Indian summer

Chapter 14

I've never seen houses on a reservation before. I've learned in school that the Native Americans have terrible living conditions but the Clearwater house didn't seem that bad. It was small but not too small. It was kinda cute. Embry brought me inside without knocking and into the kitchen where Sue was getting some first aid stuff together.

"How are you feeling now?" She asked, not taking her eyes off her work. "Are you still feeling a little dizzy?"

"Just a little bit," I admitted truthfully. "Its not as bad as it was before."

Sue nodded, "That's good then. Your concussion probably isn't terribly bad. Embry I know how hard its gonna be but you're going to have to leave for a second. The girl doesn't need you staring at her shirtless body while I tape her up."

The heat rose in both of our faces and I giggled at Embry's embarrassed grin. He squeezed my hand before leaving the room. I refused to let Sue cut my shirt off so we started the slow process of sliding the shirt delicately over my upper torso. It hurt like hell fire and for a second I wished I wasn't so stubborn but I really liked this shirt.

Once it was off Sue got to work taping tightly around the area where my ribs were broken. I gritted my teeth against the pain and Sue chuckled. "You don't have to be tough all the time."

"Its just the way I am." I replied.

She nodded thoughtfully, "My Leah is the same way. She's the only female shape-shifter and its her nature to prove she's just as tough as the guys."

"Leah's your daughter?" I asked, Embry hadn't told me that.

"Yes," She replied, pulling the tape a little snugger. "And Seth is my son."

"I'm so sorry what's happening to Seth." I apologized sincerely, my voice cracked as she pulled the tape a little tighter. I could hear Embry pacing in the other room. He let out a noise that sounded like a whine.

"It isn't your fault." She replied then took a step back. "That should do it. You stay here while I go get some dry clothes for you to put on."

In the other room I heard Embry let out a long sigh and slink down to the floor. I couldn't help but smile. His worrying was too cute.

Sue returned quickly with some old jeans and a ladies button down shirt. I was grateful for the button down shirt; it was a hell of a lot easier to get it on. The jeans were a little long but they'd do. Once I was fully clothed Embry quickly returned back to my side; taking a hold of my hand and kissing my temple.

"Are you ready to go home?" He asked.

Truthfully, I wasn't. I was not looking forward to explaining all of this to my parents. Also, going home meant Embry would leave.

"Let me make a note for your parents first about what happened." Sue said quickly. Her hands fluttered momentarily as she searched for a pen but once she found one she started furiously writing. "We're just going to say you tripped on your own and fell off the cliff. No need to make Embry look like the bad guy." Sue said with a grin. She finished the note and handed it along with my soaked clothes to me. Embry took them from me and guided me for the door.

"Thanks Sue," He said over his shoulder.

"Yes, thank you so much." I echoed. She smiled and waved a little before turning back into the house.

"I really don't want to go home yet." I admitted once we got in the car. "How 'bout I meet your mom?"

"I'd love to take you to see her but I'd rather you met her when you weren't soaked and on the verge of catching pneumonia if I don't get you home."

"Did you know you're very dramatic?" I leaned back against the seat with a pout. My hair hung in a limp wet mess over my head.

Embry reached over and pushed some of the hair out of my eyes before looking over his shoulder to back out of the driveway and said, "Yes, I did know that."

The drive home was way too short. I could feel the note from Sue heavy, metaphorically speaking, in my pocket. My chest still hurt but the tape helped a little bit. It kind of restricted my breathing, though. As Embry and I headed up the walkway he reached an arm behind me like he wanted to wrap it around my waist but he hesitated. I smiled and grabbed his hand with mine.

"Why are you all wet?" Were the first words out of my dad's mouth when we walked in the door.

"It was just a little accident, dad." I muttered while pulling the note out of my pocket. "Don't lose your head."

His eyes gradually got wider as he read over the note. "You fell off a cliff?"

"You fell off a cliff?" My mom echoed from the other room. She quickly reached out and grabbed me in her arms; pulling me away from Embry.

"Into water," I finished for them, wincing at the pain from my mother's hasty hug.

"But you have a concussion and a broken rib?" My dad continued. My mom dropped her arms and apologized. "Why did you let her fall off the cliff?" My dad accused Embry.

"It was an accident dad." I defended, "It's not like he pushed me. He also dived in and saved me from drowning. Doesn't it say that in the note?"

"It does," My dad replied, still skeptical.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't watching her carefully." Embry apologized, "I shouldn't have even taken her to the cliff. That was my mistake."

My parents were clearly taken back by Embry's regret. "Well, you guys will just have to be more careful next time." My mom said.

"Next time? Who says there's a next time?" My dad thundered at my mom.

"We'll talk about it," My mom said softly to him, meaning she would get her way. She always does. "Thank you for saving Dixie and taking her home."

Embry seemed to relax a bit. "No problem." He looked at me, eyes filled with more care and love than I could ever imagine, and said, "I'll see you later, Dixie." The line didn't match the look in his eyes but I knew he was casual for the sake of my parent's decision. He flashed a quick smile before heading out the door; tugging my heart with him.