Cowboy Dreamin' (Thunder Creek Ranch Book 8) (11 page)

“Hello. What is the nature of your emergency?”

“My apartment has been broken into.”

“Are you safe? Is the perpetrator still there?”

“I don’t know. When I saw the muddy footprints leading to my bedroom, I locked myself in my office and called you.”

“I need your name, address, and phone number.”

Allison rattled off the info, surprised when her voice sounded calm while she shook so badly.

“One moment please while I relay your information.”

“Thank you.” Allison had barely whispered into the phone, afraid that whoever had broken in might still be there. Of course, if they’d wanted to do her harm, they could’ve accomplished that while she was checking messages as the interior door separating the clinic from her apartment had been unlocked.

“Thank you for holding. A team is nearby and enroute to your location. ETA five minutes. Please stay on the line until they arrive.”

“Thank you. I feel better just knowing that someone is on the line.”

“We deal with many types of emergencies, Miss Wakefield. I just want to know that you’re safe.”

“I just moved here. I haven’t made any enemies that I’m aware of.”

“It could just be a random vagrant. Please remain calm until the officers arrive.”

After a few more minutes on the line with the operator, flashing lights reflected through her office window. “They’re here now. I need to let them in.”

“Can you take the phone with you?”

“Yes.” She kept the phone to her ear as she went to the front entry to peek outside. Sure enough, it was a squad car. “I’m fine now. Thank you.”

“Have a good evening. Good-bye.”

The call disconnected as she opened the door to admit two officers, one of them Jack’s brother, Michael.

Chapter Eleven

“Allison? Dispatch said you had a break-in. Was anything taken?” Michael asked.

“I don’t know. Whoever it was came in the apartment entrance around back. Muddy footprints went straight to my bedroom. When I saw that, I didn’t go any further. I locked myself in my office and called you.”

“Smart girl,” he said as he gave her a pat on the back. “How do we get to your apartment?”

“Follow me,” she said as she turned to head down the hall.

“I’d prefer you to lock up and wait here. Just point us in the right direction.”

“Oh, all right, Michael. At the end of the hall, turn right, then left. You’ll see the door to my apartment.” She watched them leave and remembered to lock the front door. She crossed to the reception desk and sat down to wait. Her arms broke out in goose bumps, and she started to shake in earnest … probably delayed reaction now that the police were here.

Since her apartment wasn’t that big, it didn’t take the two officers long to search it. She didn’t hear any noise, so she figured whoever had been there was long gone. Sure enough, Michael came out soon after her thoughts had formed.

“Allison, have you made any enemies since you’ve been here?” he asked good-naturedly.

“Enemies? Me? I don’t think so. Why?”

“Come with me. There’s something you need to see.”

She walked down the hall beside Michael and entered her apartment.

“In here,” he said as he led the way into her bathroom.

“Oh. My. God,” she said when she saw the writing on the wall.

Bitch. Whore.
Those two words were repeated everywhere she looked. She walked closer and noticed her lipstick lying on the counter. “You might want to bag that. It looks as if they used my lipstick to send the message.”

“My forensics unit will be here shortly. They’ll collect any evidence.” He took her arm and led her from the room. “Are you ready for more?”

She heaved a heavy sigh. “I know the footprints led to my bedroom. I may as well get this over with.” Allison straightened her back and walked to her bedroom, preparing herself to see more garbage written on the walls. “My God, Michael. I’ve never hurt anyone. Who would hate me this much?”

Not only were the same two words written on her bedroom walls and mirror, they’d slashed through her bedding, cut up her lingerie, and left it strewn around the room.

“This appears mighty personal to me. Are you sure you haven’t made any enemies around here?” Michael asked. “A jealous girlfriend, perhaps? Or a disgruntled suitor?”

Allison pointed to the large boot prints on the floor. “No woman I know wears a size eleven work boot, and the only person I’ve been involved with in a long while, even before I moved here, is your brother. Obviously, someone is upset by my relationship with Jack, but I haven’t a clue who that would be.”

“Has anyone around here asked you out or shown a personal interest in you?”

Allison snorted a laugh. “Michael, I’m a lady vet. I fix your horse, your cow, or your dog and some guys consider taking me out to dinner is considered a thank you. I’ve refused more than enough dates, but I can’t see any one of those men becoming jealous or doing something like this.”

“Still, I need their names. This could tie in with the incidents involving Jack, and I’ll check into that angle as well. In the meantime, I’ll ask that you stay out of your apartment until my crime scene unit does their thing.”

“No problem, but tell me, what removes lipstick stains?” she said as she screwed her nose up while scanning the room again.

“At a guess, I’d say warm, soapy water and maybe a touch of bleach. Worst-case scenario, have it repainted.”

“Those I have. And this
is
new paint. But thanks. I might change the color scheme since this one isn’t working for me now.”

Michael chuckled and gave her a brotherly hug. “Hang in there. I’ll get this sorted out.”

“All right, but don’t tell Jack. He doesn’t need to worry about me while he’s recovering from a serious operation.”

“Yeah, Mom called and filled me in this morning.”

“She’s there with him now.” Then she checked her watch. “No, she’d be home by now. Time sure can fly.” Allison gave the room one last glance and left to go back to her office. Seated behind her desk, she booted up her computer and went through her customer files. She copied and pasted names, addresses, and phone numbers of the men who’d asked her out, but she knew it was time wasted. Oh well, she had nothing better to do. Finally finished, she printed out the list for Michael, took it to him, and went back to her office.

Her sofa bed would be in use tonight for Donald, her assistant. She opened it up and stripped the bedding. Maybe the mundane chore of doing laundry and remaking the bed would help pass the time until the police were finished in her apartment. In any event, she sure didn’t feel like cleaning up that mess tonight. Donald would be back after making house calls, so she’d just sleep on her living room sofa. At least she wouldn’t be alone in the building tonight.

****

Jack woke in severe agony, but the pain wasn’t coming from his head. He’d awakened from such erotic dreams of himself and Allison that he’d been certain she’d be lying next to him, only she wasn’t. He carefully shifted position in the bed in an effort to ease the ache, but that didn’t accomplish much. Thank God he was right-handed. His left arm might be broken, but the right one wasn’t. If he had to relieve the pressure by hand, so be it. As soon as the doctor released him, he’d go to her place for some tender loving care. Until then … he propped a pillow under his right arm for comfort and went to work, reliving the dream as he satisfied his needs. That deed done, he used his glass of water and some tissues from a box next to the bed to clean up the mess he’d made.

Afterward, he dozed fitfully, aware of the sounds and smells of the hospital as staff performed their duties. Daylight filtered through the curtains, and he knew breakfast would arrive soon. He hoped the nurse would help him bathe before Allison showed up. She said she’d be back today, but he didn’t know when. All he knew was that he wanted to be ready and looking his best for her.

Whatever that was. He wore so many bumps, bruises, and bandages that it would take a supreme effort to smile and look good. Oh well; he wouldn’t be laid up forever. He drifted off thinking of Allison only to be rudely awakened when the lights switched on and a nurse wrapped a cuff tightly around his upper arm to check his blood pressure.

“Good morning, Mr. Grayson. Glad to see that you’re awake.”

“I wasn’t, but I am now,” he mumbled groggily.

“The lab nurse will be in soon to take a blood sample, and breakfast is on its way. I’ll get you a pan of water to wash up with.”

“Am I allowed out of bed?”

“You’ll have to ask the doctor when he makes his rounds as I didn’t see anything written on your chart.” She scrutinized him with a look. “Do you feel well enough to be up and about?”

“Probably not, since I can’t even turn over without pain, but could you at least raise the bed so I can sit up?”

The nurse smiled and nodded. “That I can do.” She pushed a button near his elbow and the head of the bed slowly rose. “Is that better?”

“That’s fine.” He tried to maneuver a pillow under his cast. He struggled valiantly, but to no avail.

“Here, let me help.”

Not only did the nurse prop his arm up, she placed another pillow behind his back.

“Ahhh, that feels better.”

“Good. I’ll get your bath water ready. We might just have time before the breakfast trolley arrives.” She entered the bathroom, and he heard the water running. A few minutes later, she placed the basin of soapy water on his portable table and undid the top of the hospital gown. “This soap doesn’t need to be washed off,” she said as she dunked the facecloth and wrung it out. “You do your hands and face and whatever you can reach. If you have any problems, I’m here to help.”

Jack felt awkward as he washed himself under her eagle eye, but he got the job done. As soon as he tossed the facecloth in the water, she wrung it out and washed his back. Then she concentrated on his legs and feet.

“Roll over and I’ll tend to your behind,” she said with a distinct twinkle in her eyes.

Jack grabbed the bedrail to help him roll over on his right side and found he could move a little better. There was still plenty of pain from the bruising and cuts, but at least his head hadn’t started pounding again.

“You can roll back now.” He did, and she passed him the washcloth. “Privates next. You wash while I check on breakfast.”

Good. At least she’d provided him some privacy. He washed in record time and dried off, then pushed the table away so he could don the clean Johnny shirt. He couldn’t snap it properly, but at least he was covered. His energy depleted, he laid his head back and closed his eyes. Immediately, images of Allison filled his mind … Allison at work … Allison smiling … and Allison in the throes of passion. He opened his eyes and stared at the wall, trying to get his libido under control. Geez! He really had it bad if just the thought of her made him hard.

The nurse came back followed by a kitchen helper carrying a food tray. The nurse dispensed with the basin of water and made room for his meal.

“Thanks,” he said to the clerk, hoping the meal would at least satisfy one of his hungers.

“If you start to feel nauseous, ring for me. But if you can keep food down, I’ll be able to remove the IV today.”

He nodded and lifted the cover on his cup. Hot water. Then he saw the teabag behind it. “What? No coffee?” he asked before the nurse left the room.

She chuckled. “I’m a coffee drinker as well. I’ll bring you a fresh cup from our little kitchen.”

Jack aimed a grin her way. “Thank you kindly. Gotta have my morning coffee.”

He lifted the cover on his plate, surprised to see scrambled eggs, bacon, and home fries. A small plate off to the side held toast, and there were packets of strawberry jam and a small glass of each milk and orange juice. He had just finished his meal when the nurse came back with his coffee, holding packets of cream and sugar in her other hand. He squinted to read her nametag. “Thank you so much, Sherry. You’re an angel.”

“Go away with ya. It’s only coffee.”

He watched as a rosy hue entered her cheeks. “Nectar of the Gods.”

She giggled as she left the room, and Jack couldn’t help but smile. Sherry was a pretty little gal, but she couldn’t hold a candle to Allison.

As if he’d conjured her out of thin air, Allison walked in wearing a smile and a sexy wraparound yellow dress, and holding two cups of Tim’s coffee, all of which brought sunshine into his room.

“Hey, beautiful. You’re here early.”

“Want me to leave and come back later?” she asked as she approached the bed, holding the cups just out of his reach.

“Hell no. Give me that java.”

“Hmmm, don’t I even get a kiss first?” she asked, pouting prettily.

“Lady, I don’t know which I want more.” She set the cups on the table and leaned over him for a lip-smackin’, cock-raisin’ kiss. “Mmm, I’ve missed you.”

“How’s the head today?” she asked as she pulled a chair next to the bed and grabbed her coffee.

“Better. I can move it without the sharp pains shooting into my skull.”

“That’s a bonus. How’s the rest of you?” she asked with a smirk.

“Raring to go. You game?” he asked.

“Here?” Allison giggled and glanced out the door, noting several people rushing about. “I don’t think so. Besides, too much activity probably isn’t good for your head right now.”

“Party pooper. Just wait until I get out of here. We’ll make up for lost time.”

Suddenly, her smile faded. She leaned forward and reached for his hand, holding it tight.

“Jack, do you realize how serious that operation was? You could’ve died if the doctor hadn’t acted fast enough.”

“Nah. I just had a little fluid on the brain. It was the headache that went with it that hurt.”

“Jack, you could have died. Or at the very least been paralyzed as the pressure built. You’ll need to take it easy for a few weeks and give yourself a chance to heal.”

“She’s absolutely right,” said Dr. Levy as he strode into the room. “No physical activities of any kind until you come back for your six-week check-up. No driving, no riding, and no sex.”

“Six weeks! Doc, you may as well give me a life sentence,” Jack complained.

“Jack, if you want to end up six feet under or in a wheelchair, go ahead and do what you want,” the doctor said.

“You’re serious?” Jack asked as he looked from the doctor to Allison and back to the doctor.

“Very. If you hadn’t already been in the hospital, chances are you wouldn’t be here now. You have the next six weeks to walk in the sunshine, but nothing more than that.”

Jack heaved a heavy sigh. “All right. So when can I get out of here?”

“We’ll do another CT scan in a couple of days and, if the fluid level is down, you can go home. In the meantime, we will monitor you for any signs of the surgery not holding. Don’t even try to get out of bed. If the drain doesn’t hold, we may have to insert a shunt, something you’ll be stuck with permanently.”