Healed (The Found Book 3) (3 page)

“Dammit, no wonder they only took real close-up pictures, if they did any kind of span outs, it would have been obvious you were beaten. I was pretty sure the hospital report was bogus.” Sarah hated that Amy was shivering but she needed a couple of more minutes.

“Amy, can I take a couple of pictures.”

“Will you be able to prove it was Chris?”

“I’ll be able to prove it wasn’t a car accident like he was saying. I’ll be able to show that you were beaten.” Why had Ed Jarrolson, a doctor that Sarah had worked with, so obviously covered this up?

Sarah took out a camera and got some wide angle shots of Amy’s entire torso including her face, showing the boot print at her ribcage. The hospital report said her cracked ribs were caused when she hit her steering wheel because she hadn’t worn her seatbelt.

“Why are you using a camera and not your phone?”

“I took the battery out of my phone. My friends would trace me otherwise. Can you lift your arms?”

Amy tried to lift her arms and groaned.

“Stop. That’s enough.” Amy lowered her arms.

“I need to do this. I don’t know if it shows, but he hit me with his ring. I saw an imprint three days ago. Do you still see it Sarah?”

“I see it.” Sarah snapped four more pictures.

“Did you get pictures of the ring marks?”

Sarah swallowed. “I did.” The bastard’s class ring had left perfect imprints. She took close-ups as well as pictures showing Amy’s face and the marks.

“I don’t get it, why did Dr. Jarrolson report this as a car accident?”

“Chris was in the room with us the entire time I was examined. The doctor was mad at Chris, but scared of him too.” Amy paused and looked down then looked back up again. “Chris kept saying, you don’t want to lose your license do you? He obviously had something hanging over his head. I really thought the doctor was going to report it anyway, and that’s when Chris started to cry. He said how much he loved me. How I was his world, and this was the first and only time.”

“It’s Ed’s job to report this. He couldn’t have believed Chris’s bullshit.”

“He didn’t, you could tell he didn’t Sarah.” Amy’s shoulders slumped.

“I just don’t understand. I can’t wrap my head around it Amy. I know this man, I know this doctor.”

“It’s Chris. He manipulates people. I’ve seen him do it for years. I’ve seen him find out one little thing about people, like they’re having an affair, and holds it over them. He has something on the doctor, I just know it.”

“Then why cry?”

Amy turned to her with a look of amazed horror. “For me, that was almost the worst part of being in the ER that night after the doctor agreed with Chris. It was listening to Chris be so remorseful and realizing he believed it.” Amy clutched Sarah’s hand. “Something is so wrong with him. He really believes he utterly loves me, and it would never happen it again.” Tears fell freely, dripping off Amy’s chin. “He scares me so much, I just didn’t know what to do.”

“Why did he beat you in the first place if he loves you so much?”

“The reason Chris lost control is that I told him I was pregnant.”

Sarah just stared at Amy, at a loss for words.

“Sarah, Chris’s obsessed. He wants all of my attention. He hates it when I spend the least amount of time with Jeremy when he’s home from work. It’s been better as Jeremy got older, because he can go to his room and play video games. Chris wants my entire focus to be on him. I’m not allowed to spend any time with Jeremy when Chris’s around.” Sarah’s hand hurt where Amy gripped it. “He hated when Jeremy was a baby because he took up so much of my time. After he shoved me to the floor he lost all control, and I could see it in his eyes. He wanted to kill our baby. Two days after the beating I told him I’d miscarried.”

“Jesus.” Sarah thought she might throw up.

“But I don’t think I did. I’ve been so worried he hurt my baby.” Amy sank down on the couch and Sarah watched as her face crumpled and tears started to flow. She wrapped her arms around her middle.

“I was so careful, I knew I could never risk having another child, but I was on antibiotics and my birth control failed.” She rocked back and forth. “Sarah, I have to protect my children.”

Sarah sat down beside Amy and put her arm around her shoulder, knowing she had to help her. Help not just Amy, but her baby as well.

“It’s going to be all right.”

“You’re a doctor, is there any way you can check that my baby is okay?”

“A mother’s body naturally protects her baby. You know the fluid surrounding your child acts as a barrier to care for the fetus. As soon as it’s safe, we can get you somewhere to do an ultrasound. In the meantime, we need to get you more comfortable for your sake and your baby’s sake.” Amy bent to pick up her clothes from the couch.

“Before we get you into your clothes I want to put some antibiotic ointment on you.”

“It’s okay, I’ve been doing that. A nurse gave me some at the hospital.” Amy reached for her shirt again and squeaked in pain.

“You probably haven’t been putting any on the marks on your back.” Sarah pulled the shirt away from Amy and eased her down so she was resting over the arm of the sofa. She grabbed a tube of ointment from the bag Ramone had given her. She was still amazed Ramone actually had a complete doctor’s bag to give to her. When she had questioned him about it, he said that one of his parishioners was a doctor.

She smoothed some of the salve onto one of the deeper bruises.

“Don’t you need to put it onto the cut instead?”

“I was hoping just a warm hand over your bruising might feel good.” Sarah held her hand on top of Amy’s flesh watching as some of the discoloration faded. Even though she had healed before, she was always amazed when she used her
found
ability to help others feel better.

“I don’t know what you’re doing but keep doing it,” Amy sighed. Sarah pressed down again, spreading her fingers wider and watched as even more of the bruising dissipated. For long minutes Sarah continued the process, squeezing out ointment and then smoothing it onto the angry welts and contusions. She moved her hand to the front of Amy’s torso, under her breast, where there was another boot print. Healing someone always felt good while she was doing it, but the after effects were a killer.

God, she wanted to get her hands on Chris Jeffries and kill the son of a bitch. Actually she wanted Nate to get his hands on the fucker. Or she wanted her brothers to gang up on him and beat him into a bloody pulp. Sarah didn’t realize she was crying until a tear dripped off her chin. Nobody should ever have to go through this kind of pain and suffering, especially at the hands of someone who was supposed to love and protect them. Sarah’s heart lurched. She felt the heartbeat of the baby under her fingers.
Thank God.

She reached out, concentrating. A flutter of life, a heartbeat, just the beginning, but so strong, so determined. Sarah breathed a sigh of relief. There was nothing wrong with the baby. It was just as she told Amy, the baby had been protected, now she could continue working on Amy’s injuries, especially knitting the cracked ribs. She remembered doing the same thing for Noah almost a year ago. She was going to be so sick when she was done with this healing, but it would be worth it.

She continued to gently smooth the cream into Amy’s sore body for almost an hour, until she was sure the ribs were finally healed.

“You’re a miracle worker, I feel so much better,” Amy’s voice slurred. “I think I’ll go lie down with Jeremy.” Sarah helped Amy into her clothes, and watched her go into the bedroom, then she rushed to the bathroom. Sarah threw up until there was nothing left in her stomach, then propped herself up against the bathtub and rested her head against her bent legs, shivering and sweating profusely. She didn’t have enough strength to get up and turn off the light in the bathroom even though it was sending shards of pain through her closed eyelids.

Something pushed inside her head, one more symptom of the healing, one more sensation swirling amongst the pain. Sarah tried to ignore the pushing, but it pushed stronger and it didn’t hurt, actually it was kind of soothing…, it felt familiar. Finally she recognized it. It had the warm protective feeling of Nate. It was as if his arms were around her. He had to be close, otherwise his presence wouldn’t be this strong without talking to him.

She didn’t want him to find her, so she pushed back, but he was immovable. She tried again, but he was just a solid, warm and steady presence. Finally she gave up and smiled in relief. She eased towards the floor, or was he the one taking her down, curling behind her, enveloping her in his strong arms, offering succor. His big hands massaged the flesh of her tummy, helping to relax the rigid muscles. Finally her stomach settled and she could breathe evenly.

She tried one last time to push him away.

No, I’m here with you, get used to it. I’m not leaving you alone, not ever.

She nudged back with her shoulder into his big chest, and she felt him give a weary chuckle. She closed her eyes and dreamed of the first time she healed someone.

****

She heard Kota complaining about his healed knife wound itching, but it was like it was coming from a long way off. She focused on making it to the hotel room bathroom. One foot in front of the other.

“Sarah, are you okay?” Was that Kali talking? “Sarah?”

Just four more steps and she would reach the bathroom. A big hand opened the door and helped her to the toilet just as she heaved the contents of her stomach. She didn’t know how long she stayed kneeling in front of the commode, resting her head on the cool porcelain but it seemed like forever. The room wouldn’t stop spinning, her head was killing her, and she was shivering and sweating at the same time. Suddenly a huge hand cupped the back of her head and a cool compress wiped her face.
Nate.

Her head no longer felt like someone was trying to drive a spike through it.

“Are you done, Angel?” Her eyes weren’t watering anymore, but she still didn’t feel up to opening them and seeing the pity in Nate’s hazel eyes.

“Go away,” she said in a raspy voice.

“Nope.”

“Please Nate, I’m begging you. I’ll be out in a little while.” His hand lifted, and she had to stifle a groan of pain. The door opened and closed. She didn’t try to analyze why she felt both relieved and disappointed he had left, the pain in her head made higher thought impossible. The door opened again.

“Is that you, Kali?” she whispered, not opening her eyes.

“Nope. Can you stand?” Nate’s big hand stroking down her back felt wonderful.

“I think so.” Where seconds ago she thought she might pass out from the pain, now she felt like she could push herself up off the floor.

“Let me help you.” How could such a big man be so gentle? He assisted her and she found herself in front of the sink gazing into the mirror. Nate helped to balance her from behind. She looked like death warmed over.

“You look beautiful.” Damn, she’d said it aloud.

Sarah looked up and up and saw his utter sincerity. It was too much, so she went to rinse her mouth.

“Hold onto the sink, I brought your toothbrush from the other room.” God, she didn’t want to have to go back out into the hotel room where four other people overheard her toss her cookies. Brushing her teeth would help her feel more in control.

“I can stand by myself.” Sarah went to grab her toothbrush he held out, but her hand started to shake again. She realized just how bad she was shivering, but at the same time, she was dripping with sweat. Then to her utter horror she started to cry.

“Come here, Angel.” Nate turned her around from the sink to take her into his arms. Her shivering and sweating stopped. He tilted her chin and used his thumbs to brush away her tears.

“It’s okay to cry, to show weakness. You held it together for everyone, this is just between you and me and I promise not to tell. You can just relax for a few minutes.”

“No,” she said as her teeth stopped chattering. “I want to brush my teeth.”

“Then let me help you.” He turned her towards the sink, put toothpaste on the brush, and helped curl her fingers around the handle. Sarah was able to do a light brush and rinse and felt human again before she slumped against Nate.

“That does it. We’re getting you to bed.”

“We can’t disturb Noah.” Noah had been wounded and was resting in the hotel room where she, Kali and Sierra normally slept. She just used her newfound powers to heal both Noah and Dakota ‘Kota’ Blackthorne and apparently she was suffering the side-effects from expending the energy to do so.

“I arranged for another room.” He turned her around and scooped her up into his arms. God, the man was huge. No wonder he had been so successful playing college football at Oklahoma University.

“Wait, I didn’t think it was safe to get another room.”

“It’s all taken care of.” If Nate said it was taken care of, then she knew it was. He would never let one of his teammate’s safety be compromised. The thought made her sad for a moment, she didn’t want to be considered just another member of the team, but thinking about it made her tired. She was too worn out to do anything more than sink into the warmth of Nate Goodman’s arms. In moments Nate was laying her on the soft surface of a bed. As soon as she was no longer touching him, her stomach heaved and she clenched her back teeth together trying desperately not to gag.

“Sarah, do I need to get you to the bathroom? I was just closing the curtains.” He started to lift her and everything settled.

“Just stay with me a moment. Don’t leave me.” She finally caught on, his touch made her feel better. She couldn’t explain it, but what damn thing made sense these days? Less than an hour ago she’d knit a man’s flesh together and he’d healed before her eyes.