Page 6 of Two Risks I'd Never Take Again

“He was on the side of the road. I found him like that. I’ve already told this to multiple people.” I crossed my arms and tried to keep my voice even.

“Did he say anything to you?”

“He just moaned a lot. I tried to figure out his name, but he may have been too hurt to understand because he signaled on X, and then tapped no when I asked if his name was Xavier or Xander. What other X names are there?”

“Tapped no?” The deputy scribbled in a tiny notebook.

“One for yes. Two for no. Isn’t that like some universal code?” I glanced toward the double doors. “Can I see him?”

With a furrowed brow, the deputy looked up from his notes. “I thought you didn’t know him.”

“I didn’t. Don’t. Maybe. Whatever. But after rolling around in the mud together, we sort of have a bond. I need to know that he’ll be okay.” I wouldn’t be able to sleep until I knew he’d survive, and trying to explain to the deputy that the man looked familiar would only use up perfectly good air.

Deputy Gomez surveyed my outfit. “The mud?”

“I changed.” I gave a shrug, not interested in explaining how I’d managed to get the stranger on his feet. “I was driving home from my parents’ house—because it’s Thanksgiving—and I spilled coffee on myself thanks to an animal that ran across the road. I pulled over to wipe my face, and that’s when I spotted the guy. My phone was dead so I couldn’t call anyone. It’s cold outside, and he doesn’t even have a jacket, so I loaded him into my car and drove him here.” I sighed when I finished. “That’s what happened.”

He tapped the pen against the little notepad. “So... you maybe don’t know him but loaded him into your car and brought him here. And now you’re waiting for... what?”

“I slammed on my brakes to avoid hitting a small fuzzy animal. Do you think I’d just drive away and leave an actual person on the side of the road? As to why I’m waiting... do you only read half a mystery? I’d like to know if he’s going to be okay and maybe find out what happened.”

“Picking up a stranger was risky.”

“You sound like my cousin.”

“Who’s your cousin?”

Lightbulbs went off in my head before I made my situation worse. “Doesn’t matter.”

A nurse with silver hair and an efficient smile walked out of the double doors, headed straight for me. “Miss.”

“Yes?” I stepped around the deputy.

“He’s asking for you.” She hooked a thumb over her shoulder.

I picked up my purse and phone. “He’s talking?”

“Trying to. But he keeps pointing this direction. It wasn’t hard to figure out what he wants. And, Deputy Gomez, just let me know if you need to talk to the patient again.”

“Thanks.” The deputy put his hand on my arm. “I need to get your name and a contact number. And if you think of anything else that might help, please call me.” He held out a card.

I gave him my info, then followed the nurse to the back.

She pulled aside a curtain and motioned for me to go in. “I pulled a chair in for you.”

Pillows were tucked in around the guy’s head, and the top of the bed was lifted. He was bare chested, but a sheet covered his lower half. A brace was on one hand and the other was wrapped in bandages. Only his thumb stuck out the side of the brace. The other hand was completely wrapped.

He looked horrible.

I flashed a smile, determined to be a bright spot if possible. “Hey there, Mr. X.” I froze as my own words bounced around in my head.

Last month, I’d called a guy Mr. X after I’d turned him down for a date. I’d emphatically told him that I couldn’t know his name. He’d met with Eli and was probably part of some surprise for Delaney that Eli was cooking up. I’d told him I didn’t want to know because if Delaney asked me about anything, I couldn’t lie convincingly.

The guy in the doughnut shop that day had been strikingly handsome. Fan-myself-and-sigh kind of handsome.

I blinked after staring at him too long. “I’ve met you, haven’t I?”

His thumb tapped the bed once.

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