Page 196 of The Cowbears of Curvy Bear Ranch

“What?” Carolasked.

“We found track marks inherarm.”

“Oh God,”shesaid.

“I’m guessing you didn’t know,” thedoctorsaid.

“I hadnoidea.”

“My guess is that she’s been using for some time. We’re running some tests to determine the drug, but I suspect methamphetamines,” thedoctorsaid.

“Meth?” Hank asked. He couldn’t believe she was doing such a dangerous drug. That would sure explain her irrational behavior towardCarol.

“Yeah. It’s a big problem up here. It’s too easy for people to cook it in remote places in the woods. As soon as law enforcement busts one meth lab, another springs up. It’s a damn shame,” thedoctorsaid.

“What can we do to help her?” Hankasked.

“After we get confirmation, we should start a methadone treatment program. It’s the safest way to detox frommethamphetamines.”

“Will it cure her?” Carolasked.

“No, but it will stop the biological addiction. The psychological addiction is a lot harder to contend with. I can recommend some good programs when we’re able to release her,”hesaid.

“Okay,” Carol said. “When can we goseeher?”

“They’re bringing her to a post-op room so we can monitor her. As soon as we confirm the drug, I’ll send the nurse in with the authorization forms to start the addiction treatment. I want to get her on it as soon as possible before the withdrawal symptoms get really bad. Good luck to you folks. If you need anything, ask one of the nurses to page me,” thedoctorsaid.

After he’d left the room, Carol slumped back into the chair. Hank sat next to her and held her in his arms. He brushed a gentle kiss across her head. If he ever saw Trevor again, he’d kill him. His bear was in full agreement, so much so that his claws started to pierce the tips of hisfingers.

Carol took his hands in hers and stroked them gently. She knew exactly what he needed because she was his mate. There was no other explanation for their overwhelming connection. He would have done anything in that moment to take away her pain. The fact that he couldn’t do anything but hold her crushedhissoul.

Chapter11

Carol kept strokingHank’s hands until his claws retracted. The last thing she needed was for his bear to come hurtling out. If the creature wanted to hunt Trevor down later and eat him alive, she’d have no problem with it. But right now, they needed to focus onhermom.

“I don’t know if I’m going to be able to help her,” she whispered. The waiting room was still empty, but fear kept her from saying it anylouder.

“Why?” Hankasked.

“She said she hated me and wished I hadn’t been born.” The words pierced her heart as sharply now as they did when her mom had firstspokenthem.

“I don’t think she meant that. Drugs make people irrational. She wasn’t the one talking to you. It wasthemeth.”

“I don’t have money for expensive treatments, and I’d have to move here. I’m not prepared for this. I can’t do it,” she said. The sheer enormity of what she’d have to dooverwhelmedher.

“I’ll help you,”hesaid.

“You’ve already donesomuch.”

“I’d do anything for you.” The concern in his eyes warmed herheart.

“I’ve never tried to get close to anyone before. I always thought people would abandon me, so I never tried,” sheconfessed.

“I won’t ever abandon you,” he said. “And once your mom gets clean, she won’t want to lose youeither.”

“How can you be so sure?” sheasked.

“Because my bear would take my head off if I let you leave.” He smiled. “And I’m sure that once your mom gets to know you, she’ll see the same qualities that I see in you. You’re a kind, generous, thoughtful, beautiful woman. Anyone who can’t see that is anidiot.”

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