Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23316 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23316 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
I blink a few times, and then Kurt’s features materialize before my eyes.
“Hi Mr. Crenshaw,” I greet in a wobbly voice. “Glad to see you’re okay.”
He immediately embraces me with those strong arms, his breath hot on my hair.
“I’m so glad you’re okay, honey. You had me worried for a sec there. Your eyes were rolled up in the back of your head, and you seemed to be in some sort of fugue state.”
But I’m slowly returning to this Earthly realm now, and I shake my head.
“No, I’m fine,” I manage. “A little shaken, but totally fine. What happened?”
He takes a deep breath.
“It’s a long story, and I don’t know all of it, but for some reason, we were targeted by a shooter. He was out in the woods, taking potshots at us. At you, it seems,” his blue eyes sharp and angry. “For what reason? I have no idea, but the cops are here now, and they’ve got him in custody.”
With that, I break down and begin to sob.
“A shooter? Why?”
“I know, I know,” Kurt whispers as I begin to really bawl. “This has been hell on Earth, and for God knows what reason too. But we have to go outside now to speak with the authorities. In fact, I’m not sure why they haven’t come barreling inside to search for victims.”
I sob at bit more but then straighten, trying to get my tears under control. The shock still has me numb, but my man’s right. There’s no sense in staying in the cabin anymore.
“Okay,” I manage. “Let’s go.”
Kurt helps me up and then slips a strong arm about my waist as we walk outside. The last evening rays are casting red and gold shadows on the ground, but they’re disrupted by flashing red and blue lights from police cruisers. To my surprise, there are about a dozen patrol cars out in the driveway, and an ambulance too. As I watch, an officer on a motorcycle comes zipping up the mountain, obviously ready to do battle as well.
Suddenly, a wail breaks the air.
“Owwwww!” comes the tone. “Ooooh god, oh god, oh god, that hurts! OWWWW!”
Two men bearing a stretcher step out from the woods, and I stare in shock at the figure writhing on the canvas.
“Vinnie?” I ask. “What are you doing here?”
But he doesn’t see me, and instead groans and whines, fussing like a child as he’s loaded into the ambulance. Even crazier, one wrist is cuffed to the stretcher, as if they’re afraid he’s dangerous.
“What?” I gasp, turning to look at Kurt with wide eyes. “That’s my ex-boyfriend, Vinnie. The one that I came to the cabin with. But what is he doing here? Why was he in the woods, and why did they shoot him?”
Kurt’s expression turns into a frown, and he literally growls with the anger.
“You didn’t see what happened, did you, Janelle?” he asks in a slow voice. “Well, I think there are going to be some unpleasant surprises. I don’t know for sure, but I have a theory of what just happened and my guess is that you won’t like it.”
With that statement, I stare at the man in front of me. OMG, is he serious? Was my ex the madman trying to murder us just now? The world rushes towards me, and suddenly my vision goes black.
12
Janelle
After my fainting spell, I was rushed to the hospital as well, and now I look around anxiously. I’m in a sterile white room as a nurse bustles about, doing this and that.
“I’m okay,” I say in a firm voice. “I can go.”
“Sure you can, hon,” the nurse sings. “But just stay there for a sec, okay? We just want to get some vitals.”
I sigh, tapping my fingers impatiently against my blanket. Where is everyone? Why am I alone? But then my mind whirls, and my shoulders sag. The events of the past few hours have been so crazy that I lie back against the pillow like a boneless rag doll. It’s then that Kurt enters. He looks grim yet handsome, fine lines etched around his mouth, the skin around his eyes tight.
“Janelle,” he begins, taking my hand. “How are you?”
I squeeze his big palm and smile tremulously.
“I’m okay. I know I fainted, but I’m okay, I swear.”
He smiles mirthlessly.
“Good.”
“Can we leave?” I ask, throwing the sheet off and swinging my legs to the floor. “I’m ready to go. I don’t need to be in the hospital, I’m fine.” But then my head spins and Kurt catches me as I start to sway.
“You’re not going anywhere, sweet girl,” he rasps. “You’re still suffering from shock and if I had to guess, your blood sugar is low from not eating since lunch. Come on, up you go. I’ll ask the nurse to get you a snack.”
With that, his big body disappears into the hallway for a moment, but then he’s back and sitting by my hospital bed once more.