Page 53 of A Soldier's Temptation
“I’ll be right outside if you need me.”
“She’ll be fine. I promise,” the doctor said with a chuckle.
When they were alone the doctor smiled before starting his exam. “He’s a very dedicated boyfriend, he hasn’t left your side for more than a few minutes since you were admitted. He even gave them hell in the ER when they wouldn’t let him into triage.”
“He did?”
“Yup. You have a nasty concussion, but we needed to repair your fractured cheekbone,” Dr. Hernandez said as he lifted a light and moved it back and forth in front of her eyes.
“I guess that’s why my face hurts.”
“Excellent powers of deduction, Ariana. You also have three broken ribs.”
Now the pain she’d felt when trying to sit up by herself made sense. “I’m having trouble remembering what happened.”
“I’m not surprised. The concussion is probably the main cause, but you were under a lot of duress. Sometimes our brains shut down to try to protect us. I think as you continue to heal, most, if not all of your memory will return. I’ll give you a card for a neurologist. If would be a good idea to make an appointment to be checked as you start healing.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that. It seems strange to have holes where I know I should have memories.”
“I’m sure. Try not to push yourself too hard. If you find you’re getting a lot of headaches you should make an appointment as soon as possible with your doctor.”
“Okay. So when do you think I’ll be able to go home?”
“Unless something changes, I’ll write your discharge papers for tomorrow. But you have to promise to take it easy. You haveat leastsix weeks of recovery ahead of you to let those bones heal.”
“I will.”
“I’ll stop by to see you before you leave. Be well, Ariana.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
After the doctor left she was annoyed at herself for not asking about Shira, her face must have shown it since John looked concerned when he came back into the room.
“What happened? Did he give you bad news?”
“What? Oh no. I got great news—I can go home tomorrow. But I forgot to ask him about Shira.”
“Don’t be, he wouldn’t have been able to tell you anything unless you’re listed as her POC.”
“Then how do you know so much? You’re not related to me or my POC,” Ari asked.
“Because Colin was able to find out about both of you since it’s an open FBI case.”
“Wait, wasn’t the case closed? Maybe I’m remembering wrong.”
“It has and it hasn’t. It was supposed to be but since we were able to catch the people behind Shira’s kidnapping it’s open again. Whether or not he’ll be able to prove espionage, I have no idea.”
“I remember getting to the warehouse but not much else.”
“Did you ask the doc about it?”
“Yeah, and he said it would probably all come back.”
“Great, see, like I told you, nothing to worry about. I’m glad they’re discharging you. Mr. Darcy has been inconsolable.”
“Aww, poor Mr. Darcy. I miss him too. Wait, was he at the warehouse?”
“He was. I wondered if you’d remember that. It’s kind of ironic but he kissed you awake. It should have been my job.”
