Fangs But No Fangs. Kathy Love

neighbor shifted in his seat, looking decidedly annoyed. He leaned forward to glare at the clerk. Busy typing on her computer, she didn’t notice him. He sat back only to look again seconds later.

      “Are you doing all right?” he asked.

      Her head felt like it was pulsating noticeably. “I just want to go home.”

      He stood up, taking the clipboard from where she’d placed it in the chair next to her, and strode to the woman.

      He handed the board to her without so much as a word, although Jolee was certain the woman received one of his lofty looks. Not pleasant, as she could attest to.

      He came back and took the seat beside her. More time and more impatient movements from her companion, then the woman appeared.

      “You don’t have insurance,” she stated as though Jolee didn’t know.

      “No, I don’t.”

      The woman frowned. “You will need to pay before you leave tonight.”

      Jolee nodded and started to lever herself slowly out of the chair. “I figured. Thanks.”

      Her neighbor stood and reached in his pants pocket. He pulled out a black leather wallet with a small designer emblem on the edge. He flipped it open. “I have plenty of money.”

      Jolee saw several cards flick by. Gold, platinum, even blue. All that appeared to be missing was Diners Club™.

      “Now can she see a doctor?” he asked impatiently.

      The clerk nodded, and disappeared through the swinging doors that led into the ER.

      Jolee stared at him as he put the wallet back in his pocket.

      “I can’t take your money.” She couldn’t owe any money. Especially to this man.

      “Of course you can. I’m the one who nearly hit you. I insist on paying for your treatment.”

      He did have a point. She supposed his gesture was the right one. She’d insist on paying for anyone she hurt, too, that was if she had any money. Thank God she hadn’t almost hit him. He’d be in real trouble.

      But she wanted to make sure he understood this made them even. “If you pay, I don’t owe you anything in return.”

      He frowned, then comprehension dawned in his eyes. “Certainly not.”

      She immediately felt stupid. Of course this man wouldn’t expect anything else from her. But not because he respected her. Not because he saw her as an equal, but probably because he found her to be unattractive. She told herself that didn’t matter to her, but it did sting a little.

      Lord, she must be mad. There she sat, hurting, exhausted, and she was upset because this guy didn’t find her attractive.

      The clerk reappeared, followed by another woman in a white coat. The new woman held the door open and offered a polite smile. “The doctor will see you now.”

      “About time,” her neighbor muttered.

      Jolee couldn’t agree more. She wanted this over and to go home. And to avoid her neighbor from now on.

      Chapter 5

      After much poking and prodding, Dr. Williams, a woman in her fifties with pretty white-gray hair and a no-nonsense manner, told Jolee what she’d already guessed.

      “You have a few cuts and bruises. Your shoulder is going to be pretty sore for the next few days. The scrape on your arm is large but not terribly deep. It should be kept bandaged, though. Other than that, it doesn’t require any special attention. And you have a pretty sizable goose egg on your head.”

      The doctor scribbled some notes on her clipboard. “Really, there isn’t much I can offer you except some Motrin and rest.”

      Jolee nodded. She wanted to rest. Her eyelids felt like they had weights attached to them. “Rest sounds wonderful.”

      “Do you have anyone to stay with you tonight?”

      Jolee hesitated.

      “I think it’s wise to have someone with you for at least tonight. You have a concussion, and while I don’t think it’s severe enough to require a hospital stay, I do think you should have someone around in case you suffer vertigo or nausea. In which case, I’d want you to return to the hospital immediately.”

      “Yes, I do,” Jolee assured the doctor. “I have someone.”

      The doctor nodded, then wrote something else on her clipboard. Probably that Jolee was a liar. She was sure the doctor knew—she was possibly the worst liar on the planet.

      “Okay, well, since it’s so late, I’m going to have the nurse give you some of the ibuprofen to take with you tonight. I’ll also include some bandages and antibacterial ointment, and a list of things to watch out for with a concussion.”

      Jolee offered her thanks to the doctor, and once the woman left, she proceeded to dress. She winced as she wrestled her T-shirt back on. Carrying trays and reaching for bottles on the upper shelves at the bar was going to be a challenge, but at least the injuries weren’t any worse. She’d be able to work. That was a blessing.

      She finished straightening her clothes and eased off the table, the white paper under her bottom crinkling loudly. As she stepped out into the room, she saw the nurse who’d brought her back to the doctor was at her station. She was on the phone, but she waved to Jolee to acknowledge that she saw her. She gestured for Jolee to go back to the waiting room.

      Jolee stepped through the swinging door, and her neighbor stood up.

      “Are you okay?”

      “Fine,” she said, “nothing that time and rest won’t cure.” She couldn’t help adding, “Just like I told you.”

      He didn’t acknowledge her peevish tone, but before he could question her further, the nurse arrived.

      “Here are your supplies.” She held out a small white paper bag. “And here is the list of symptoms to watch for if your concussion worsens.”

      The nurse then looked to her neighbor. “Will you be the one watching her tonight?”

      “Yes,” he said.

      “No,” Jolee stated at the same time.

      The nurse looked back and forth between the two. Finally her confused gaze landed on Jolee. “You do have someone to stay with you, at least for tonight, don’t you?”

      “Yes,” Jolee said quickly, adamantly. “Yes, of course, I do.”

      The nurse gave her a searching look. Again Jolee was sure her horrible lying skills had given her away.

      “Okay,” the nurse finally said. “Good. And feel better.”

      “I will. Thank you.” Jolee clutched the items the nurse had given her like a victory medal. She just wanted out of here.

      Then the clerk appeared. “I have the bill waiting for you.”

      Jolee really didn’t want to hear the total. She felt guilty that this man had to pay—even though he was the one who nearly ran her down, and despite the fact he could obviously afford it. Or at least could have afforded it at one time. Who knew what the state of his finances was now? He did live in a rusty old trailer across from the most broke woman in the known universe. Odds were, he wasn’t any too solvent. But he didn’t hesitate; he followed the woman back to her desk. Jolee, wimp that she was, remained in the waiting area.

      In a few minutes, he returned, looking unfazed by whatever the bill had been. But his expressions were hard to read, so she couldn’t be sure how he felt about the cost.

      “You’d be an ace at poker,” she said, falling into step beside him to retrace their path back to his car.

      “Why