by Scott, Laura
The paramedics arrived on scene and quickly took over the rescue breathing with an oxygen tank and Ambu bag. Samantha didn’t let up on her chest compressions as they made the switch.
“Are you all right there for a while longer?” one of the paramedics wanted to know.
She nodded. “I’m an emergency medicine resident working at Lifeline.”
The paramedic nodded, trusting her skills. Once they had the patient connected to the portable monitoring equipment, she stopped compressions so they could see the underlying rhythm. Seeing V-fib on the monitor, they shocked him. Once, twice, then a third time.
When those shocks didn’t convert him, one paramedic quickly placed a breathing tube while the other cut away the man’s pants from his thigh. Then he took a gun-like machine out of his bag and placed the tip firmly against the femur bone. He pulled the trigger, sending a needle directly into the center of the patient’s bone. While it looked barbaric, Sam knew that injecting medication via the intraosseous needle and into the bone was the quickest way to get medication into the patient’s system. They worked over him for another ten minutes, giving more meds and shocking again.
“He’s converted into sinus rhythm,” one paramedic noted. “Let’s get him into the bus.”
The paramedics didn’t waste a second but picked him up, plunked him onto a gurney and whisked him off, presumably to Trinity Medical Center. Samantha stood there, watching them drive away, feeling at a loss. Normally she would be on the receiving end of getting this patient from the field. Being the first responder on the scene felt extremely odd.
“You’re amazing.” Reese came up behind her and gently squeezed her shoulders. “You saved his life.”
“We saved his life,” she corrected, slanting him a look over her shoulder. The need to lose herself in Reese’s arms was strong, but she told herself not to be a wimp. “Thanks for your help. I really hope he makes it. At least he has youth on his side.”
“If he doesn’t make it, it’s not because we didn’t do our best,” Reese observed quietly. He slowly turned her so she was facing him. He reached up to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear.
“I know.” She tried to smile. But the intense expression in Reese’s dark eyes practically sent her heart into V-tach. Before she could think of protesting, he pulled her close.
“Samantha.” He didn’t try to kiss her but tucked her head into the hollow of his shoulder. “This time I think we both need a hug.”
She closed her eyes and inhaled the comforting scent of his spicy aftershave. He held her close, but not so hard that she felt as if she were suffocating. His chest was firm, muscular and yet oh so soft.
“Excuse me,” the strange voice interrupted them. “I need to ask you a few questions.”
Sam raised her head to find a Milwaukee police officer standing beside them. “Of course,” she responded.
Reese prevented her from breaking completely free of his embrace, tucking an arm over her shoulder so they could face the officer together.
“What can we do for you?” Sam asked.
“Did you see the car that hit him?”
Samantha slowly shook her head. “No, but I heard the screech of the tires and the double thumps as he was hit.”
“That’s what I was afraid of.” The cop glanced back over his shoulder at the road as if seeking answers there. “Only one woman saw a green car slam on the brakes and hit the jogger, but she didn’t get the make of the car or the number off the plates.”
From moment, Sam didn’t understand. “You mean, this was a hit-and-run?”
The officer’s expression was grim. “Yes, and we don’t have a clue to point us in the direction of the assailant.”
Samantha shivered despite the warmth of Reese’s arm around her shoulders. It was creepy to think that this man had been hit by a driver who had decided to flee the scene. It was one thing to know violence existed, she’d seen more than her fair share, but this struck a little too close to home.
She hoped and prayed that whoever had done this would turn themselves in.
8
Reese frowned and swept a glance around the area. “Someone must have seen something.”
“I hope so.” The cop’s tone did not sound overly optimistic. “If you remember anything, let me know.” He moved on to question the next person.
The cheerful, carefree atmosphere at the lakefront turned somber. Several strangers came up to express gratitude for the way they’d worked so hard to save the victim’s life. Reese finally drew Samantha away from the crowd, sensing her impatience with the attention.
“I was just doing my job,” she muttered under her breath. “You would think these people would understand that.”
“You were awesome,” Reese corrected softly. “And most of your average everyday citizens don’t see that kind of heroism in action except on television.”
“I guess.” She didn’t sound satisfied.
“Still hungry?” Reese doubted it, but his own stomach was rumbling like mad. When he’d heard the brakes squeal and the resounding thump, he’d left the food line to rush over and help. “I really gotta get something to eat.”
“Sure, we can order lunch.” Her tone lacked enthusiasm. This time, she stood in line beside him. They took their meal over to a large boulder overlooking the lake. The rippling blue water shimmered beneath the sun.
He noticed Samantha didn’t do more than pick at her Cajun chicken, but he figured a little nourishment was better than nothing. His appetite was indestructible, enabling him to devour his burger quickly.
The wind picked up, putting a definite chill in the air. He convinced her to walk through the rest of the ice sculpture displays, but even when the hot air balloon won first place, he could tell her heart wasn’t into celebrating.
Reese couldn’t blame her. He’d been impressed with her calm professionalism during their rescue efforts. She was the one in need of protecting, yet she willingly saved lives every day. Logically he knew her ex couldn’t have had anything to do with the hit-and-run accident, especially since the jogger hadn’t been anywhere near Samantha when he’d been hit. But the image of the guy bleeding in the street, his leg obviously broken, wouldn’t leave him alone. He didn’t want to think of what might happen if her ex turned his violence toward her.
“I think I’m ready to head home.” Samantha shivered and buried her face in the warmth of her coat. “The wind off the lake has gotten really chilly. The temperature feels as if it’s dropped twenty degrees.”
“Yeah, I know.” He glanced at his watch, then steered them in the direction of where he parked his truck. It wasn’t late, not yet five in the afternoon. “But it’s still early enough to get in touch with Vince. We might be able to pick up your car on the way home.” He couldn’t forget how annoyed she was with him earlier that morning. “If you were planning to pick it up today, that is,” he hastily added. “If not, that’s okay, too.”
“Yes, actually I was hoping to pick it up today.” She arched a brow at him. “I suppose you just happen to know exactly where Vince’s garage is, too, right?”
“Yeah.” He sent a cautious glance in her direction as he unlocked the truck. He felt as if you were walking through a minefield. With Samantha, he was quickly beginning to realize that offering to help resembled a cardinal sin. “Why, does that make you mad?”
“No.” She blew out her breath in exasperation. “I guess not. I left him a message this morning, but he hasn’t gotten back to me. I have his number in my phone so give me a minute to make the call.”
Reese listened to her one-sided conversation and was glad when it sounded as if Vince did indeed have her car running again.
“So we’re heading to Vince’s auto shop?” he asked when she’d disconnected from the call.
“Sure.” She stared out the windshield with a frown. “What’s with all the traffic?”
“The Bucks are playing at home tonight.” Something he should’ve thought of; they could have avoide
d much of the traffic by leaving a little earlier. He slanted her a glance. “Not much of a basketball fan?” he guessed.
She shrugged. “I don’t really have a lot of time for sports. Probably won’t until after I pass my boards.”
Over the past year at Lifeline, he’d learned the senior emergency medicine residents were scheduled to take their medical boards in June. It was only February now. “You’ve already started studying?”
“Well, they’re not something you can cram for.” Her dry humor made him smile.
“I guess not. I’m amazed you can concentrate at all with everything that’s going on in your personal life.” These issues with her ex had to be weighing on her shoulders. Didn’t her ex know this was an important time for her? Or did he just not care?
“I’m used to it.” She looked away, and he instinctively knew the subject was closed. Maybe she was used to it, but she shouldn’t have to be. Reese wished, more than anything, he could get Markowitz alone, just for a couple of minutes.
The traffic jam broke up after a few miles. He headed straight for Vince’s garage. Although it was difficult, he remained in the truck while she spoke with Vince, watching as they both poked their heads under the hood while Vince pointed out the items he’d fixed or replaced.
Reese wanted to see the damage to battery for himself. But if he got out and demanded Vince show him, Samantha would get upset that he was poking his nose into her business. Besides, after the earlier hit-and-run accident, he figured she didn’t need further reminders of violence.
She paid Vince, which frankly grated on his nerves, because he sensed she didn’t have cash to spare, then waved at Reese as she climbed into her car. He didn’t want the evening to end. His problem, of course, he acknowledged as he followed her home. When he pulled up and parked next to her, she shot him an exasperated glance. But that didn’t stop him from getting out of the car to meet up with her.
“You’re off duty now, Reese.” She slammed her car door with a little too much force. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
Reese shook his head. “I’m not volunteering for babysitting duty. Please, Samantha, I just want to walk you to your door.” And follow her inside. But he kept that thought to himself.
“What, no offer of dinner?” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m shocked.”
Since he had, in fact, been about to offer to order something in for dinner, he clamped his jaw shut. After a moment he said, “I just don’t understand how anyone can forget to eat.”
“I don’t forget, I just don’t have your metabolism,” she pointed out as she dug for her key. “Thanks for taking me to Winterfest.” She flashed a wry smile. “It certainly was an adventure.”
He wasn’t blind; the expression on her pretty face clearly indicated she wanted him to leave. Yet he had no intention of following her wishes. “All the way in, Samantha.”
For a moment he wondered if he’d pushed a little too hard. Safety wasn’t anything to take lightly. He knew only too well what carelessness could bring. Man, the woman could be stubborn when she wanted to be.
“Fine, come on in, then.” Annoyed, she used her key to open the apartment door. “Anyone ever tell you you’re persistent?”
“Me? Like you should talk.” He held the door, then followed her inside. “What’s the harm of me walking you in? I’m not about to jump your bones, although they are very lovely bones.”
Shocked, she gaped at him. “I never said you would.”
He kept his eyes wide, innocent. “Then what’s the problem?”
“You’re the problem.” Samantha used her key to unlock the door of her apartment and, much like the last time, she opened it wide so he could look inside. “See, everything is fine. Good night, Reese.”
“What’s that?” A white slip of paper caught his eye, partially hidden behind the door. He bent over, pulled it out, then straightened. Words were printed in large block letters. Come home, or you’re next.
“Oh no. Dennis.” Samantha paled, and Reese figured the only thing keeping her upright was the door at her back.
A red haze of anger blurred his vision. He blocked the fury with an effort. “This is an outright threat. You’re not staying here. I’m taking you to my place.”
“Forget it. I’m not leaving.” She looked like she might faint, but her tone was steady.
Incredulous, he stared at her. “You can’t be serious. Read this. Do you know what it means? You’re next? Next for what, Samantha? Another hit-and-run accident?”
There was a long silence as his words sank deep. Her eyes widened in horror. “He was at the lakefront today, wasn’t he? He must’ve seen the accident. He saw us together.” Samantha’s voice was hoarse.
Gentling his tone, he agreed. “Yes, so that’s why you need to come to my place with me. Do you want to pack a bag?”
“No, Reese.” Samantha was so pale her gray eyes looked like dark storm clouds in a sea of white. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but he’s not chasing me out of my home.”
“Then I’m not leaving.” He followed her inside the apartment, closing the door behind him.
“You’re not staying.”
He knew she’d argue. It seemed to be her favorite pastime. But he wasn’t budging an inch. “I am staying at least until you’ve reported this to the police.”
Relief flooded him when she seemingly ignored him but pulled out her phone to make the call. Reese scrubbed a hand along his jaw as Samantha spoke to the dispatcher. He hadn’t wanted the evening to end. But extending the time he could spend with her because of something like this wasn’t what he wanted either.
Safety, at least for Samantha, seemed more elusive than ever.
SAM WAS FREEZING. She wore a turtleneck sweater and the thermostat in her apartment was cranked to seventy-four degrees, but she was still cold.
She didn’t want to believe Dennis had followed her down to the lakefront. Why hadn’t she felt his presence? A shiver rippled through her. Maybe she hadn’t noticed because of Reese, but the notion didn’t make her feel any better. Dennis had been jealously possessive without the least bit of provocation on her part. They were divorced, but she could only imagine what had gone through his mind when he’d seen Reese walking beside her, holding her hand.
The dispatcher claimed two officers were on their way, but Samantha didn’t hold out much hope of the investigation actually showing some level of proof that Dennis was behind the note. Knowing Reese was probably hungry again, she offered to throw something together for dinner.
“Why don’t I just order out for pizza?” he suggested.
“Sure.” She lifted her shoulder. It didn’t matter what he ordered, food wasn’t high on her list of priorities at the moment.
The pizza arrived before the police did. Reese was annoyed with the fact, but Sam understood. Unfortunately, this was how the system worked. The threat wasn’t immediate. There was no need to rush.
When the officer arrived, she gestured to the note. Reese had picked it up, but she refused to touch it. She gave a brief description of how she and Reese had come home from Winterfest to find the note that had been apparently shoved beneath her apartment door.
“What time did you leave this morning?” the officer wanted to know.
She had no idea. With a raised brow, she glanced at Reese. “Close to nine thirty,” he responded.
The officer wanted to hear everything that had transpired throughout the day. Samantha condensed the events the best she could and explained about the restraining order. When the officer questioned her about the previous threats, Reese lost his temper.
“You should already know about the previous threats! Didn’t she just tell you about the restraining order? How many threats before you take this seriously? It’s no wonder you can’t find this guy.”
The officer wasn’t amused. “I am taking this seriously and will file a report. There isn’t much more we can do. A restraining order doesn’t necessarily mean anyth
ing without proof. We don’t have the manpower to follow Markowitz around everywhere he goes.” The officer turned his attention back to Samantha. “We can put a tap on your phone, drive by more often, and see if we can get a glimpse of him violating the agreement. That’s about all.”
Reese continued to mutter, but Samantha knew the officer was right. Unless they could prove Dennis had left the note, he wouldn’t be arrested.
Long after the officer had left and the pizza had been eaten, at least by Reese, Sam tried to send him home.
“I’d rather stay. Here, on the couch,” he hastily added when she opened her mouth to argue. “Seriously, Samantha, I don’t like the idea of you being here alone. Markowitz clearly knows where you live. What’s to stop him from coming back later tonight?”
“The door outside is locked.”
“Yeah, but that didn’t stop him from finding a way in before.”
All it would take was for Dennis to follow someone in who had a key, and they both knew it. She understood Reese was only being noble, and despite everything, she couldn’t deny she liked having him near. Still, now that Dennis knew about Reese, she was more worried than ever. What was to stop Dennis from switching his threats from her to Reese? Or the other staff at Lifeline?
“Reese, go home. I need some time alone. Please try to understand.”
Reluctantly, he stood. “I don’t understand, but I’ll go. Here’s my number.” He hastily scribbled it on a notepad. “Call me, no matter what time, I’ll come right over.”
“I will.” She forced a smile. “See you at work, Reese.”
When he brushed a quick kiss across her lips, it was all she could do to keep her hands at her sides, when she really wanted to grab him and hold on tight. He left, closing the door softly behind him.
Samantha double locked the door, then crossed over to her kitchen table and sank into a chair, burying her face in her hands.
She lied when she told Reese she’d see him at work. First thing Monday morning, she was going to meet with Dr. Jared O’Connor to request a reassignment.