Page 41 of Gotta Dig Deep
“Still no questions in there.” Glenna preceded him into the living room and dropped to her knees next to the man, her fingers automatically seeking out the important pulse points that would tell her the repair was still holding. “He’s doing good.”
“He’s a big’un.” Cooter walked around the corner of the couch but held his distance, coming to a stop a few feet away. “How the hell’d you get him in here?”
“I managed.” She’d never admit how exhausted she still was from the efforts it had taken. “Come down here, let me show you what I did.”
“I can see well enough from here, thanks.” Cooter made a scoffing sound, and she glanced up at him, surprised to find him still wary. “If he wakes up and you’re right there, man this size could put a hurtin’ on you.”
No he won’t. Not like Jackson Snyder would.
Licking her lips, Glenna tried again. “He’s not going to hurt you, Cooter. And if he does wake, there’s plenty of room to ease back.”
“How long did you have the belt on his leg?”
“Just from the corner to here. Eight or nine minutes total, I think.”Finally, questions I can answer.“When I saw how he was bleeding, I wasn’t sure if it was arterial or not. It wasn’t.”
“What gouged the hole in him?”
“The brake handle, I think. When I looked it over quick, it had a tiny swatch of jean material on it. Probably when he went through the fence.”
“You fixed the break in the fencing? I saw it had been patched up.”
“Yeah, while he pulled the bike out of the pasture. That was before I realized he was really hurt. It’s a temporary job. I’ll deal with it better later.”
“This man should be in an ER, Glenna. Probably needs a tetanus shot, and some stout antibiotics. The kind of stuff I can’t do for him.” Cooter finally edged closer, squatting down next to where Glenna knelt. “Toes are nice and pink, so I think you fixed his circulation issue without making things worse.” He ran a hand under the man’s untucked shirt, lifting it to look at his belly. “No bruising on his torso, so probably no issues with internal bruising. Did you check his back?”
“Yeah.” She nodded and stretched out a hand, restoring the man’s shirt so it covered him. “No bruising there either. He didn’t have any grass in his hair, so I’m guessing he didn’t hit that on his way down.”
“Well, all told, he fared better than I’d have expected after seeing the condition of the bike. Did he call anyone, or tell you anything? His name?”
“Nope, but he’ll wake up soon, right?”
“Should, unless he was runnin’ on empty before the wreck. His body will take its time, I’m sure.” Cooter pulled the man’s other boot off, setting it beside the blood-soaked one on the floor. “Let’s get him on the couch.”
“I’ll put a sheet down first. Give me a second.” Glenna hurried to the hallway closet, returning with an armful of covers. Cooter helped her spread the sheet over the couch, awkwardly following her lead to tuck his half of the fabric under the cushions. “Thanks.”
Cooter positioned himself at the man’s shoulders, and Glenna hooked a leg under each arm. Between them they lifted him smoothly, setting him gently on the couch. The man groaned lowly and shifted to one side, farther from the drop to the floor, then lapsed into silence again.
“You call the sheriff?” When Glenna shook her head, Cooter gave her the exasperated look she’d become so familiar with over the past year or so. “Why ever not, Glenna? The man’s probably got family who’ll be worried about him.”
“No ring.” She shrugged quickly. “It’s a no-fault accident, so it’s not like I’m helpin’ him break any laws.”
“That you know of.” Cooter opened his kit, pulling out bandages and gauze, ointment, and other things he would know she didn’t have. “He’s a biker type. They’re all outlaws.”
“That’s a sweeping statement.” Gathering up the items as Cooter laid them out, Glenna dropped them into a nearby basket. “I don’t know what I’m—there’s just something about him. Once he can tell me what he needs, I’ll be sure to help him with whatever it is. But right now, knowing he’s here—” She lifted a shoulder, nodding towards the couch. “—it feels right. Don’t ask me to explain it, because I can’t.”
With a heavy sigh, he finished handing her gauze and closed the latches on his box. “You can’t explain it, but you’ve got a pressing need to have him here where you can look after him.” He looked at her from under his bunched brows. “I don’t understand it, but I’ll respect whatever this is.”
A spiral of tension in her chest unspooled slowly. “Thanks, Cooter. Thanks much.”
“He’ll sleep for a bit yet. Want to run me back to Daddy’s now?”
“Sure. Sure.” She stood and offered Cooter a hand, which he ignored, pushing to his feet with a laugh. Glenna felt her lips twist and concentrated on smoothing out her smile. “I’ll leave Shammy here.”
“He won’t kill the guy, will he?” Cooter hadn’t liked the dog when Glenna had gotten him, but he and the animal had come to an agreement a while ago. They simply ignored each other when possible.
“No, he’ll be fine.” Glenna led Cooter outside to where the truck was parked.
He walked to the driver door and paused, then laughed. “Habit.”
