The Heart of Deception

Chapter 11

Tears poured down her face, as Lauren gingerly sat on the end of the bed. She felt worse today, than she had after her first day in the saddle.

She finally managed to remove Diane’s boots. Beyond caring, she stripped off her ripped clothing, and left them in a heap on the floor. To hell with the mess, she’d clean it up later when she felt more like herself again.

Through her tears she saw her face in the mirror, as she staggered into the bathroom.

“No wonder they laughed at me,” Lauren whimpered.

Stiff fingers released her sodden hair from the snood. A comically bedraggled image of herself stared back at her.

“I’m filthy.”

Turning on the shower, she tried to console herself with thoughts that one day her sense of humour would return. One day, she would be able to look back at the events of today, and laugh about it.

Warm water ran through her hair and over her scalp like soothing balm.

Then, somewhere in the distance, she could feel a dreadful burning sensation running down her left side. But, it seemed so far away, and it slowly faded as a comforting blanket of grey enveloped her.

Kurt helped to unsaddle the horses.

“Given a little time alone to clean up, Diane may have cheered up by the time I get back to the house,” he grimaced, gingerly removing Lightning’s saddle and blanket.

It looked like the horse was injured. His creamy flank was scarlet with blood, but seeing no fresh oozing, he turned the hose on the animal. His creamy coat washed clean.

Frowning, he glanced down at his shirt. It was soiled with blood and dirt too. The stain was mostly over the shoulder that he had used to hoist his Diane up into the saddle again. He hadn’t noticed any injuries on her, but then she had been covered in thick, black mud.

Suddenly concerned, he returned to where she had dismounted. A few more drops of blood. Kurt followed the trail for a few paces, before he broke out in a run – it ended at the closed door of the master bedroom.

Bursting in through the door, he heard the shower running, and saw the discarded clothing on the floor.

“Diane?”

Hearing no reply, he flung open the bathroom door. Through the misted glass he could see Lauren’s motionless form lying on the floor of the shower recess.

Kurt scooped her up and carried her from the en-suite, and gently lowered her onto the large bed, on her right side. He flinched at the sight of the cuts and abrasions that now marred her beautiful slender body.

He quickly found the offending tear along her left thigh, which was still trickling fresh blood. Applying direct pressure to it, with one hand, he drew the bedclothes over her with the other and then reached out for the phone at the side of the bed.

Thankfully, his best friend was also their family doctor. John Jenkins had never let him down before, and promised to be there as soon as he could.

Kurt anxiously gathered the lifeless woman up in his arms, cradling her cool head against his chest. His throat constricted as he thought of how close he could have been to losing her for good. How could I have been so stupid? Why didn’t I notice she was injured? He spent the next ten minutes reprimanding himself.

As her body warmed, he felt her slip from unconsciousness, into a peaceful sleep. Relief flowed through his veins as he felt the change. He couldn’t remember when last Diane had cuddled up to him in her sleep.

Lauren gradually became aware of a steady thudding under her cheek. She felt warm and secure wrapped in Kurt’s arms. It felt so good - so natural - she snuggled closer with a murmur of contentment.

Just then, reality bit. This wasn’t natural at all. This was downright dangerous!

Stiffening with awareness, she realised she wasn’t wearing a stitch of clothing. Her naked body was moulded against him, and she could feel the possessive grip of his hand on her thigh.

She tried to wrench herself free from his arms, but an excruciating pain suddenly radiated from beneath his hand, all the way up her left flank. She collapsed against him with a gasp, every inch of her wanted to scream in agony.

“It’s all right, darling, it’s all right! John will be here soon. Just try to lie still for a little while longer.”

Kurt’s free hand smoothed her hair from her face, as his lips caressed her forehead.

Lauren lay where she was, tense and unsure of what to say or do.

Here’s another fine mess you’ve got yourself into, she told herself quietly.

True to his word, Dr. Jenkins arrived promptly and came straight to the bedroom.

“So this is your idea of treating a lady for shock, is it Kurt,” he grinned.

Lauren blushed as he turned his attention to her.

“Does it feel like you’ve broken anything, Diane?”

“No,” she croaked, hoarsely. “I think I’m just a little bruised.”

Kurt grunted impatiently.

“That’s an understatement if I’ve ever heard one,” he muttered, as he gently rolled her over, to ease himself out from under the covers. “I think she’s lost a lot of blood.”

He exposed her injured thigh to his friends’ sight as he rose from the bed.

John Jenkins gave a low whistle of approval, as he lifted the doona, and saw the extent of her injuries.

“You certainly did a good job, Diane,” he said, as he gently examined the large contusion on her chest with gloved hands. He then turned his attention to the numerous cuts and grazes. 

Lauren flushed like a tomato under his scrutiny, while Kurt’s concerned face paled. Swaying slightly, he excused himself from the room.