Nikki swallowed a mouthful of food and waved the men away. Jarrod grabbed his unopened soda, then the men turned and left.
Chapter 6
In a room just down the hall from Nikki and Briana, Jarrod stared blankly at the TV screen. The video of Nicole’s interrogation, the parts they’d watched, had been an illumination and had disturbed him deeply.
He’d known Nikki had risked her life and vehicle to save his daughter. What he hadn’t known was that she’d made sure Briana had her seat belt on when she didn’t have time to do her own. That she’d made sure Briana had her head covered, her eyes and mouth closed to avoid the possibility of concussion, a bitten tongue, or broken glass in her eyes.
He hadn’t known that Nikki had hit her head on the door jamb and her chest against the steering wheel. Both injuries were because she had taken the time to ensure Briana would be safe before she’d considered her own safety.
On the tape she had repeated, word for word, the horrible things Davies had shouted at them. The horrible things he’d threatened them with if he caught them. Ron, the gas station attendant had called the police earlier, almost incoherent, and verified the story.
Throughout the many times she’d repeated her story she’d remained calm. Even when Grover had harassed her and ignored her requests for a rest room, something to drink, and a lawyer she’d remained calm. Until the very end.
Anyone who had paid attention, or who cared, could have seen when she’d reached the end of her rope. Grover hadn’t paid attention and he hadn’t cared, and Mount Vesuvius had erupted.
Jarrod smiled. He hoped she never got that mad at him. Then again, she certainly was magnificent when she was angry! The tousled red hair, flashing emerald eyes, flushed cheeks . . . He sighed. There were other ways to make a woman look like that. Maybe . . .
"Ahem!"
Jarrod jumped and turned, his cheeks warm with embarrassment, to look at the captain who smiled and said, "Well, I’ve seen enough. It’s time to get all of you out of here. I’ve got your phone numbers. I’ll contact you if we need anything further."
He reached out his hand and shook Jarrod’s firmly. "Let’s go see how your ladies are doing." With a wink he turned and walked back toward his office, Jarrod walked beside him. Why on earth am I wondering what Nikki would look like aroused? Christ! How inappropriate can I get?
They’d almost reached the doorway when they heard Briana’s anxious voice, "Nikki, Nikki? Dontcha feel good?"
They exchanged glances and ran for the door. The first thing they saw when they came through the door was Nicole. She sat on the floor, her arms wrapped around her legs, her head rested on her raised knees. Briana knelt in front of her, one small hand on Nikki’s silk covered arm. She looked at the bent head of her rescuer. "Nikki . . ."
Jarrod and Nathan knelt on either side of Nicole. "Nikki, look at me, what’s wrong?" Jarrod’s strong tanned fingers gently lifted Nikki’s chin so she’d meet his eyes. Her face was a ghastly shade of white, a film of sweat covered her skin, and her lips trembled.
"I . . ." She swallowed heavily. "I thought the dizziness and headache were because of the lack of food and a little bump on the head." She paused and went on, "I think I may have a slight concussion."
"Daddy." Bri pulled insistently at her father's arm. "Daddy, we gotta do somethun."
"Of course we do, honey." He looked over at Nathan. "Would you call my brother, Dr. Peter McKay, and tell him we’re on our way."
Nikki opened her mouth to protest but Jarrod continued, "Briana should have a checkup too."
"Daadddyy . . . nooo . . ." Briana strung out the words into more syllables than necessary to express her displeasure.
Edwards got to his feet and reached for the phone. "What’s the number?" He dialed as Jarrod recited it.
Jarrod’s arm was now around Nikki’s shoulders, to support her body against his. She sighed and relaxed a little more, closed her eyes. It was nice to have someone take care of her for once. Just for a little while. She felt so awful right now.
Nathan’s voice was official and authoritative when he spoke into the phone. "This is Captain Nathan Edwards of the Sacramento Police Department. I need to speak to Dr. McKay immediately. This is an emergency."
The receptionist must have taken him seriously because less than thirty seconds later he spoke again. "Dr. McKay, this is Captain Nathan Edwards of the . . . Yes, yes, your niece is fine. A little shaken, but she’s fine. She could use a checkup though. The reason I’m calling though is the woman who rescued her has a nasty bump on her head and your brother wants to bring both of them by to see you."
He listened for a moment and then spoke again, "If you could have someone meet them at the back door of your office to avoid publicity . . . Fine, fine probably about ten minutes . . . Okay, good-bye."
Edwards hung up and turned to the group of people who sat on his office floor. "Ten minutes at the back door. Someone will be there." He picked up Nikki’s purse, computer and briefcase. "Well, what are we waiting for, let’s go."
"If there are any reporters out there they’re going to have a field day," Jarrod said grimly.
"We’ll go out the back. Give me your keys and I’ll have your car brought around back."
Jarrod dug his keys out of his jeans pocket and tossed them to the captain. Edwards caught the keys and headed for the door. "Give me a minute before you bring her out the rear entrance."
Jarrod scooped Nikki up in his arms and stood up. "Wait, I can walk," she protested weakly. "I’m not helpless."
"Of course you’re not. Just like my daughter wasn’t helpless when you carried her out of the restroom." He strode out the door and down the hallway toward the rear parking lot with Briana close behind.
When Jarrod stepped out of the back door he saw Edwards himself get out of the Jeep parked close to the back door.
"I’m going to make a statement to the press. If you wait here a couple of minutes, you can escape the vultures." He winked at Nikki; he’d remembered her earlier comment.
"You’ve already made several statements to the press," he said to Jarrod, "but all of you will have to deal with them again sooner or later. In this case, I’d say later would be better." He opened the passenger door so Jarrod could set Nikki inside. "Your bag, briefcase, and computer are in the back seat."
Jarrod set Nikki gently on the seat and drew the seat belt around her. His warm hand brushed across hers and made the skin tingle. She could still feel exactly where he’d touched her back and legs when he carried her out to the Jeep.
As Jarrod stepped away to help Briana into the back seat, Captain Edwards stepped up to talk to her. "Nikki, it’s been a real pleasure. Since Davies was doing such a good job of eluding us I’m glad you found Briana. I’m sure sorry about that mess with Grover." He held out his hand.
"I know we’ll see each other again, what with the trial for Davies and Grover’s investigation. Someone from the department will get in touch with you about court dates and testimony."
Nikki shook his hand firmly and smiled wanly. "I signed my statement. It’s on your desk. You made an otherwise unbearable situation bearable. Thank you."
Nathan smiled, shut the door and stopped to say good-bye to Jarrod and Briana. He walked back toward the building and waved before he stepped inside.
"Jarrod?"
"Yes?" He looked up from Briana and her seat belt.
"Would you please hand me my purse. I need my sunglasses. The sunlight makes my headache worse."
"Sure." He picked up the purse and handed it to her between the front seats. "What do you have in here? Bricks?"
"No, just the essentials." She gave a small smile.
He smiled back. That purse felt as heavy as a small suitcase. If her purse just held the ‘essentials’ what would she pack like for a trip? He shook his head at his wayward thoughts then started the Jeep.
As they drove out of the parking lot they saw the reporters crowd into the police station. Captain E
dwards had kept his promise to distract the media.
* * * * *
Everyone was silent on the way to the doctor’s office. Jarrod and Nicole were lost in their own thoughts, Briana was asleep. It had been a long and stressful day for everyone.
Jarrod parked the Jeep in the parking lot behind his brother’s office and turned off the engine. "We’re here. Let’s go in."
By the time Jarrod had gotten around the Jeep to the passenger door, Nikki had already opened it herself and climbed out. He looked at her with reproach. "I was taught to open doors for ladies."
Nikki looked up in surprise. "Sorry. I’m used to the so-called ‘liberated male’ of today. I’ll try to remember, if there’s a next time."
Jarrod opened Briana’s door. She was slumped down in her seat. The only thing that kept her upright in her exhausted state was her seat belt.
Jarrod smiled softly, undid the seat belt, and caught his daughter before she slid bonelessly onto the seat.
Gently he picked her up and shut the door. "Let’s go." With his daughter cradled in one arm, he put his other around Nikki’s shoulders.
They turned and walked toward the building. One of the back doors opened and a blonde in a white lab coat stepped out.
"Hi, Tasha." He greeted the petite blonde with a kiss on her cheek. "Sorry if this is an inconvenience."
Jealousy flashed through Nicole so strong it made her even more unsteady on her feet. Why should she care whom he kissed? It was none of her business. Just because Briana’s mother wasn’t around didn’t mean she hadn’t been replaced. After all, Jarrod was an attractive man with a beautiful, bright daughter.
"Of course it’s not an inconvenience! How is she?" Tasha laid her hand on Briana’s back.
Jarrod tightened his arm around Nikki’s shoulders when he felt her sway. "She’s fine. Just exhausted. It’s been an incredibly long day . . . for all of us."
"No doubt! We were all worried sick. It was such a relief when you called earlier to say she was back and unharmed."
She turned and gave Nikki the once-over with big gray eyes. "Is this the heroine of the hour?" At Jarrod’s nod she turned to Nicole and held out her hand. "Since Jarrod won’t introduce us, I’ll have to. I’m Tasha McKay, his sister-in-law."
Nikki took the smaller hand in her own. "Hello, Tasha, I’m Nicole Kincaid." A wave of relief swept over her as she realized the beautiful blonde must be Peter’s wife. There were times, especially when she was growing up, that she’d wished she was tan, blonde, and five feet four inches tall with a cute, curvy figure. She felt like an Amazon beside the much smaller woman.
She swayed again as a wave of dizziness washed over her. "I think I need to sit down." She swallowed heavily in an effort to control her upset stomach. "Quickly."
Jarrod’s arm slipped down to her waist and pulled her closer to him. His eyes searched her features carefully for signs of distress.
Her fair skin was much too pale and the way she leaned heavily against him suggested that he supported almost her entire weight. If his arm wasn’t there, she wouldn’t be able to stand on her own.
"Let’s get her inside." Tasha slipped Nikki’s free arm over her shoulders to help support her weight.
Chapter 7
Nikki was never quite clear on how they made it into the office. The next thing that was clear was that she was flat on her back on a couch. And she was surrounded.
Jarrod, Briana, Tasha, and another man who looked so much like Jarrod he could only be his brother Peter, all hovered over her. Everyone looked very concerned and Jarrod held one of her hands.
"If I was claustrophobic this could be an uncomfortable situation." Nikki could hardly believe the croak she heard was her own.
Jarrod grinned in relief. "I for one don’t care to have my nose broken. I’ll back up." He squeezed the hand he held and stayed where he was despite his teasing words. "You scared us there for a minute. How do you feel?"
"If one more person asks me how I feel I’m going to scream." She swallowed painfully as she tried to ease the tightness in her throat. "On the other hand, maybe I’ll just give them a dirty look."
"All right, little brother, let go of her hand and let me see if she’s okay." Peter looked at Jarrod. "That is why you brought her here isn’t it?"
Nikki was embarrassed as Jarrod reluctantly let go of her hand, stood up, and backed away a few steps. He swung Briana up into his arms and she laid her head on his shoulder and gave a heavy sigh.
Nikki smiled at the sight, then looked at Jarrod. Her smile slowly faded when she saw the depth of tenderness revealed in those expressive brown eyes. It was natural that he would be concerned about her under the circumstances, but it still unsettled her. She allowed very few people to get close to her heart and she wasn’t sure that the McKays’ would or should be included in that category.
Peter cleared his throat to break the intense look. "I don’t mean to interrupt, but shouldn’t we get this show on the road? You two can gaze into each others eyes later. I’m Dr. Peter McKay, by the way, but you can call me Peter." He winked at her. "Just don’t call me Petey when my wife’s around. She doesn’t like it."
Nikki’s flushed at Peter’s first comment. Even Jarrod’s cheekbones started to turn red.
"Do you think you can sit up or would you rather lie down a little longer?" Peter asked as he took her pulse. He raised an eyebrow at the fast rate. He glanced at Jarrod over his shoulder and shook his head.
Nikki pushed up on her elbow. "I think I can sit up." With Tasha on one side and Peter on the other, she managed. Barely. The room turned to shades of black and white and she blinked rapidly to clear her vision. She lost the flushed look Peter’s remarks had caused and swallowed heavily.
"Okay, let’s get you next door into an exam room." Slowly, with the help of Peter and Tasha, she made it. She sighed shakily when she sat on the edge of the padded table.
Jarrod carried a sleepy Briana and eyed Nikki closely. He sat down in an uncomfortably small chair and squirmed restlessly.
Peter stepped closer and looked into her eyes. "At the risk of getting my nose broken or a dirty look, how do you feel?"
She smiled feebly. "You’ve heard about feeling like you’ve been run over by a Mack truck?" At Peter’s nod she continued, "I think it was a convoy."
Peter smiled and started the examination. Tasha handed him what he needed before he asked for it.
Now that she sat quietly, she had a chance to really look at Dr. Peter McKay. He looked like his brother in a lot of ways, but they also looked very different. Peter was the older by several years and about six inches shorter. His hair was a lighter shade of brown and his eyes were a deep, dark blue. He looked more relaxed and comfortable with himself than Jarrod did. Maybe that was because of the abduction, but she didn’t think so. Peter seemed to be happier and more at peace with himself.
After he took her pulse rate again, he took her temperature, blood pressure, and asked basic questions about her general health and what hurt. He looked surprised when she said she was thirty-two. When she looked at him, a question in her eyes, he whispered that Jarrod was only thirty-one, but he didn’t have a hang-up about older women.
She could feel her cheeks flush at his comments and she didn’t dare look at Jarrod. Peter examined the lump on her head carefully, probed gently, and apologized briefly when she flinched.
He examined her neck and throat, then shook his head when he was done. "You’re going to be awfully sore tomorrow, my dear."
He reached for his stethoscope and listened to her heart. At his surprised look she said quietly, "Mitral valve prolapse." Peter nodded, took a step back and slung the stethoscope back around his neck.
"Mitral what?" Jarrod questioned intently, instantly alert.
"Mitral valve prolapse. It’s a heart condition. Usually not too serious as long as the patient knows about it and is careful." Peter replied absently and noted it on her chart.
"Careful? How?" Jarrod�
�s face was intense.
Nikki replied before Peter could. "When I get my teeth cleaned, I have to take a couple of antibiotic pills first. Otherwise I could get a heart infection, which could be quite serious. I’ve never had a single problem with it though. My doctor says I should die of old age like everybody else."
Jarrod’s curious eyes found Peter’s. Peter nodded confirmation and Jarrod slowly relaxed. Briana stirred. "Hold still, Daddy, I’m sleepy."
"Sorry, honey." He smiled and leaned back in the chair with Briana still in his arms.
"Shouldn’t you check her ribs too?" Jarrod asked. "She hit the steering wheel in the accident."
Nikki shot him a dirty look. "My ribs are fine."
"Just like you said you were fine right before you passed out? Right."
"I didn’t . . ."
"Stop it you two. Nicole, unbutton your shirt." At her shocked look he smiled and winked. "Don’t worry, my wife’s here so I won’t try anything."
He locked gazes with Jarrod. "And my little brother’s going to leave the room. Aren’t you?"
"Look, I’ve had broken ribs more than once. They aren’t broken this time. Take my word for it," Nikki said in a reasonable tone of voice.
"Sorry, can’t do that. Hippocratic oath and all that."
Jarrod turned his head around so fast she could almost hear the snap when broken ribs were mentioned. He looked at Nikki’s embarrassed face and asked. "How?"
"I used to drive stunt cars in Hollywood. Even the best laid plans . . . Anyway, the last job I was on the other driver messed up. I wrecked. Three broken ribs, one of which almost punctured a lung. Believe me, they’re not broken this time."
"Jarrod, leave now." Peter’s voice was firm.
Jarrod’s jaw had turned to granite and his eyes locked on his brother’s. "I’ll turn the chair around. I’m not going to leave."
Peter sighed heavily. "Nikki?"
"Fine. Let’s get it over with," she said in a clipped tone. She ripped the tails of her shirt out of her slacks and unfastened the buttons. Under her breath she mumbled unkind things about their parentage, such as their mother must have found them both under a rock.
Alice Carpenter Page 5