Fiona patted her back. “I’ll tell Dave I was the one who stabbed that jerk.”
Camry straightened. “You will not. If the authorities find out your age, then Davewill get in trouble.” She suddenly smiled. “Unless you want your parents to get a call from the police, telling them their missing daughter is sitting in jail. Just think of the lecture dear old Daddy’s going to give you then. You won’t see daylight for years.”
“What do you mean, missing daughter?” Luke asked, his gaze darting between Cam and Fiona. He finally settled on Fiona. “Did you run away from home or something?”
“Or something,” Fiona said.
Luke’s gaze snapped to Camry. “You knowshe’s a runaway, and you haven’t done anything about it?”
“I suppose I could have left her on the beach. Or let her hitchhike to Portland so she could stay at a homeless shelter.”
Luke reached in his pocket, pulled out his cell phone, and handed it to Fiona. “You have to call your parents right this minute, young lady. They must be worried sick about you!”
Camry couldn’t believe how dense the guy was.
But even more, she couldn’t believe that Fiona actually took the phone, flipped it open, and started pushing buttons.
Her mouth gaping in shock, Cam blinked at Luke.
He shot her a smug smile. “Apparently she responds to maleauthority.”
Fiona suddenly handed the phone back to Luke.
“You didn’t call them!”
“I will. Eventually.” She gave him an equally smug smile. “But I did add Camry’s number to your phone list. Just in case you want to call her, seeing as how you’re going to be here for a while and don’t know anyone.”
Luke looked down at his phone. He started pushing buttons with his thumb, his eyes suddenly widened, and he snapped his gaze back to Camry.
Cam held out her hand. “Give me that.”
He flipped the phone closed and shoved it in his pocket.
“I’m changing my number first thing tomorrow.”
“Okay, the cops and the ambulance are here,” Dave said, walking over. “Folks,” he said to the dining room of stunned patrons. “I’m sorry for the disturbance. If you stop at the counter on your way out, my staff will give you vouchers for a free meal. First, though, I believe the police wish to speak with each of you before you leave. You all come visit the Go Back Grill again, okay? And bring your friends!”
He crouched down in front of Camry. “Christ, Cam, that’s one hell of a shiner you got there.” He scowled at her ankle. “And you need to get that foot X-rayed. The ambulance will take you in, and you just tell them to bill me.”
“All I need is an ice pack, because it’s only sprained. And I am not riding in an ambulance. They’re for people having heart attacks or bleeding to death.”
His scowl darkened. “Don’t make me use my boss voice,” he said, dismissing her by turning to Luke and holding out his hand. “Dave Bean, Mr. . . . ?”
“Pascal,” Luke said, taking his hand. “Luke Pascal.”
“I’m sorry, Luke, that you got caught up in this mess. But I did see you come to our little girl’s rescue,” he said, nodding toward Fiona, “and I thank you. Most people aren’t so quick to get involved in other people’s business.”
Luke shrugged. “I have a kid sister about the same age as Fiona.”
“Food’s on the house for as long as you’re in town, Luke.” Dave looked at Luke’s bleeding cut, and the way he was cradling his ribs. “You go with Cam in the ambulance and let them check you out at the hospital. That cut might need stitches, and you might have some cracked ribs. I’ll cover the medical bills.”
He turned back to Camry. “You did good, kiddo. Don’t worry about anyone pressing any charges. By the time I’m done with those four, they’ll wish they’d driven straight through town.” He flushed and awkwardly patted her shoulder. “You take as much time off as you need to get back on your feet. You want me to call anyone? Your family, maybe?”
“No!” Camry said a bit more emphatically than she’d meant to, causing Dave to flinch. “I mean, thanks, but I’m really not hurt that badly.” She smiled over at Fiona. “And I happen to have a roommate at the moment, who can wait on me hand and foot for a few days.”
Two EMTs came over, wheeling a gurney. One of the men crouched down in front of Luke and pointed a tiny flashlight in his eyes. The other one did the same to Camry. He must have decided she was going to live, because he grinned at her. “Can you hop up on the gurney yourself, or are you willing to risk being dropped if I go weak in the knees when I pick you up?”
“I want to change into my jeans and sweater before I go anywhere.”
“Why? They’re just going to take everything back off you at the hospital.” He scanned his gaze over her costume, then grinned at her again. “What you’re wearing is just lovely. And anyway, Doc Griswell’s working the ER tonight, and he’s got a thing for legs—I mean ankles. I bet he puts you ahead of the stab wound and facial cut.”
Camry made an effort to stand, but the ruggedly built EMT suddenly lifted her in his arms, stood up, and set her on the gurney. “It’s a good thing you didn’t crack a smile,” he said dryly, spreading a blanket over her, “or I really would have gone weak in the knees.”
“Fiona, why don’t you go get Camry’s purse and clothes,” Luke suggested as soon as his EMT helped him to his feet. “And you can ride in the ambulance with her. I’ll follow in my car so I can bring you both home after.”
“We’ll take a taxi back,” Camry told him, holding the blanket up to her chest. She looked at Luke’s EMT. “He shouldn’t be driving, should he?”
“No.”
Camry finally found her smile, and she made sure it was damn smug. Fiona might have put the idea in Luke’s head that she might welcome his attention by giving him her number, but she’d be damned if she was entertaining some bored tourist on sabbatical.
“I’d offer to drive you home from the hospital,” Dave said, walking over to the gurney. He waved toward the police talking to people lined up to get their vouchers. “But I’m afraid I’m going to be tied up here until the wee hours.” He stepped closer. “Wipe that smirk off your face, MacKeage. The guy did rescue our little girl, after all,” he whispered.
“I don’t like pushy men,” she whispered back. “And I sure as hell don’t want to encourage them by being nice.”
Dave snorted. “I can see that’s been working well for you.”
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Chapter Six
Camry woke up to a wet tongue slobbering in her ear, but wasn’t alarmed because she recognized Max’s doggie breath. She rolled away with a groan, unwilling to open her eyes for fear of increasing the throbbing in her temple.
That is, until she rolled into a body that wasn’t canine. She sat up with a start, grabbed her head to keep it from splitting wide open, and fell back against the pillow with an even louder groan.
“What is licking my face?” Luke Pascal rasped from beside her. “I know it’s not your tongue, MacKeage, because it’s way too friendly.”
“That’s Ruffles,” she muttered. “And she’s a shameless hussy. Is there a reason you’re in my bed, Pascal? Not that it matters, because if you’re not out of it in two seconds, I’m going to blacken your other eye.”