LITMIR.BIZ

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plodding steps in tandem with her pounding head, she trudged along the gravel shoulder. She’d quit humming hours before. Her pinched, empty stomach grumbled in the silence. The pale morning sun peeked over the horizon, weaving golden strands through pink-and-lavender clouds. Another round of shivers rattled through her and she hunched over, too forlorn to appreciate the beauty. The unexpected rumble of an engine behind her sent her spirits soaring. She whirled and waved, but the car sped past. Sharp disappointment speared through her. Her despair deepened when she saw the taillights of a green sedan. Why had she expected a gray Jag?

      The miles dragged by in an icy-cold blur before she finally spotted a weigh station with an Oregon State Patrol car parked in the turnaround. Her knees weak with relief, she staggered toward the welcome sight.

      A tall, square-jawed trooper jumped out and helped her to the car. “Sit down, ma’am.” He opened the back door. Shaking, she sank onto the seat. He squatted down. “What happened?”

      “I’m Tessa Beaumont. I was…kidnapped yesterday during a bank robbery in Riverside.”

      The officer studied her forehead. “Did the perpetrator assault you?”

      Tessa drew a ragged breath. “No. Please take me home.”

      “You were in the woods all night?”

      At her nod, he rose and walked away. The car bounced as the trunk popped open. In seconds, he returned with a foil blanket. “There’s a small hospital in Forreston, ten minutes away.”

      “No hospital. If you can’t take me home, please call a cab.”

      The cop patted her hand. “After the doctor checks you out.” He climbed into the front seat. The engine rumbled and flashing blue lights reflected off the car’s hood. She huddled into the blanket, her teeth chattering.

      Before long, he hustled her into the hospital. Ignoring her objections, a burly nurse stripped off Tessa’s damp suit and underwear and strong-armed her into a hospital gown. Draped in a white blanket, she perched on the exam table, her uncontrollable trembling making the paper covering crackle.

      The door swung open, giving her a whiff of the sharp, medicinal smell from the hall. A tall doctor with salt-and-pepper hair strode into the room. He wheeled a stool to the exam table and sat down. “I’m Dr. Maxwell.” His kind hazel gaze studied her. “I understand you’ve been through quite an ordeal. Would you like to tell me about it?”

      “I’m cold, that’s all. I’m going home.” She tried to climb off the table, but her wobbly limbs refused to obey.

      “Not the best idea, Miss Beaumont. You’ve sustained a head injury. You’re weak and shaky because you’re suffering from hypothermia.” The doctor probed at the knot on her head, flashed a bright light in her eyes and asked questions about double vision and nausea. “The laceration on your forehead isn’t serious, but you do have a concussion. We’ll take a CAT scan and keep you overnight for observation.” He glanced at his clipboard. “The nurse said your clothes were disheveled and torn. Did your abductor sexually assault you?”

      Tessa jerked upright, a gasp bursting out of her. “No!”

      Doctor Maxwell’s bushy brows pinched in a concerned frown. “Don’t be afraid to tell me the truth, Miss Beaumont. There’s nothing to be ashamed of, and your life could be at stake. There are diseases—”

      Dizziness washed over her and the room whirled. “He didn’t even hint at anything like that! My suit got ruined when I ran through the woods.”

      “You’re in shock.” He patted her hand. “Completely understandable considering the circumstances. Will you consent to a thorough exam and lab tests?”

      “You’re not hearing what I’m saying. There’s no need.” She ordered her weak, trembling body to climb down, but couldn’t summon the strength. “He listened to me better than this.”

      “You’ve suffered a blow to the head combined with a traumatic event. But don’t you worry about a thing; we’ll take good care of you. I’ll send the nurse in with an IV.” The doctor again patted her hand. “After the scan, we’ll settle you into a room. You’ll feel much better after you’ve had a chance to rest. Would you like me to notify your family?”

      Tessa gave him Mel’s number. The nurse returned with an IV bag and a needle so huge she could have knitted an afghan. Tessa gritted her teeth and focused on the only thing that helped. The image sustained her through the endless, claustrophobic CAT scan and was the last thing she saw before she fell asleep.

      Gabe’s rain-forest green eyes.

      Tessa woke to Mel’s angry hiss. “What do you mean you can’t find her clothes? What is she supposed to wear home, one of those idiotic gowns? She’ll get arrested for indecent exposure!”

      “Mel?” she mumbled.

      Mel’s worried blue gaze met her own. “Are you okay?”

      Dazed, Tessa struggled to sit up, blinking at the painful stab of sunlight. “Nothing eight or nine aspirin won’t cure.” She pressed her palm to her forehead, where the Philadelphia Philharmonic Orchestra was conducting cymbal practice. “What time is it?”

      “Barely past dawn. You’ve been out for almost twenty-four hours.” Mel grabbed her hand and squeezed Tessa’s fingers. “I’ve been so worried.”

      “I feel like I’m trapped in Oz. I keep demanding to go home, but can’t get there. Did you say they lost my clothes?”

      “Yep, I was just butting heads with Nurse Ratched. Apparently, they were ruined, and someone threw them away by mistake.”

      Tessa huffed out an exasperated sigh. “Another violation on top of everything else.”

      “Oh, Tess!” Tears brimmed in Mel’s eyes. “He didn’t—”

      “No! He was actually kind of…sweet.”

      Mel shook her head, making her short blond curls bounce. “A sweet bank-robbing kidnapper? Obviously, you’re still under the influence of your lovely purple and green lump there. Did they take X rays?”

      In spite of her pain, Tessa couldn’t stop a chuckle. “A CAT scan. Other than a headache, I’m fine. And I want out of here.”

      “Okay. I’ll rustle up some clothes and be right back.”

      “How? Nothing will be open at this hour.”

      “I’ll find something. Oh, Dale and the Dragon Lady are outside. Nurse Ratched wouldn’t let them in your room. Apparently, a fiancé doesn’t count as family.”

      “How did you get in?”

      Melody grinned and buffed her nails on her red turtleneck. “I told her I was your sister.”

      “You’re impossible!” Tessa smiled. “But I’m glad you were here when I woke up.”

      “A tiny white lie for the benefit of everyone isn’t that terrible. What Nurse Ratched doesn’t know won’t hurt her. I’m outta here. Do you want me to send in the clowns?”

      Tessa groaned. “Melody Parrish!”

      “Mea culpa. Do you want your blue-eyed bland and his fire-breathing mamma invited in?”

      “Yes, send in my fiancé and future mother-in-law, please.”

      Mel hurried out. Seconds later, Lucille glided in, followed by Dale. Immaculate in a beige Chanel suit, the petite woman shook her head. “Tessa! We’ve been worried sick, and the nurse wouldn’t let us in!” Lucille peered at Tessa’s forehead. “Oh, dear! I hope that fades before the wedding, or the photographs will need to be retouched.”

      Concern darkening his sky-blue eyes, her tall, broad-shouldered fiancé stepped forward, dwarfing his tiny mother. “Are you all right?”

      “Only a bump, nothing major.”

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