The Perfect Gift. Lenora Worth

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СКАЧАТЬ closed one eye then slanted the other one toward that tiny voice. A miniature version of Fierce Man stared at her with big, solemn eyes.

      “What kind of boo-boo?” Goldie asked, not so sure she wanted an ambulance or an audience. “What happened?”

      “You’ve been in an accident,” the man recapped, shooing the little tyke out of the way. “You hit your head.”

      For a minute, Goldie just lay there staring at her surroundings. This was a nice enough place, but she had no idea how she’d wound up here. “Where am I?”

      “This is my house,” the man explained. “But don’t worry about that right now. Do you remember anything?”

      “No.” Goldie closed her eyes, hoping that would help the dizziness spiraling through her brain. “I don’t know.”

      “Did you walk here or drive maybe?”

      And then she remembered she’d been in a car. Images of that car swirling out of control rushed through her mind. “Yes. Yes. I was in a wreck on the road.” She took a deep breath to stop the nausea rising in her stomach. “I lost control and then my head hurt so much. I couldn’t find my phone so I got out of the car and I saw the light.”

      “You broke into our house,” came yet another male voice. A different one. This one was more pronounced and angry.

      “No, the door was open,” Goldie replied, deciding to look at Fierce Man instead of that accusing little person, whoever he was.

      The man glanced from Goldie to the boys huddled around her feet. “Did MeeMaw forget to lock the back door?”

      The bigger of the two boys shook his head then looked down at the floor. “No, sir. She told me to do it. I was the last one out. I thought I heard it click.”

      Goldie watched, triumphant because she’d told the truth and now so had the real culprit, as the man’s brooding frown changed to a look of complete understanding and forgiveness. “It’s okay, son. That old door sticks all the time. I need to see about making it more secure. That happens to me a lot, too.”

      Goldie thought that was the sweetest thing, the way this man was shouldering the blame for the malfunctioning back door. “I’m glad it wasn’t closed,” she remarked on a raw spasm of pain, hoping to ease the boy’s embarrassment. “I was so cold. And my head hurt a lot.”

      “So she didn’t break in,” the tiny one mouthed to the older one, obviously his brother since they looked almost identical. “You need to tell her you’re sorry.”

      “I thought she did,” the older one revealed, his hands fisting at his sides. “It looked that way.” He didn’t say he was sorry.

      “Okay, you two. Enough,” the man interceded in an authoritative voice. “Step aside and give the nice lady some space.”

      The boys backed away, their eyes curious and cute.

      “I’m so sorry,” Goldie apologized to the man. “I didn’t mean to pass out on your couch.”

      “You’re hurt,” he replied, cutting her the same slack he’d just allowed the boy who’d accidentally left the house unlocked. “Just lie still until we can get you some help.”

      “How long have I been out?”

      “I’m not sure,” the man answered. “We got home about fifteen minutes ago. Do you remember anything else?”

      She moved her head in an attempt to nod, but the pain stopped her. “My car hit a patch of ice and went sliding right into a tree. A big tree.”

      “Could have been worse,” the man theorized, surveying her. “I think you’re okay except for the bang on your head. Must have hit the steering wheel pretty hard.”

      “It’s all fuzzy,” she admitted. Then, in spite of her pain and her odd circumstances landing on his couch, she remembered her manners and said, “I’m Goldie Rios.”

      He smiled at that, sending out a radiant warmth that brought Goldie a sense of comfort and security. “I’m Rory Branagan and these are my sons, Tyler and Sam.”

      “I’m Tyler,” the little one added, grinning.

      Sam didn’t say anything. He seemed downright sad as he stared at her. Sad and a bit distrustful. How could she blame him? He’d come home to find a strange woman bleeding on his furniture.

      “It’s good to meet all of you,” Goldie responded. “And thanks for being so kind to me.”

      Rory’s soft smile shined again, making Goldie wonder if she might yet be dreaming. This man was a sensitive father. And probably a considerate husband. And for some reason that her hurting brain couldn’t quite figure out, that bothered Goldie. Trying to think, she realized she couldn’t remember much but the accident. Where had she been? And where was she headed?

      The sound of a siren broke Rory’s smile and brought Goldie out of her pounding thoughts. He jumped up and went into action while she blinked and closed her eyes. “I think your ride is here.” Then he glanced at his sons. “And so is a patrol car. You’ll need to give the police a report, nothing to worry about.”

      Goldie could tell he’d added that last bit for the benefit of his sons, since their eyes grew even wider. The little one showed excitement, but the older boy’s eyes held a dark, brooding anger.

      If her head hadn’t hurt so much, Goldie might have been able to figure that one out. And get to know Not-so-fierce Man a little better. She was certainly content to stay right here in the light of that great smile. But she was in pain, no doubt. And although she wasn’t sure if she needed to go to the hospital, she didn’t have much choice. Her car was probably totaled and she was too dizzy to stand up. Then, in a clear and concise image in her mind, she remembered her grandmother.

      “I need to let Grammy know,” she noted. “My grandmother.”

      “Sure. What’s her number?” Rory replied. “I’ll call her right now.”

      Goldie rattled off the numbers, glad her brain was beginning to cooperate. “Her name is Ruth Rios.”

      Rory let out a chuckle. “You don’t say? I should have made the connection when you told me your name. I know Miss Ruth. She goes to my church. So you’re her granddaughter?”

      Goldie nodded. “I just came here a few weeks ago to help her out. She’s been recovering from hip surgery.”

      “Yeah, we heard that and since she hasn’t been to church in a while…I’m sure sorry.” He gave her an apologetic look. “I should have gone by to see her.”

      “She’s doing better,” Goldie informed him. “But I know she’s worried since I’m not home yet. I was supposed to be there hours ago.”

      “I’ll call her, I promise,” Rory reiterated as the paramedics knocked on the door, followed by one of the three police officers serving Viola.

      Goldie nodded, her mind whirling with pain and confusion. “Don’t let her get out in this weather. She doesn’t need to come to the hospital.” After СКАЧАТЬ