made that abundantly clear to him on more than one occasion.

But she was also vulnerable, like everyone else, though she tried her best to hide it.

“Are you going to sit there all night?”

He sat up straight and realized she was watching him. He sighed and feigned disinterest. “Just making sure you weren’t going to croak in your sleep.”

“Gee, thanks.” She sat up in the bed and closed the journal.

He nodded to it. “Find anything interesting, partner?”

“Partner,” she repeated with a look of resignation. She glanced at the journal on her lap and raked back her hair with one hand. “There are a few more entries about seeing a ‘monster’ on his farm. Pretty amazing stuff. I’ll have to make copies of this for you and Reed tomorrow.”

She sat the journal aside and glanced around the room, looking suddenly very weary.

“I should let you rest.” Sean started to rise.

Andi shook her head and grabbed his hand. “No, it’s fine. Would you mind keeping me company a little bit longer? I don’t think I can sleep right now.”

He sat back down. He was glad for the excuse to stay longer. “Do you need anything? A drink? Something for your head?”

“No, thanks.” She smiled weakly.

Sean leaned forward and considered his next question carefully. He didn’t want to pry or seem insensitive, but he felt it was important to let her know he was there to listen if she needed. She’d mentioned at dinner that she hadn’t sat down with her family for a meal in months. How lonely he’d feel if that were the case with his family. Andrea seemed to travel a lot. That seemed lonely too. Did she have anyone to confide in? Anyone at all?

He realized he’d like to know everything about her. What did she do when she wasn’t working? Who was her best friend? Most of all, why did he sometimes see that flicker of pain in her eyes? He’d seen it when he’d asked her why she’d given up her career and again this afternoon, after Doc reminded her that she’d begged not to be taken to a hospital. She masked it well, but every now and then, she couldn’t hide it. Something awful had happened to her, but what?

“Want to talk about what happened?”

“What’s to talk about? I feel like a total klutz.”

He waited a beat. “That’s not what I meant. Do you want to talk about whatever it is that makes you scared to death of hospitals?”

Her face paled. She turned her head away and stared off into space. “It was a long time ago. I don’t like to talk about it.”

“All right.” He glanced around the room, searching for another topic to discuss. He could only think of one. “You know, you sure do get along great with my niece and nephew. Do you like kids?”

Andi looked relieved and a little surprised by the change in topic. “Only when I don’t have to take them home.” Her lips tugged upward in a wry, little smile. She settled in beneath the covers. Her eyes drooped.

“I thought you weren’t tired.”

Her breath escaped in a soft sigh. “I’m feeling a little drowsy again. Would you mind staying until I fall asleep?”

“Sure.” He made himself comfortable in the chair. It didn’t take her long to doze off, and apparently, it didn’t take him long either. When he opened his eyes and glanced at the clock beside the bed what seemed like only a few minutes later, he saw that three hours had passed.

He stretched his limbs and turned off the lamp. Andi was still asleep. He tried not to wake her as he sat on the bed to check her forehead. She was warm but no fever. Carefully, he brushed the hair from her face and smiled at how peaceful she looked in the glow of moonlight from the window.

Ten years ago, who would have thought?

He hated to wake her, but Meg had said she needed to be woken every few hours. He gave her a gentle shake and she stirred, opening her eyes. Surprisingly, she didn’t jerk away, but just mumbled sleepily, “What are you doing?”

“I told you—making sure you haven’t croaked on me.”

She smiled slightly. “No such luck.”

“I’ll let you get back to sleep.” He began to move away. She grabbed his arm.

“There’s enough room in this bed for both of us. You looked awfully uncomfortable in that chair.”

Sean felt his heart skip a beat before he realized she wasn’t propositioning him. She made room for him and then patted the space she intended him to occupy beside her. “I stay under the covers, you stay on top.”

He took a deep breath. “Deal.”

She snuggled under the blankets as Sean slid his shoes off. He had to admit, several minutes later, that the queen bed was much more comfortable than the chair and probably the sofa too. But he probably would have gotten more sleep in either one. He was only too painfully aware of the woman beside him.

“Sean?”

“Yeah?”

She hesitated. “It happened over four years ago. The accident.”

His heart nearly thudded to a stop. “What kind of accident?”

“Car accident.” Andi turned onto her side, away from him. The sound of his heartbeat thrummed through his ears as he waited for her to continue. After a long pause, she did. “I was working at the
Sun-Times
on a story about corruption in the police department. One of their officers approached me with a statement that he’d been on the take for years. He claimed the Borreli family had half the department in its pocket. But…”

He’d heard of a similar situation from a colleague in New York, so it wasn’t hard for him to guess what happened next. “Someone found out you were working the story and tried to buy you too.” Sean saw Andi’s head nod. He clenched his jaw to hold back a swell of anger. “What happened?”