Page 6 of One Little Memory
“Good. If anything comes up or if anything changes with her, I’ll make sure one of the nurses calls you.”
He was surprised. Most doctors wouldn’t know to do that. The nurses would have done it anyway because they all knew Phoenix needed to know as soon as possible, but it was the first time a doctor had ever offered. Maybe this guy was going to work out. “I’d appreciate that.”
Cahill offered his hand again. “Good to meet you, Phoenix.” They shook, and then Cahill disappeared down the hallway.
“So, what’d you think?” a voice said behind him.
Phoenix turned to find Hazel Kincaid, Jory’s sister and Aiden’s girlfriend, standing behind him. “Hey, Hazel. He seems okay.”
“I think so, too. Of course, anything has to be an improvement on the last one.” She shuddered. “You here about the mystery woman?”
“Yeah. Cahill says I can talk to her in the morning.”
“Did he tell you that she can’t remember anything?” Hazel’s long blond hair was up in a bun, but a few stray strands were tucked behind her ear.
“That’s not unusual for an accident victim.”
Hazel shook her head, and her blue eyes widened. “No, I mean she can’t remember anything, not even her own name.”
Phoenix’s eyebrows went up. “Seriously?”
“Yes. Dr. Cahill is hoping she’ll start remembering things once she’s had a bit of time to relax and recover from the accident.”
“Shit,” Phoenix breathed. “That puts a new spin on things.”
“Doesn’t it, though,” Hazel agreed. “Anyway, hopefully Dr. Cahill is right.” She smiled at him. “Go home and get some sleep. You look bushed. Wait, is that blood on your pants?”
Phoenix glanced down. There was a dark stain on the knee of his jeans. “Um, I guess so. I slid on the embankment. Must have cut myself.”
“Come on. I’ll clean you up.” Hazel turned and headed for room five.
“Really, Hazel, I’m good.”
She turned and gave him a pointed look. “Uh-uh. That cut needs to be cleaned, and you aren’t going to do it when you get home. I know you too well, Phoenix. So, get in there, and I’ll be back in a minute.” She turned and hurried toward the nurse’s station.
He sighed. He knew Hazel too well, too. She wasn’t going to let this go. He might as well go in and get it taken care of. It would save him the aggravation of fighting and losing. Some days were just like that.
CHAPTER 3
She openedher eyes and blinked. Where was she? Right, the hospital. They’d moved her last night to a single room. The sun was shining through the open blinds. It looked like a beautiful fall day. She started to stretch and gasped. Swear to God, every muscle in her body protested. They’d offered her some pretty serious painkillers last night, and she’d refused, but now she was having second thoughts.
“You’re awake,” a nurse said as she bustled into the room. She was different from the one last night. “I’m Kathy.” She came over to the bed and gently took the woman’s wrist. “I’m just going to check your vitals.”
Two minutes later, she smiled and said, “Hit the call button if you need anything. Dr. Cahill will be in shortly to see you.”
“Okay, thanks.” Kathy bustled out of the room.
Cahill. She remembered him from last night. Why couldn’t she remember anything else? Like how she got here? What happened in the accident? Hell, even her name. It was all one big blank. Her heart galloped and bile rose in her throat. What if she never remembered who she was?
“Good morning,” Dr. Cahill said as he walked into the room. He had a clipboard in his hand. “How are you feeling today?”
“Um, sore. My head hurts a bit.” Understatement of the century. Her head was banging like the bass drum in a marching band.
Dr. Cahill came over and gently took her wrist. “You’re upset,” he said.
No, shit.“I can’t remember anything, and it’s a little upsetting.”
He smiled down at her. “Honestly, I’d be lying if I said I knew how you felt. It must be very scary, but you have to try to relax. We want your body to heal, and then hopefully, all your memories will come back when it does. Do you want more medicine for the pain?”
