Page 22 of A Ranger for Christmas
“Odd that they’d make it to my room.”
“Worry about getting better. What do you remember about the accident?”
She raised her fingertips to the bruise on her face. A slight touch made her wince. “After putting the presents in the car, my memory goes blank. What day is it?”
“Monday.”
“What happened to Sunday?”
“You slept through it.”
As tempted as she was to lie back and close her eyes, she didn’t. Instead, she swung her legs over the side of the bed. “Kyle, I have to get out of here.”
“You really shouldn’t be going anywhere.”
“You just said all I really need is rest.”
“You should be resting in a hospital.”
She pulled back the top blanket. “I can rest anywhere.”
Kyle rose, clearly surprised. “Why are you so determined to leave?”
“There’s something I have to do.”
“What? You have no work until mid-January, and you said last week in an e-mail that you planned to kick back over the holidays.”
She stared at the mangled presents. As she studied the packages closer and saw the tiny wheel sticking out, she remembered Lucas. He’d driven her to the toy store on time so that she could get . . . so that she could get two trucks for her brothers.
“Did the nurses make any comments about a Texas Ranger visiting me?” When Kyle didn’t answer right away, Marisa cocked her head. “Spill.”
“Yeah, as a matter of fact. He came by a few hours ago and he checked in on your status. He’s been by every few hours since you arrived.”
“I was doing a job for Lucas.”
Kyle’s lips flattened as if he’d bitten a sour apple. “Translating some document.”
She’d known Kyle for six years and could read his many moods easily. “What aren’t you saying?”
“Your office was ransacked after your accident. All the papers locked in your desk drawer were taken.”
“Papers?”
“The ones you were translating for the Ranger.”
“All my papers are gone?”
“Yes.”
She pressed her fingertips to her temple. Memories came in and out of focus, and no matter how much she tried to corral one, she couldn’t. “My work for the Rangers was important.”
“I’m sure that it was.”
“There was a time limit. He wanted me to hurry.”
“How about you not worry about the Ranger and worry about getting better? I was thinking you could come and stay with me for a few days. I know the holidays aren’t your favorite.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
