Whatever it Takes (Healing Hearts book 3)

by Laura Farr

  Catching my eye, he gave me a sad smile and shook his head. “No, those are a couple of days old at least. It looks like someone’s been rough with her.” I sighed and squeezed her hand, wishing that I knew what her story was and why she had been in the barn. I guess I’d have to wait until she woke up, to find out.

  Within minutes we were pulling up outside the hospital. Staff came out to meet the ambulance, and the girl was whisked away into the trauma area. Myself, Dad, and Mason, were all put in different cubicles. After what felt like a million tests, and five stitches to my hand, I was free to go. Dad and Mason had also been assessed. All three of us had suffered smoke inhalation, but other than that we were fine. After assuring my mom that I was okay, I asked a nurse for an update on Josh. Finding out he was still being assessed, I decided to find out how the girl was while we waited on news.

  Walking along the corridor, I stopped at the nurses’ station, glancing down at the woman at the desk as she spoke on the phone. She hadn’t seen me yet and my eyes widened in surprise as I recognized her face. As she replaced the receiver she lifted her head, her eyes meeting mine. “Brody,” she exclaimed, standing and coming around the desk. “What are you doing here?” She moved to stand next to me, taking in my disheveled appearance. I watched as her forehead crinkled into a frown. “Are you okay?” She placed her hand on my arm and squeezed gently.

  “Beth, hi. I didn’t realize you worked here,” I said with a small smile. Beth was Josh’s ex-girlfriend. We were pretty much thrown together one night when Josh brought her to the Brass Hall. Josh then spent the whole night following Savannah around like a goddamn lovesick puppy. Not surprisingly they’d split up shortly afterwards, and Josh had gotten together with Savannah. We’d hooked up a couple of times after they’d split, but neither of us were looking for a relationship. Meeting Beth’s worried eyes, I sighed. “There was a fire in the stables at home. Josh is in a bad way.”

  “No!” I heard her gasp and watched as her hand came over her mouth. “Is he going to be okay?”

  “He’s in trauma, there’s no news yet,” I told her sadly. “I hope to God he’s going to be okay. If anything happens to him…” I trailed off, my voice catching at the thought that he might not make it. I felt her reach her arms around me and pull me into a hug. I hugged her back fiercely, suddenly needing the comfort.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked, stepping out of my arms.

  Taking a deep breath to compose myself, I dragged my hand down my face. “I pulled someone from the stables. I was told she was brought here?” Her eyes flashed with recognition and she nodded, pointing down the corridor.

  “She’s in there. Do you know her name so we can contact her next of kin? She wasn’t carrying any ID.”

  “I’ve no idea who she is. I think she was sleeping in the stables. How is she? Is she awake?”

  “No, she’s still unconscious. Do you want to see her?” I nodded, and she guided me along the corridor to a side room, her hand resting against my lower back. “Go ahead. She can probably hear you if you want to talk to her.” She reached around me and opened the door. Glancing inside I saw the girl lying in the hospital bed, an oxygen mask over her face. “She’s on oxygen to help with the smoke inhalation. There are some cuts and bruises that we don’t think were sustained in the fire, and at some point fairly recently, she’s broken her ribs. The doctor thinks maybe four to five weeks ago. They are healing well but she’ll probably still be sore for a couple of weeks.”

  I inhaled sharply and fisted my hands at my side. With the bruising on her face and now the broken ribs, I’d put money on the fact that some asshole had put his hands on her. That’s why she was sleeping in the stables; she was running away from someone.

  “I’ll stay with her. If there is any news on Josh—”

  “Brody, I’ll come find you. I have a friend working in trauma and I’ll ask her to keep me updated.” I smiled gratefully at her and bent my head, brushing a kiss across her cheek.

  “Thanks, I’d appreciate that,” I told her as I turned and walked into the room. As I reached the edge of the bed, I pulled over a chair and sat down. The clothes the woman had been wearing when I’d pulled her out of the stables were gone, and she was wearing a hospital gown that looked far too big for her. A blanket was tucked under her arms and my eyes dropped to the dark bruises that wrapped around the arm nearest to me. Her blonde hair was splayed out on the pillow, and I noticed again her split lip and black eye. Anger bubbled inside me at the thought of who had done this to her. She must have felt desperate and so alone to have been hiding in the stables. Her eyes were closed but her head was turned toward me. Seeing her properly for the first time, I couldn’t help but stare at her; she was beautiful.

  Beth said she would be able hear me if I talked to her, but what the hell should I say? Who was she and where had she come from? Surely someone somewhere was missing her? Her parents or friends. Feeling like an idiot talking to someone I didn’t know, about God knows what, I opted to stay quiet. Knowing Beth would come and get me if there was any news on Josh, I relaxed back in the chair and closed my eyes. I wasn’t exactly sure what I was doing in her room, I just knew I needed to be here.

  Feeling someone gently shaking my shoulder, I slowly opened my eyes. The bright lights of the hospital room caused me to squint at the figure standing over me. As my eyes adjusted, I saw Beth next to me. My heart went into my mouth and I flew up out of the chair.

  “Is it Josh?” I asked in a panic. She nodded her head and reached her hands up, placing them on my chest.

  “He’s still unconscious, but he’s been moved from trauma to a room just down the corridor. His head injury wasn’t as bad as the doctors first thought. He’s suffering from smoke inhalation, but there’s no reason why he shouldn’t wake up soon.”

  I closed my eyes and let out a large exhale. The relief at knowing he was going to be okay was incredible. I could only imagine how relieved Savannah must feel. “Thank God! I should go see him,” I said, glancing at the sleeping figure in the bed next to me.

  “It’s just family at the moment, Brode. Stay here, she’ll be scared if she wakes up on her own.” I nodded and gave Beth a small smile. “I’m on shift for another hour, you might have to wait in the corridor when the staff change over. It’s really only family who can stay through the night. If I was working, I’d let you stay, but…” She trailed off.

  “No problem. I can wait in the corridor.” I eyed the girl's hand and gently scooped it up, enveloping it in my large one, noticing how perfectly her small hand fit in mine. “Where are the clothes she had on when she came in? Was there anything in her pockets?” I asked Beth as I rubbed my thumb over the back of the girl's hand.

  I watched as she walked across the room and picked something up from the cabinet beside the bed.

  “All we found was this.” She held out a photograph. “It was in the back pocket of her jeans. She was also wearing a wristwatch.”

  I took the photograph from her and read the swirly handwriting on the back. Me and Mom on my seventeenth birthday. I slowly turned the photo over. The girl who lay in the bed smiled back at me, and I felt my dick jump in my pants. She was stunning. Her long blonde hair fell over her shoulders in waves, and her piercing blue eyes seemed to sparkle with happiness. Seventeen, Brody, I reminded myself, not knowing how long ago the photo was taken. Glancing from the photograph to her lying on the bed, I couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to her. What sort of bastard would want to hurt her, and why?

  Beth had been right and after she’d finished her shift I was asked to wait in the corridor. Exhausted, I found myself falling asleep on the hard, plastic chairs. Savannah had woken me up early, but Josh still wasn’t awake. I could see how worried she was, and I did my best to reassure her. Josh loved her, and I knew he wouldn’t leave her without a fight. After filling her in on the girl, I kissed her on the cheek and made my way back down the corridor to the girl’s room.

  Sne
aking past the nurses' station, I slipped through the door and sat by her bed. Her eyes were still closed and the bruise around her cheek was slowly turning from black to purple. The swelling around her eye looked like it had lessened some. Sitting forward in the chair, I hesitantly took her hand in mine again. I was unsure whether I should be holding her hand, but I wanted her to know she wasn’t alone. Despite managing a few hours on the uncomfortable chairs in the corridor, I was still tired. The rhythmic beeping noise coming from the machines she was attached too soon had me falling asleep, my head dropping onto her bed.

  Quinn

  I forced my heavy eyelids open and squinted against the bright lights of the room. Trying to swallow, I groaned at the pain I felt in my throat. Where the hell was I, and how did I end up here? Turning my head, I gasped as I saw a man asleep next to me. “Evan?” I croaked. The man’s head, which was turned away from me, suddenly moved and he sat up. Relief flooded my body as I realized it wasn’t Evan. The only resemblance to him was the dark hair that fell over his forehead. Our eyes met, and I found myself staring into the bluest eyes I had ever seen. It was only then I realized he was holding my hand. Tearing my eyes from his I looked at our joined hands.

  “I’m sorry,” came a deep gravelly voice. “I didn’t know if I should hold your hand or not.” My eyes flew back up to his as he quickly dropped my hand. “I’m Brody, by the way.”

  “Where am I?” My hand moved up to hold my dry, scratchy throat.

  “Here, have some water.” Brody leaned over and reached for the jug at the end of the bed. I watched as he poured me a drink, and I gave him a small smile as he held out the cup for me to take. Hesitantly, I took it from him. He nodded encouragingly at me and I slowly sipped the water. While this wasn’t Evan, I couldn’t be sure it wasn’t someone Evan knew. I needed to be on my guard.

  “Better?” he asked. I nodded and handed him back the empty cup. “I’m just going to let the nurse know you’re awake.” He placed the cup back on the small table and walked out of the room, returning a moment later. “The nurse will be in soon,” he said with a reassuring smile.

  “Where am I?” I asked again, my voice sounding more like it usually did.

  “The hospital in Marble Falls. There was a fire in the stables. I pulled you out.”

  “A fire?” I repeated, noticing for the first time his blackened clothes and bandaged hand. I watched as he nodded his head and walked around the bed toward me. My eyes widened as he came closer and my heart pounded in my chest. He’d done nothing to make me wary of him, but right now I trusted no one.

  Sensing my unease, he stopped and held up his hands. “Hey,” he said softly. “I won’t hurt you.”

  “I’m sorry…” I whispered, my eyes dropping to my hands.

  “Don’t apologize,” he insisted.

  Taking a deep breath, I attempted a smile. “I haven’t thanked you… for rescuing me.” My eyes met his, and he returned the smile. “How did you know I was in there?” My heart pounded knowing I would have to explain what I was doing sleeping in the stables.

  “We didn’t. We were looking for my sister and found you instead.”

  “Oh. Is your sister okay?”

  He nodded. “Turned out she wasn’t in there, thank God. Her boyfriend got hurt though; he’s still unconscious.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “What were you doing in the stables?” he asked, sliding into the chair next to my bed.

  “I came to see Claire Parker about the domestic assistant job. I saw it advertised in the grocery store in Marble Falls.”

  “Claire’s my mom. My parents run the ranch. I didn’t know she was looking for staff,” he said with a frown. “How’d you end up in the stables?”

  My heart sank at hearing there might not be a job at the ranch. Not that they’d give it to me now, knowing I’d snuck onto their property. “I had to walk from where the bus dropped me and I got soaked in the rain. I figured I’d dry off overnight before attempting to make a good impression. Thought I'd change my clothes and tidy myself up…” I trailed off as I looked around the room. Sitting up in the bed, I felt panic grip my chest. “My backpack. Where’s my backpack?” I exclaimed, swinging my legs over the side of the bed, groaning as pain tore through my side.

  “Whoa, wait! Should you be getting up?” His hand curled around my arm. “Wait, I’ll fetch the nurse.”

  I shook off his hand and pushed myself off the bed, my legs shaking. “I need my backpack. Where’s my backpack?” I asked in a panic, seeing the clothes I’d been wearing the night before folded up neatly on a chair across the room.

  “Sorry, I didn’t see one. I just grabbed you and ran.” His voice tinged with annoyance, and I knew I’d pissed him off.

  Turning around, I stared at his angry eyes before dropping my head. “I’m sorry. I sound like I’m not grateful you rescued me, but everything I had was in there.”

  “All that stuff can be replaced.” His tone was softer, but I knew he wouldn’t understand. “What’s your name? I can help you.”

  “Quinn,” I told him quietly. Standing up he walked around the bed, picking something up from the cabinet next to where I was sitting.

  “The staff found this when you were brought in.” He held his hand out and I took the photograph from him. Looking down I felt tears well in my eyes as my mom’s smiling face looked back at me. It was taken on my seventeenth birthday. It was just under two years ago, but it felt like a lifetime since I was the happy, carefree girl in the photo. A single tear slipped down my cheek and a sob escaped my lips. I felt Brody reach for my hand, squeezing it gently. “Do you want to call your mom? You can use my phone.”

  I shook my head. “She died,” I muttered as I continued to stare at the photograph.

  “I’m sorry, Quinn,” he said sadly. “Do you want to speak to Evan?”

  I felt my whole body tense as I raised my head to look at him. “Is he here? Has he found me?” I whispered, my eyes wide.

  He shook his head. “No. No, he’s not here,” he assured me. “I just heard you say his name when you woke up. Who is he, Quinn? Did he…?” I watched as his eyes dropped to my split lip and bruised cheek.

  “No!” I exclaimed, not wanting to tell this person I’d just met my life story. “Evan’s my brother,” I lied. I saw a frown form on his face and I knew he didn’t believe me. Thankfully at that moment the door to my room opened, and a nurse walked in, cutting our conversation short.

  “Hey, you’re awake,” the pretty nurse said as she made her way over to my bed. “How are you feeling?” She picked up my chart and started writing inside it.

  “I’m okay. My throat's a little sore, and my side hurts, but other than that…” I trailed off not knowing what else to tell her.

  She nodded as she began to take my blood pressure and pulse. “I’ve paged the doctor, he’ll be here soon.” After taking my vitals, she wrote more details in my chart, before placing it back at the end of my bed. “We haven’t been able to call any relatives as you weren’t carrying any ID. What’s your name?” she asked kindly.

  “Quinn. Quinn Montgomery. There’s no one to call though, it’s just me.” My eyes flitted to Brody, and I subtly shook my head, hoping he wouldn’t mention Evan. Thankfully he seemed to take the hint and just raised his eyebrows in question. Ignoring him, I turned back to the nurse. “When can I leave?”

  “Let’s get you checked over by the doctor first,” she replied with a smile before leaving the room.

  “Where are you going to go?” Brody asked gently.

  I shrugged my shoulders. “I’ll be fine.”

  “How? If everything you had was in your backpack, all that’s left is those clothes over there.” He gestured with his head to the folded pile of clothes on the chair across the room.

  My eyes looked over to where he was pointing, and I sighed. “I’ll figure it out,” I muttered, not having a clue what I was going to do with no clothes and no money.

  Stand
ing up, he walked to the end of the bed and rested his hands on the bed frame. “Let me help you.” I sat up and opened my mouth to speak, but he held his hand out to stop me. “I’m not blind, Quinn. I can see the bruises. So, I know something is going on with you. I don’t expect you to share what’s happened, you barely know me. But I can help you.” His eyes found mine, and I held his gaze. He may have said he didn’t expect me to tell him what had happened, but his stare told a different story. Sighing, he came back to sit next to my bed. “Let me find you a job on the ranch. There are some of the old cabins not in use as well. You could live in one of those. Just until you can sort yourself out.”

  “Why?” I asked him, my voice showing my surprise. “Why do you want to help me?”

  He shrugged his shoulders. “I pulled you out of that burning stable, I don’t want it to be for nothing. You need help, and I can help you.” His eyes bored into mine and I found myself unable to look away. My apprehension from earlier was ebbing away, and I found myself thinking maybe I could trust him. My gut was telling me he was one of the good guys. Whatever connection we had was broken when the door to my room swung open and a doctor and a nurse came in. “Think about it, Quinn.” Standing up he made his way to the door, his hand resting on the handle. “I’ll wait outside while the doctor checks you over.”

  Brody

  Walking out of Quinn’s room, I closed the door behind me and dragged in a deep breath. “Shit!” I mumbled. Why I’d just offered her a job and a place to stay, I had no idea. I just knew I had to help her. I’d felt this overwhelming need to protect her from the minute I pulled her from the stables. I couldn’t explain it, but it was a feeling that left me uncomfortable. Sighing, I dropped my head back against the door and let out a groan. I couldn’t watch her walk away knowing she had nothing. She was scared, I just wish I knew who and what she was running from. As I walked down the corridor, I saw Beth approaching me.