Embracing Today, a firefighter romance: (The Trading Yesterday Series, #3), Kahlen Aymes [essential reading txt] 📗

shifted on my chest and smacked her lips a couple of times the way dogs do when they are content and snuggling in for a long night’s sleep. I was loving every minute of my time with little Gem and I had to admit, having her with me tonight was nice. I was also looking forward to checking on her owner in the morning… as soon as it would be acceptable to do so. She’d just lost someone dear to her, but something deep inside me longed to know her better… The caveman inside me roared. I felt protective of the frail, broken young woman. I wasn’t sure if it was because I’d failed to rescue her partner, or if it was another deeper connection that would have stirred regardless of how we might have met. It struck me that, somehow, she would be a big part of my future.

MARIN

I was looking forward to getting out of the hospital. The house would be empty; a screaming reminder of what had happened, but then, so was being in the hospital. The horrific image and sounds of Carter burning would haunt me forever. It was awful.

My injuries from the night before were relatively minor, though I’d been given IV fluids and some type of medication to sleep. They discovered two cracked ribs from one of my scuffles with Carter. I tried to hide it, but I’d winced during the initial examination, so they’d ordered x-rays. Hiding any injury had become such a habit over the past months, it hadn’t occurred to me that without Carter around to threaten more abuse, it wasn’t necessary to lie about it.

The physician, who self-proclaimed himself the hospitalist, visited around 6 AM. I’d been anxious to leave ever since, as the gravity of the situation hit me. I was totally alone in the world but at least I had the ranch, the horses, and my little baby dog. Carter was a bastard, but at least he was someone to go home to. I was so devastated after Uncle Leonard died, I was ignorant to Carter’s motives.

I sucked in a deep breath, shaking my head in an effort to rid my mind of such thoughts. As the television droned in the background, I wondered what needed to be done about Carter’s funeral and how to find his family. I didn’t have time to feel sorry for myself. Thankfully, Uncle Leonard’s life insurance had a nice payout though I hadn’t touched a cent of it. I would be able take my time and find a job I really wanted, and I’d have the money to cover the funeral.

Maybe I’d go to back to school for my MBA. I hadn’t done so before because it was just assumed that I’d keep working at the shop as the business manager. Uncle Leonard taught me the billing duties when I was sixteen, so I had some practical experience that I could build on. My uncle loved having me involved and I wanted to make him happy.

The pert young nurse who had worked the overnight shift popped her head into my room. She was dressed in the hospital RN uniform of monotone dark blue pants, top and long-sleeved jacket. The employees wore color-coded uniforms to easily distinguish their role in the hospital.

“You’ve been cleared to get out of here, Marin. The discharge papers have been signed so you’re good to go! Do you need help getting dressed?” She smiled her encouragement.

“Um…” I hesitated. “I don’t really have anything to wear home. I just have the clothes I came in here with and some of them were cut off in the emergency room. Is there a gift shop?”

She looked at me sympathetically. “Sure,” she said. “If you want to dress like you’re sixty and spend a boat load of money to do it. Those ER doctors just get down to business after an accident without thinking about stuff like that. Thankfully, you weren’t hurt too badly.”

I glanced at the white board on the wall to recall her name; Gina. “It’s understandable how they do it,” I answered, though I was worried. I couldn’t go home in a hospital gown.

“Do you have anyone I can call to get you some clothes or to pick you up?” Obviously, she’d noticed I didn’t have any visitors during my brief stay.

“I don’t have anyone. I spend most of my time with my animals, and our place is out in the country. Growing up, I pretty much kept to myself.” I’d had one or two high school friends, but they’d left Jackson Hole after graduation and never returned except an occasional holiday. I knew some of our neighbors, but they were more friends of Uncle Leonard than of mine. I ran a hand through my still dirty hair, realizing how gross it felt. “It sounds pretty pathetic, doesn’t it?” Tears blurred my vision and began to sting my eyes.

“Not at all. I love animals, too. I have a dog, and three cats.”

“I have a few horses and a new puppy.” Thinking about Gem crying from her kennel when I was calling 911 and how I had to leave her there, hurt my heart and made me anxious. I hoped the fireman who had volunteered to take care of her was good to her. He seemed like he had a big heart and a certainly had a kind face. I could tell he was handsome, despite the soot that was smudged all over it.

“I was very sorry to hear about your boyfriend,” Gina said softly, coming into the room now.

“Thank you,” I wiped at my eyes. I wanted to tell her that I was actually relieved, but guilt stopped me short.

“I get off in about an hour and I could run home and get you something to wear. You can borrow something of mine… we look about the same size. And then I could take you home, if you like.”

“Really? That would be amazing and very kind, thank you.” I