Knowing there was another call she had to make, she dialed the familiar number. It was answered on the third ring. “Hello?"
"Morning, Aunt Verna."
"Cyndi. I was just thinking about you."
The love and caring in the older woman's voice was too much for her. Cyndi burst into tears. Between sobs, she poured out the entire story from start to finish. Verna listened and when Cyndi was done, she took action. “I'll be there by this evening."
Cyndi sniffed, swiping at her face with her hands. Her eyes were swollen and she had a splitting headache. “There's really nothing you can do."
"I can be with you."
"Thank you.” She gave a tearful laugh. “I can always depend on you."
And don't you forget it.” Her voice softened. “Once Shamus regains consciousness, he'll ask for you. Don't worry."
"I'm not,” she lied because, truthfully, she was worried. Maybe this would be too much for him to handle and she truly wouldn't blame him if it was. But deep inside, she prayed her aunt was right.
"See you soon,” her aunt promised.
When the call ended, Cyndi tossed her phone aside. She needed a bath desperately, but she was so tired. Promising herself she'd just close her eyes for a second, she stretched out on the mattress, grabbed Shamus's pillow and cuddled into it.
His heady, masculine scent was still there and she snuggled tighter as tears leaked from the corners of her eyes. The last thing she remembered was telling herself she needed to get up.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Cyndi! Shamus came awake in a rush and groaned as pain rocketed through his left shoulder and down his arm. A soft, soothing voice urged him to relax and take a deep breath.
"Cyndi?” he gasped, prying his eyes open.
"No.” His sister's voice was gentle as she helped him lie back down. “You were shot and had surgery. The doctor removed the bullet, and you're going to be fine. You can go home with us in a few days if there are no complications."
Shamus frowned. “Where's Cyndi?"
"I don't know."
"What do you mean, you don't know?” Memories of last night flooded back at him. “She's in danger and no one knows where the hell she is?"
Dani flinched at the loud tone of his voice, but continued to tuck the covers around him. “She wasn't my concern last night. You were.” Thinking for a moment, she added, “I'm sure she's fine."
A soft knock came on the door and a nurse poked her head inside the room. He recognized her as Arthur and Silas Johnson's sister. He'd forgotten that she was a nurse.
Shamus took a deep breath, momentarily ignoring the other woman. It helped ease the pain and calm his temper as he addressed his sister. “I understand. But surely Patrick didn't just let her leave."
"If you're talking about Cyndi, she left when no one was paying any attention.” The nurse pushed the door open and stepped into the room. “Right after the doctor spoke to the family and informed them that only family could see you.” She glanced at Dani and back at Shamus. “She was very worried about you though. Even when she was being treated herself, she kept asking about you."
"Cyndi was hurt?” Shamus struggled to sit up again. Sweat broke out on his brow.
The nurse came over and adjusted the bed, enabling him to semi-sit. “Apparently a bullet grazed her arm. One of the paramedics was worried about her when she practically collapsed. When we checked her out, we realized that she'd been wounded. The doctor took care of it and it wasn't serious enough to admit her.” She glanced over at Dani again. “She really needed someone to stay with her, but she said there was no one she could call."
"But she's okay.” Worry burned in his gut like acid. While he was flat on his back in hospital, Cyndi was out there all alone.
"Yes, she's fine. She'll be sore for awhile, but she'll heal."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome.” The nurse smiled at him. “I'm just going off shift now, but I'm back on in a couple days. If you're still here, I'll check on you again then.” She left the room as quietly as she'd come.
"Where's Patrick?” Shamus pinned his sister with a laser glare. He felt incredibly weak, but the adrenaline coursing through his system was giving him a boost.
"I'm not sure. He was here for a long time, but then he left. Why?"
"Because someone needs to keep an eye on Cyndi. She shouldn't be alone.” He let the statement hang in the air.
Dani sighed and scrubbed her face with her hands. “I'm sorry, okay? But when they told me you'd been shot...” She bit her lip and turned away.
Shamus hated seeing tears in his sister's eyes. “Hey.” He waited until she turned back to face him. “It's okay. I do understand. But you have to understand something, too. Cyndi is important to me and that's not going to change.” His shoulder ached like a son of a bitch, so he took a couple of deep breaths.
"I'm beginning to believe that.” Dani shook her head as she walked over to his side and rested her hand on his forearm. “I'll try. That's all I can promise."
"That's all I can ask."
The door shoved open and his older brother strode in. “I passed a nurse in the hall who said you were looking for me.” Shamus realized the nurse must have overheard his question to Dani on her way out the door. He had to remember to find her and thank her when this was over.
"Cyndi was hurt and she's out there somewhere by herself."
Patrick dragged a hand though his hair and huffed out a breath. There were dark circles beneath his steady, gray eyes. Patrick looked tired. Shamus realized then that he'd probably been up all night long. “Yeah, she left the hospital when I wasn't looking. No, I wasn't paying attention. I didn't think she'd leave."
"She knew she couldn't get in to see me,” Shamus pointed out.
Patrick nodded, but made no apology. “Right now, she's at the Jamesville Motel. She stopped by the station and gave her statement before she headed home. One of my men said that when she dropped by the house to get some belongings, he overheard her say she was going to the motel. I've got a man watching her room."
"Good,” Shamus sighed, allowing his eyes to close for a brief moment. His shoulder was throbbing worse than a toothache.
"Are you all right?” He felt his sister's hand against his forehead and opened his eyes again.
"Yeah.” He gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “I'll be up and around before you know it."
"But not too fast.” He could see the strain on her face. Patrick had been shot a little over a year ago and he knew this was churning up all those memories for his sister.
"Not too fast,” he promised. At least not as far as he was concerned. “Why don't you go home and get some rest? You look exhausted."
"It's been a long night.” She glanced over at Patrick.
He answered his sister's unasked question. “I'll stay with him for a while."
Shamus chuckled. “I don't need a babysitter."
"I just don't want you to be alone.” She brushed a lock of hair out of his face and leaned down to kiss his forehead.
"You okay to drive?” Patrick asked.
Dani grabbed her jacket and purse from the chair. “Perfectly. I'll be back in a few hours."
"Get some rest,” Shamus admonished his sister.
"Only if you do the same,” she countered. He nodded and she came over to the bed and stroked his good arm. Sighing, she turned and gave Patrick a hug before leaving the room.
Shamus pinned his brother with a glare. “I need to get out of here. Now."
Cyndi opened one eye and blinked. The sun was streaming in through the window, practically blinding her. She started to roll over and realized that she was still fully dressed. The events of the past night slammed into her and she groaned, flinging an arm over her head. She moaned in pain as her arm began to throb, a vivid reminder of the fact that she'd been injured.