Town of Chance 5:Sweet Caroline(32)

“Of course. He’ll be just a few more minutes with his other patient. Can I see your insurance card?” she asked.

“I don’t have insurance, I’ll be paying for it.”

“A credit card?” she asked.

“No, cash,” Caroline replied and could tell by the receptionist’s facial expression that she was suspicious.

“You can fill out these forms and have a seat while you wait,” she told her and Caroline nodded her head.

She swallowed hard and felt her heart racing. As she went to sit down, she dropped the pen. Hunter retrieved it for her and then handed it to her as he eased real close.

“Don’t be scared. You’re safe here. People come from all over to see this doctor, he’s that great,” he said and she nodded, couldn’t help but inhale his cologne but she was panicked. She couldn’t fill out these forms. She couldn’t let Hunter stay here.

She kept the pen on the first line and began to fill in her name. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t put her real name and she couldn’t lie with Hunter right here next to her. She glanced to her right and took in the sight of his close proximity and thick, jean-covered thighs. She noticed a few of the women looking at him and smiling, but he kept a straight face and then he placed his arm over the back of her chair as if he were stretching.

“You okay?” he whispered. She looked up, her heart racing, tears filling her eyes. She couldn’t lie to him. She couldn’t be mean to him. She swallowed hard and nodded.

I have to be. No one can know the truth or Cameron will find me.

“You know what? I think I changed my mind. I’m not feeling well,” she said. He squinted at her and he placed his hand on her knee. She tightened up.

“Don’t be scared. I’m here for you,” he said, confusing her, making her heart lift with excitement, hope, something that she prayed, suddenly wished with all her might could be true, but it couldn’t be. Men could not be trusted. He couldn’t be or he could hurt her worse than Cameron.

“Caroline, the doctor is ready to see you,” the nurse said and she looked at her and then at Hunter, who gave a firm, yet soft smile.

“Come on. You’ll feel better to have that thing off your arm.

She couldn’t let him go in there with her. She was about to tell him as they walked together and when she turned to tell him to stay the doctor came out of the room.

“Hunter. How are you?” he asked and reached out to shake his hand.

“Good to see ya, Doc.”

The doctor looked from Caroline to Hunter and then smiled. “You two know one another?” he asked.

“Not really,” Caroline said and Hunter spoke at the same time.

“Yes, we’re friends, and I came here to be supportive while she gets this cast off.”

“Well that’s great. Come on in and we’ll take good care of you, Caroline.”

She felt like she might pass out. Her head felt funny. She was in such a panic and she could barely focus on the two men as they entered a medium-size room. She could see a set of different tools on the tray next to the chair.

“Well, I’m Dr. Anders and it’s a pleasure to meet you today, Caroline. Did you get a chance to fill out the paperwork and medical history?” he asked and she shook her head. She had always taken care of her own injuries but the broken arm was medically necessary. She remembered Cameron kicking her so hard once that she thought her ribs were broken. She couldn’t go to the emergency room to find out or they would ask how she got them. If she told the truth they would call the police and more than likely they would want her to press charges. Cameron knew people. They would get him off and she would suffer a worse beating.

“Caroline, you feeling okay?” Hunter asked her as he covered her hand with his. She pulled back and held it against her chest.

“I’m fine. You don’t need to be here,” she snapped at him.

“I think I do,” he said to her, holding her gaze.

The doctor cleared his throat.

“So, you said your other doctor that casted this told you six to eight weeks?” Dr. Anders asked.

“Yes, and it’s been eight. So can you take it off now?” she asked him.

He smiled. “Just a few questions. Any medical history I need to know about? Any illnesses, other broken bones, any medication you take on a daily basis?”

“No. I’m good and healthy, just clumsy,” she said and he gave a half smile. She felt so damn nervous.

“Well then, when we’re finished I’ll need you to fill out the paperwork so we can place everything in the system. Let’s get started.”