“I’m right here, sweetheart. It was just a bad dream.” He could see tears start to shimmer in her eyes and it broke his heart.
“I was so scared.” She mumbled as the tears escaped her eyes to flow down her cheeks.
“You’re safe. I will keep you safe.” He promised wiping away as many tears as he could.
“Miss Walker, is everything okay?” A nurse asked as she looked at the monitor.
“Nightmare.” Cameron told the nurse without breaking eye contact with Kara.
“I see. Do you need something for the pain?” The nurse asked.
“Can I just have Tylenol please?” Kara asked softly.
“I can get you something stronger.” The nurse told her.
“Not right now, thank you.” Kara answered.
“Alright. I’ll be right back with that.” The nurse said and closed the door behind her.
“Wanna tell me about the dream?” Cameron asked her softly. She shook her head no, and he raised an eyebrow at her.
“Who were you trading yourself for?” Her eyes widened, and she looked away. “Kara, who?” He said in his sheriff tone, making her look at him again.
“You.” She whispered as another tear escaped.
“Never do that Kara, even in your dreams, don’t trade yourself for me, promise me.” He said gently leaning his forehead against the unbruised side of hers, while still keeping eye contact.
“Promise.” She whispered softly.
Gently Cameron rubbed his nose across hers in a soft butterfly kiss. Her heart monitor beeped faster and he smiled. Cameron pulled back slowly as the nurse walked back in and gave Kara her medicine. Kara took the medicine and winced as the cup of water touched her split lip. The nurse was mumbling as she walked out, but they both heard her say my heart would beat faster too, if he was kissing me. Cameron laughed to cover up how uncomfortable he was with the comment.
“I changed my mind.” Kara’s voice was loud and clear, so this was probably not good.
“About what?” He asked her cautiously.
“Getting married. I can’t do that to you.” The stubborn set of her jaw told him she was serious.
“What do you mean you can’t do that to me?” He had a feeling he wasn’t going to like what she said next.
“I saw the way she looked at you. You are a very attractive man, I can’t let you tie yourself to me until this blows over, and I can’t handle the whole town laughing at me because they see you with someone else.” He could tell she believed what she said.
“Do you honestly think so little of me that you think I would cheat on you?” He was trying to hold back the anger he felt, but she flinched so he knew she could tell he was mad.
“You are only doing this to protect me, so it’s not cheating. I just don’t want the looks of pity from everyone.” He didn’t know if he wanted to shake her or kiss her.
“I told you yesterday this will be a real marriage.” He growled at her.
“Don’t you growl at me, mister. You’re the one already flirting with the nurse.” She snapped at him, and he smiled at her.
“I wasn’t flirting with her, sweetheart. I only want one heart to beat faster around me.” He said picking up her hand again, as the monitor gave an extra beep, and he smiled.
“Where’s Susie?” She asked quickly.
“In the waiting room, waiting on the Chaplain.” It was a good thing he wasn’t hooked to a monitor or his would be beeping fast too.
“I said no.” She said turning her head away from him.
“Don’t fight me, Kara.” Cameron said turning her back to look at him.
“Cameron, it’s not safe. I can’t let him hurt you because of me.” His heart skipped a beat when she said his name, but the pain in her eyes just about tore his heart out.
“Kara, I’m going to marry you. Then we can figure out the rest. I will keep us safe, I promise.” Cameron wasn’t backing down, she would be his wife within the hour.
“Fine, but if this isn’t working for you at any point, will you promise to tell me?” She asked softly.
“Yes, of course, sweetheart.” He said leaning his forehead on hers again.
“Cameron?” She whispered.
“Yeah.” He wished her lip wasn’t split, he would love to kiss her.
“If you get hurt, I will kill you myself.” Her eyes were locked on his and he loved the fire in them.
“Yes, dear.” He said rubbing his nose on hers again.
“I see you already know the magic words of marriage.” A man’s voice said behind him.
“Yes, sir.” Cameron said as he walked over to shake hands with the Chaplain.
The nurse from earlier walked in, and he looked a Kara. She just shrugged, he walked over to the bed and took her hand. The Chaplain moved over to the bed and did the ceremony quickly. Susie had gone out and gotten them plain gold bands. He would get her a diamond, but he hadn’t had time yet. When it came time to kiss his bride, he leaned over and kissed the corner of her mouth farthest from the split.
It was thirty minutes after all the papers had been signed when the doctor came in. After checking her over, and giving her a prescription for pain medicine, he said she could go home. Thankfully, Susie had thought to buy her a change of clothes to wear home too. The ones she had on when they got her to the hospital were covered in blood.
“What all do you need from your apartment?” Susie asked her while they waited on the discharge papers.
“Um, I guess just my clothes, and toiletries. When my ribs heal, I can get everything else and put it in storage until all of this is over.” Kara looked sad.
“I will call and see if any of the girls can help you pack her things, and some of the guys can probably get everything else and bring it over.” Cameron said pulling out his phone.
“You can’t call them.” Kara said reaching for his hand.
“Why not?” They were all friends and he knew they would help.
“Two reasons. One they don’t know we’re married.” Kara said quickly.
“They will after I call.” He said as he kissed her knuckles.
“Stop. Reason number two, look at me.” She looked tired.
“I know you need to rest, that’s why I’m gonna have them do it.” Cameron smiled, but she scowled at him.
“How do we explain my injuries without telling them everything?” He had forgotten that. He looked at her close, eyeing her injuries.
“Car wreck. It would explain the ribs and an air bag can do that to your face and lip.” Cameron said, it was logical and probable.
“But my car is fine.” Kara had a point.
“You were driving a rental, because I wanted yours checked out before you drove it far. You were going to the mall when someone cut you off, and you hit the guard rail to avoid hitting them.” Cameron had obviously seen way too many accidents.
“Wow.” Kara was staring at him.
“Can you remember all the details if you’re asked?” Susie asked her from her other side.
“Yeah.” Kara nodded.
“Alright, Mrs. Denton, are you ready to go home?” The nurse asked as she brought in the discharge papers.
His heart paused, then beat fast at hearing someone call her that. He really had gotten married. Looking down, he saw Kara was having a similar reaction. She looked up at him, then swallowed hard and nodded. After they unhooked the IV and monitor, Kara grabbed the clothes Susie brought her, and went to the bathroom to get ready. Cameron walked out to get the truck while she got dressed.
“Hey, Luke, I need a favor.” Cameron said when Luke answered the phone.
“Name it.” Luke said. Cameron had great friends.
“I need you to gather everyone up and get Kara moved into my place.” Cameron told him.
“Kara’s moving in with you?” Luke asked him quietly.
“It’s only logical. My place is bigger than hers, and since we’re married I think it’s tradition we live together.” Cameron s
aid as he waited for Luke to catch on.
“Holy shit, really? When?” Luke was asking questions and he could hear Lindy in the back ground asking what was going on.
“Today. She was in a car accident, so she can’t move herself. I thought the girls could help Susie pack her up, and you guys could move the big stuff.” Cameron knew there would be lots of questions, but he didn’t have time right now.
“Is she okay?” The concern was clear in Luke’s voice.
“She will be. She’s bruised up and has a cracked rib, but we are getting ready to leave the hospital. Can y’all meet us at her apartment in about an hour?” Cameron was in the truck and getting ready to pull around to get her now.
“Absolutely. I’ll round everyone up, but there will be questions.” Luke warned him.
“I know, but one thing at a time. Right now, I want to get my wife home.” He knew he could count on their friends to help. “Thanks man, I’ll see you then.” He hung up as they rolled Kara out.
Susie climbed in the back, and he picked Kara up and sat her in the passenger seat. He carefully pulled the seatbelt around her and buckled her in. He looked at her to see if she was in pain, and it looked like she was holding her breath.
“Did I hurt you, Kara?” He asked as he brushed the hair off her face.
“No.” She squeaked.
“Sweetheart, what hurts?” Cameron wanted her to be comfortable with him.
“It’s just my ribs. I’m okay.” She was taking shallow breaths to keep from hurting them worse.
“Susie. I have a duffle bag back there, there should be a hoodie in it, can you hand it to me?” He asked not looking away from Kara.
“Here.” Susie said reaching over the seat.
Cameron wadded up the sweatshirt and carefully placed it between her ribs and the seatbelt. He looked back up and noticed she was already breathing a little deeper. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead before he shut her door and got in the driver’s seat.
After he had them on the road home, he reached across and held her hand. She looked up at him startled, but then she gave him a smile and leaned back in her seat. He looked in the rearview mirror and Susie raised her eyebrow in question. Cameron shrugged and enjoyed the feeling of holding Kara’s hand.
Chapter 3
The drive took a while. Kara got lost in her thoughts after Cameron took her hand. She had been confused at first, but then figured he was just trying to comfort her. The sweatshirt had eased the pressure the seatbelt put on her ribs. Susie hadn’t talked much, but she figured she was tired. Kara had slept, and she was still tired. She couldn’t believe everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours. She was married, MARRIED! To the guy with the whiskey color eyes that she could drown in. Scratch that, she had drowned in them, or she never would have agreed to this. Having to wear that heart monitor had been embarrassing. Every time he touched her, it sped up. She must have dozed off because she jerked awake and it took everything in her not to scream as the seatbelt tightened on her ribs.
“Easy, Kara. Relax sweetheart. We’re almost there. I will get your medicine before we go home, baby.” Cameron was rubbing his thumb over her knuckles as he was talking. The movement was soothing enough to let her start to relax.
“How did you know what I was dreaming about in the hospital?” Kara asked, she had forgotten about it till now.
“You were talking in your sleep.” He grinned over at her.
“I do not.” She snapped at him.
“Maybe not usually, but you did then.” Could the man be anymore adorable with that smile, and the dimple in his chin, and now that five o’clock shadow to set it off.
“Whatever.” She said, she wanted to huff at him, but it wasn’t worth the pain it would cause in her ribs.
She looked out the window and noticed they were almost to her apartment. As if sensing her nerves, Cameron squeezed her hand. She could do this. She had to keep her story straight, and go along with whatever Cameron and Susie said. Cameron didn’t seem to have a problem pretending to care for her. She was really worried that she would truly fall for him, then it would kill her when he left. Maybe this would all be over fast.
“Ready, Kara?” Cameron asked as they turned on the street in front of the diner.
“Do I have a choice?” She asked looking over at him.
“Not anymore.” He said tracing the wedding band on her finger. As he pulled in, his truck was mobbed by their friends.
“What happened?” Callie said leading the charge as soon as the window started going down.
“Go easy on her ladies, she had a rough night.” Cameron warned them.
“Yes, sir, sheriff.” They chorused back at him.
“I’ll be right back, sweetheart.” Cameron said then leaned over and kissed her cheek.
“So, what happened?” Chasity echoed her sisters earlier question.
“I was in a car accident.” As a group, they looked at her car, then turned back to her. “Cameron didn’t want me taking mine far till we had it checked since it has been parked for a while, so I rented a car. I was driving to the mall when someone cut me off, instead of hitting them, I ran into the guard rail.” Kara could see that they believed her by their horrified expressions.
“Why didn’t you call us?” Callie asked, she didn’t look happy.
“It happened last night, and Cameron and Susie were there at the hospital with me.” Kara felt bad for lying to them, but it was for their own protection.
“Come on girls, let’s get her packed. You can quiz her more when she feels better.” Susie said pushing out of the back seat. Kara watched them disappear up the stairs and felt a moment of fear. Seconds later, Cameron came bounding down the steps.
“Sorry, I didn’t want you to be alone.” Cameron said as he started the truck.
“It was just for a second, I’m fine.” She wasn’t sure if she was trying to reassure him or herself. He reached across and took her hand.
“We’ll grab your medicine and be home soon.” He reassured her.
“Thank you, Cameron, for everything. Hopefully this will blow over fast.” Kara said looking over at him.
“You don’t have to thank me. That’s what husbands are for.” He grinned at her before looking back at the road. “I don’t care how long it takes, I just want you safe.”
“I know, but it’s not…” Kara started, but he cut her off.
“I already told you this is what I wanted. I don’t want to hear you say it isn’t fair to me. I get to spend time with a good friend and beautiful woman. We will get the chance to get to know each other. It will be great, just relax and go with it.” Cameron squeezed her hand. She glanced over and he looked at her, so she nodded her head in agreement.
He turned his focus back on the road and so did she. After all that he was doing to keep her safe, the least she could do was relax and go with whatever he wanted. She would do her best to keep their relationship as simple and uncomplicated as possible. The truck bounced as he entered the drugstore parking lot and she squeezed his hand at the pain that shot through her ribs. If she would have been paying attention she could have braced herself for the jolt that was inevitable anytime you pulled into that parking lot.
“I’m sorry, baby. I should have gone slower.” Cameron said as he pulled into a spot and parked.
“It’s fine. I just wasn’t ready for it.” Kara looked at him and tried to smile, but from the look on his face she didn’t pull it off.
“I’ll grab a drink while I’m getting your meds so you can go ahead and take your pain pills. Will you be okay by yourself while I run in?” She nodded, but Cameron studied her face. “I will hurry, I promise.” He leaned over and kissed her forehead before rushing into the drugstore.
Kara glanced around herself, but her sight wasn’t the best with her swollen eye. She looked down at the handle on the door and saw the automatic lock button. She quickly pushed it feeing slightly better with even that small amount of pr
otection. She couldn’t stop herself from checking her surroundings and even looking in the mirrors. She was looking in the mirror on her side when someone knocked on the driver’s side window. She screamed and jerked around to see Cameron standing there. She quickly unlocked the doors, but she couldn’t stop the tears that streamed down her face.
“I’m sorry, Kara. I didn’t mean to scare you. Shhh… You’re okay. I’ve got you.” Cameron whispered over and over. He raised the console between them and wrapped his arm around her shoulders gently pulling her into him.
She knew her reaction was over the top and illogical, but she couldn’t stop the tears or the pounding beat of her heart. And bless Cameron, he just held her while she cried. He spoke softly to her, and gently stroked the unbruised side of her face. She couldn’t make out what he was saying, but just the sound of his voice and his soft comforting touch began to help her. What seemed like hours later, she let out a shuddering breath and looked up at him. He smiled softly at her, then kissed her forehead.
“How about one of your pain pills now? I’m sure now that you’ve calmed down, you are starting to feel the pain in your ribs from everything that’s happened.” Cameron said and dug in a bag to pull a bottle of pills and a bottled drink out.
“Thank you.” She whispered as she took a pill and washed it down with a sip from the drink.
“We’ll be home soon and you can rest.” Cameron kissed her forehead again, then slid back into the driver’s seat.
He went as slow as possible over the curb as they left the parking lot. She still winced, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as when he pulled in. Kara leaned her head back against the seat as he drove them to his house. She had no idea where he lived. Her mind wondered as the scenery passed by. He was doing a really good job of making this look real. He was always touching her, or kissing her forehead. She would have to be careful not to fall for him. His whiskey eyes made her wish for long lazy nights cuddled up together, and that dimple in his chin tempted her to kiss it slowly, working her way up to his lips.
*****
Kara's Protector Page 3