Ash watched as her usually poised friend practically sprinted out of the room. She would talk with her later about it, but for now, all the back and forth had exhausted her. “Would y’all hate me if I needed to rest?”
Michael spoke first. “So glad you said that, because standing around staring at each other for the rest of the evening was not high on my list of priorities. It gets really boring.”
Ash sighed. “Thanks, Mike, love you too.”
“Ash, I spoke with Cris earlier. The police are at your apartment now, but if they will let me, I’ll see about getting your toiletries and some pajamas.” Amy smiled and patted Ash’s hand. “Otherwise, I’ll swing by Target and pick a few things up.” She glanced at her watch. “I should be back in a couple hours.”
Ash didn’t have any biological sisters, but her brothers had married women that she thought of like her sisters. “Thanks, Amy.”
Lara took a step back as Ash’s family members came over and each gave her a gentle hug, and said their goodbyes. When the room was empty, Lara took Ash’s hand in hers again. “You’re very lucky to have a family that loves you so much.”
There was a hint of bitterness in her voice that made Ash wonder about her upbringing. Lara had been vague about her family, and all Ash really knew was where they were from and that they had wealth.
Lara brushed a stray strand of hair from Ash’s forehead, and Ash felt a lump form in her throat at the concern in the woman’s eyes. “I know. I would be lost without them.”
Lara nodded, and gently ran her finger down Ash’s non-swollen cheek. “I’m going too, but I want you to know that when your father told me what had happened, I realized -” Lara hesitated, and looked down. “I realized I wanted more for you and I.” Lara looked at Ash for several seconds. “Is that something you might want too?”
The lump in Ash’s throat suddenly felt like a weight that had rolled down onto her chest. She cared for Lara, and her being here today made it clear how much Lara cared for her. Ash opted for the truth, even if it did make her seem a bit like a coward.
“I’ve been thinking about that too, but I don’t want to make any decisions when I’m only a couple hours from nearly being pummeled to death in my own home.” Ash smiled, not wanting Lara to think she was upset the subject had been broached.
“Oh god, of course. I’m sorry.” Lara rubbed her forehead. “I wasn’t thinking, and I should have waited.”
Ash reached for Lara’s hand. “There’s no script for these things, so it’s okay. You were honest, and I wanted to be with you too.” Ash lifted Lara’s hand to her lips, and lightly kissed it.
The dark haired woman smiled, leaned in and kissed Ash softly on the lips. “I’ll come by tomorrow.”
Ash nodded. “Sadly, I think I’ll still be here.”
Lara smiled and left the room, pulling the door closed behind her. Ash lay looking up at the ceiling of the now silent hospital room. The silence was short lived. There was a knock on the door, and a split second later a tall, svelte redheaded man walked into Ash’s room dressed in black scrubs. “Ms. Haines. I’m Gabriel, your nurse. Doctor Stephens will be in shortly, but a quick overview. You have a concussion, and we will be keeping you for several days to observe, and run additional tests until we are comfortable everything in the wiring is okay.”
The man pointed at Ash’s head. “You were unconscious for a while, and several times by Dr. Atman’s reckoning. That’s not good, hence the multiple days of observations.” The man paused and made eye contact with Ash for the first time. “Any questions?”
Ash shook her head. She doubted she would be able to get a word in if he got going again. “Thank you.”
“Please don’t hesitate to hit the call button if you need anything, and depending on what the doctor says, I’ll get you some pain meds for that jaw.” Gabriel pulled the laptop cart over, and began quickly typing. “It won’t be the good stuff, though. We don’t want you passing out from the head injury and we just think you’ve taken a happy ride on Demerol.”
In several quick clicks, the nurse slid the mouse back and forth, and then pushed the cart back into the corner. “Dr. Stephens should be in shortly.” Without waiting for Ash’s response, Gabriel walked out of the room, leaving the door open.
Ash hit the button on her bed to recline it. Realizing the further back she laid, the more her head throbbed, she opted to remain in a pseudo seated position.
Damnit, I didn’t think to ask anyone for something to read. She knew her head hurt too badly to focus on the television across the room. A faint buzzing sound came from the night stand. Ash smiled, realizing her father had left her phone with her. She smiled when Cris’ name came up on the caller ID. “Yo, partner.” She wanted to keep this light.
“Yo yourself. Are you okay?” Cris’ tone was tense.
“I’m okay. My head hurts like hell, but I’m gonna live.” Ash smiled at her partner’s concern.
“CSI is at your place now. I’m heading over there shortly.” Cris took a deep breath. “Clark and Holmes are on the case. It’s being treated as a burglary that got interrupted.”
Ash bit her lower lip. A lot of what happened was still a blur. She knew in time that could change, but what she was certain of was it wasn’t a burglary. “Are you going to come to the hospital after?” She wanted to talk through this with him in person.
“I had planned on it.” Cris answered. “Can probably get there around nine.”
“Great, can you bring me a few magazines?” Ash asked with a smile on her face.
“Hold up. Would that involve me going into a book store? Because you know I’m functionally illiterate.” Cris teased.
Ash chuckled. “I don’t want you to strain yourself. Can you bring my iPad from the nightstand? The charger is in the drawer.”
“Done and done. See you in a few hours.” Cris ended the call.
Ash put the phone back on the nightstand, and within a few seconds it began buzzing again. She looked at the caller ID and shook her head. “Hey, Al.”
“Sweet Mary Magdalene and all the saints, what’s happened?” Alan’s voice was at least an octave higher than usual.
“Intruder in my apartment, and I had the misfortune of interrupting them.” She wasn’t going to tell Alan about her suspicions until she knew for certain, and maybe not even then depending on how crazy the truth was.
“Could you sound any more casual? I talked to Michael, and he told me it was pretty serious. If the hot doctor hadn’t come along - and yes, we will talk about why she was at your apartment later - you would be crunchy toast.” Alan took a deep breath.
“Come to the hospital, and see I’m fine.” Ash wondered if she had just made a mistake. She still hadn’t had a look in a mirror and had no idea how bad the bruising and swelling was. Her efforts to console her friend may have the exact opposite effect.
“I’ll be there in a half hour. Room number, please?”
Ash gave Alan the information, and hung up. Laying her head back against the stiff pillow, she was hoping to rest for a while before Alan arrived. Her phone began to buzz again.
“Jesus Christ.” Ash reached for the phone, and seeing the text message smiled in spite of her irritation.
Do you need something to read? Emma’s message read. I didn’t see anything while I was there.
Ash quickly responded. Don’t trouble yourself. It’s okay.
A few seconds later the phone buzzed again. I’m still in the hospital. Went to visit colleague. No trouble.
Ash responded. A few magazines then… please.
Okay. Emma replied.
Ash put the phone on her lap, closed her eyes, and laid her head back. Even though she was exhausted, the idea of seeing Emma again gave her a surge of energy. Her feelings for the beautiful woman were getting more difficult to define and ignore. She thought of Emma as a friend, and knew – given the appearance of ambiguity in Emma and Coleen’s relationship – Emma thought of her as only a friend.<
br />
There was something in how Emma spoke to her and looked at her, though, that made Ash wonder if there might be more. The way Emma said her name, the way she focused so intently on everything Ash said made Ash feel like there was more to see each time she looked at Emma.
“Ash?” Emma spoke quietly. Ash opened her eyes, and looked up. Emma stood next to her bed, a slight smile on her face and a stack of magazines in her arms.
“I hope I managed to find something you like.” Emma put the stack of periodicals on the nightstand next to the bed.
Ash watched her closely, feeling almost euphoric. It’s the head injury, Haines. You know from all of the first aid and CPR classes, heightened and exaggerated emotions can accompany a head injury. But she looks really good.
“Any of these look good to you?” Emma asked, handing Ash several magazines.
Ash forced her attentions away from the beautiful doctor and onto the magazines. Thumbing through the stack she couldn’t help but smile. All About Beer, Texas Monthly, Psychology Today, Discover, and Curve were among the vast array of titles Emma had brought her. “Did you clean the place out?”
Emma smiled. “Variety is the spice of life.”
Ash glanced around the room, not seeing her wallet or bag. “I don’t know where my wallet is, but I’m good for it.”
Emma shook her head. “My treat. You’ve had a rough day.” She took a step back. “I’ll leave you to rest now.”
Ash’s hand acted independent of her brain, and reached out to grab Emma’s. “Please stay.”
Emma’s eyes widened and she looked down at Ash’s hand. “You have to be exhausted, and –”
Ash forced herself to release the doctor’s cool hand. “I am, but –” Ash wasn’t sure what she should say. Telling her the truth that she wanted Emma near, and that she felt better with her seemed too forward and intense for where their relationship was. She managed some semblance of the truth.
“My friend Alan, who you met at Blue Box, will be here soon, and I know he would love to see you again.” Emma looked at Ash, and the blue in her eyes seemed to shift like a kaleidoscope. “Emma, your eyes-”
Emma swallowed and took a step toward Ash, whose heart began to immediately race. Ash thought a shadow of desire passed across Emma’s face as her eyes stayed focused on Ash’s. Then it was gone.
“Did you know you have partial heterochromia iridis in your left eye? This appears as a cluster of reddish brown within the darker brown of the surrounding iris.” Emma walked around the bed toward the chair, and Ash blinked several times, feeling embarrassed that she had completely misread that exchange.
“There are a number of causes. All genetic in nature.” She smiled reassuringly at Ash as she sat in the chair and crossed her legs.
“Yea, my mom had it too.” Ash forced a casual expression on her face, even though every part of her wanted to shake Emma and demand to know what was going on with the two of them. “Emma?”
The doctor looked at Ash, the smile leaving her face as Ash leveled her gaze at her. “Ash.” The hitch in Emma’s voice betrayed her calm demeanor.
Ash bit her lower lip as she considered Emma. “Can I tell you something? Something I’m not even ready to share with Cris yet?” Ash heard the words coming out of her mouth, totally independent of her judgment and reason. Something in Emma’s manner made her feel safe to share what she knew would sound ridiculous.
Emma nodded. “Of course.”
“It wasn’t a burglar. I mean he broke in, but he was there for me, not my stuff.” Ash exhaled.
Emma leaned forward in the chair and nodded. “What was it about then?”
Ash smiled, realizing Emma didn’t think she was being paranoid. “I think it has to do with the Garrett case. The whole thing has been wonky from the beginning, and there was something-” Ash clamped her mouth shut, chastising herself for nearly telling Emma all of her suspicions.
“Something?” Emma got up and stood next to Ash.
Ash shook her head. “Nothing, I just think something isn’t right. I can’t prove it, but I know.” She looked up at Emma, hoping for some sign she understood. “I know to someone like you that seems ridiculous.”
Emma tilted her head to the side. “Someone like me?”
Ash looked down at her lap. “I don’t make assumptions in my line of work, detective.” She grinned as she recounted their conversation from three weeks ago.
Emma chuckled. “Well, in your line of work assumptions are synonymous with hunches, and those can get us headed in the right direction.”
Ash’s eyes widened as she looked up at Emma. “You listened.” Emma nodded, and Ash shifted in the bed so she was facing the doctor more fully. “But do you agree, Emma?”
The doctor took a deep breath. “Why don’t you tell me what we’re assuming and go from there?”
Ash nodded, relieved her friend was willing to listen. “The guy who attacked me was strong, I mean really strong. I work out and I pass my physicals, in some cases lifting more weight and running longer, faster than my male counterparts.”
Ash shook her head. “But this guy was on me so quick and he was so strong, I - there wasn’t anything I could do.” Ash was surprised and embarrassed when she started crying. Emma reached for the box of tissue on the nightstand and without a word, handed them to Ash. “I just can’t put my finger on it,” she said as she blew her nose.
Emma sat down on the edge of the bed next to Ash. “What do you think it all means?”
Ash looked up at Emma, her eyes red from crying. She wanted to say it, but it sounded crazy in her head; so she knew it would sound insane coming out of her mouth. Looking at Emma, her blue eyes full of concern, Ash decided to trust her friend. “He wasn’t human.”
Emma’s face remained expressionless. “Why do you think that?”
Ash swallowed hard, feeling encouraged the level-headed, fact-based, logical doctor hadn’t laughed at her or worse, called Dr. Stephens in for fear the blow to Ash’s head had done permanent damage. “He smelled like rancid meat and wet dirt, and when he spoke-”
Emma’s brow shot up. “He spoke to you?”
Ash nodded. “Yeah, he said - remember I was this close.” Just saying the words out loud sent a chill up Ash’s spine.
Emma got up, and walked around the bed. “I don’t think you’re crazy.” Emma picked up her purse. “I know this is terrible timing, but I have to go.” Emma glanced at her watch. “Can we talk more about this later?”
Ash wasn’t sure what had just happened. One minute Emma seemed to be going along with Ash, and then she was bolting out the door again. Ash was getting tired of this on and off act the doctor had going. “Are you serious?”
Emma was reaching into her purse when she stopped, surprised by the harshness in Ash’s voice. “I’m afraid I am. Please, I’m truly sorry, but-”
Ash felt tears pushing at the back of her eyes, and she hated how emotional she got with Emma. “You know Emma, there are some things even good manners can’t make right. Telling your friend who was just vulnerable with you after having - what did you call it - a rough day, that you have to suddenly be somewhere, is definitely shitty.”
Emma stood, her purse dangling from her bent arm, her mouth open in shock. “I’m sorry Ash that you-” The woman shut her mouth, the sound of her teeth clenching was audible. “What I mean is-” Emma took a deep breath and forced the air back out of her lungs. “Fuck.” She ran her long tapered fingers through her hair. “I can’t get this right.”
Once Ash got past hearing Emma swear for the first time, and the perverse thrill it gave her, she softened her voice. “Get what right?”
Emma looked at Ash, her brow furrowed. Ash didn’t know if she was unwilling or unable to speak. The tension broke as Alan walked into the room with a bouquet of wildflowers in his arms. “Emma, how lovely to see you again.”
Emma turned to Alan. “Alan, lovely to see you. I’m on my way out, but I’m glad Ash won’t be left alo
ne.” Not waiting for a response, Emma turned to Ash. “I’ll call you later.” Pulling her car keys from her purse, she left the room.
Alan looked back and forth between Ash and the empty doorway. “What’d I miss?”
Chapter 9
Dr. Stephens had been pleased with the results of the MRI, motor skills and cognitive tests Ash had been subjected to, so Ash had been released from the hospital after two days. Cris had reported to her daily on her case and the Garrett case. His news was never good, since neither case was getting anywhere. Lieutenant Edwards had told her in no uncertain terms she was to take the remainder of the week off, and recover before returning to work.
Lara had come to the hospital both days, and brought Ash Las Palapas tacos one day, and Five Guys cheeseburgers the next. “I can’t imagine the food here is anything good,” she had commented, handing Ash the grease soaked burger bag. She had stayed and played dominos with Ash, and whichever family members happened along.
Ash had never thought of herself as indecisive. Lara was beautiful, kind, funny and intelligent, but their moments together made no lasting impression on Ash. Nothing of the woman imprinted on her mind or heart, and there was nothing there for Ash to take out later and admire. She enjoyed her company, but the more time she spent with Lara the more cautious she became of confusing a fondness and attraction to her as anything more.
On the other hand, Ash seemed to be constantly pulling Emma from the back of her mind, and admiring her. This was in spite of the fact Emma had not called or come to the hospital after their awkward exchange.
Ash assumed she had upset the doctor, or she felt guilty over her behavior and thought seeing Ash again would be uncomfortable. Regardless, Ash was sick of feeling quietly uncertain about her feelings for Emma.
“You know I’m making you my five-hour marinara?” Alan shouted from Ash’s kitchen. “Five hours.”
Ash sat reclined on her couch, happy she was home again, and that CSI hadn’t completely annihilated her apartment. “I get it. It’s a big deal.”
Becoming Forever (Waking Forever Series) Page 12