but, mercury's not in retrograde!
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“No chance of that lover.” Alex brushed Sam’s cheek as she stood up and then left the room, closing the door behind her.
As Alex stared at the door she was numb, not from the attack, but from all that had happened because of it. She needed to know how long she would be in the hospital. She wanted to leave right now but knew that wasn’t going to happen as long as she had the IV in her arm. Trying to move her left arm caused severe pain, but sitting up wasn’t that bad. She hoped she would only have to stay for a couple of days. But then she was at the mercy of her doctor and would need to show great improvement so she could get a quick release. It was only a few minutes later when her door opened and Alex thought Sam must have run all the way.
“Ms. Whitney, I’m Dr. Delgado. How are you feeling?” Alex looked familiar, but she couldn’t place where they had met before.
“I’m feeling great, except my arm’s a little sore.” Alex wondered if she’d buy it.
“Great, you say? You are a quick healer. My guess is your arm hurts like crazy and the pain in your chest is tolerable, but you want out of here so badly you’d jump out of bed to prove you’re fine. How am I doing?” Smiling at Alex as she reviewed her chart, she waited for her answer.
“You’re good. I guess your patients lie to you all the time. But really, I’m not in horrific pain, which works for me, so can I go home tomorrow?” Alex didn’t want to say today as she was sure she’d never go for that.
“Tomorrow may be a possibility but we’ll have to see how you are. We’d like to hear you’re in minimal pain, so even if it isn’t horrific we still need it to come down a bit.” The doctor checked her IV and signed off on her chart just as Sam came back in out of breath.
“Dr. Delgado, is everything okay?” Sam looked at Alex who had a big smile on her face.
“Adrienne, please. Yes, she’s fine. Although she is trying to con me into thinking she’s ready to leave tomorrow, but we’ll see. Are you two a couple?” Adrienne noticed the next of kin as a Samantha Pierce. She also realized where she knew Alex from. She had read the papers regarding her run in with Sally Jennings and the rumors that flew around the hospital after she left for New Mexico.
“Yes, we are. How could you tell, except for the fact that Sam ran in here out of breath from returning from the parking lot in record time.” Alex’s gaydar had sounded, but this woman was quite exotic looking and not your typical lesbian.
“That pretty much gave it away. How long have you two been together?” Adrienne thought it would be nice to know some other lesbians, other than the ones who worked with her at the hospital.
“Not very long. We’re still in that ‘can’t keep our hands off of each other’ stage. But we’ll be good while were here.” Alex felt very comfortable kidding around with her about all this.
“Well, I wish you all the best. A good woman is hard to find in these parts. I’ve often thought I might have to sew one together for myself one of these days if the pickings don’t improve. You get some rest and I’m sure you’ll be happy to know the reporters have all gone away. See you later.” Adrienne hoped that if they knew any eligible lesbians they would keep her in mind.
“Reporters! Sam, what aren’t you telling me?” Alex could see Sam wince when Adrienne mentioned the reporters.
“That they know you’re the one who was hurt and that you’re here. I overheard one of the reporters calling you a super hero, because you overpowered a man who was over six feet tall with a straight razor and lived to tell about it. Also the Sheriff will be up soon. He’s here checking with the coroner. They did the autopsy on Richard and have the cause of death.” Sam knew Alex wouldn’t be thrilled with the results.
“Which is?” Alex knew Sam well enough to know she was trying to hide something from her.
“It looks like he bled to death. The Sheriff said you can see the blood trail going up to the cliff where he went over. The coroner will have the official reason.” Sam hoped it was a self inflicted wound.
“The Sheriff’s had a long night. But I never got my hands on that razor. Richard still had it when he jumped over the railing in the gazebo. He did land in a heap, but then I didn’t stick around to see if he was okay. I took off for the woods to try to find the Sheriff.” Alex thought she might have the missing piece in this puzzle. “You know, Richard may have impaled himself with the razor when he landed.”
Sam nodded in agreement. “That sounds like a good possibility. Anyway, if he didn’t bleed to death, the fall surely would have killed him.”
Sam could see the old Alex emerging from the ashes that this latest development had brought. She knew it was just time and tender loving care that would put her back on her feet again, then they would have the rest of their lives to enjoy. They had been given the most precious gift of time of a future together and they had Anna and Ramon to thank for it. Sam reached for Alex’s hand as they silently counted their blessings. They both closed their eyes and smiled. It had been a very long night.
Epilogue
Alex was released from the hospital the following day but only on her promise she would go home and stay in bed. That was a promise Sam was going to make sure she kept at all costs. The doctor ordered her to stay in bed for five days and then begin physical therapy as soon as the stitches were removed.
Alex’s classes were going to be covered by a temporary substitute until she could come back full time, and Mrs. Greenway stated she didn’t want to see her before the first of the new year. That would not only give Alex wellneeded time to heal, but also time to spend with Sam. They sure needed that minus crises and life and death drama! Plus, there would be more quality time to spend with Jessie when they returned to New Mexico for Christmas. Alex and Sam had a well-deserved and much anticipated holiday ahead of them. They couldn’t wait!
Death by Fright
The Fourth Alexandria Whitney Mystery By G. L. McCarthy While Alex and Sam are back at the ranch spending Christmas with Jessie and making arrangements to bring Smokey, Sam’s beloved Mustang, and her truck back they run into an angry spirit that even Anna and Ramon would rather not have to deal with.
Can they help the family, who has their life savings wrapped up in a house that wants them to go away forever, find a way to co-exist with the current occupant and live happily ever after? It will take all of them to try.
☺
Thank you for giving me a chance to entertain you for a little while. I hope you enjoyed But, Mercury’s Not In Retrograde! and will be looking forward to reading the next installment.
Other Alexandria Whitney Mysteries
Taylorwood
Thunder Mountain Ranch