Second Chance Cowboy

Chapter 6

     Lanie hated hospitals.  But at least they had a mirror.  She had finally gotten a chance to see the damage.  It had been 3 weeks and a lot of the swelling and bruising was almost faded.  But that gash on her brow was still ugly.  It wasn't puckered or puffy, but it was a big red gouge almost all the way across her forehead.  The doctors had assured her that scarring would be minimal.  Pete had done an excellent job with the stitching.

             In fact, according to the doctors, he had done an excellent job with all of her wounds.  She wore a walking cast for the fractured left ankle and a removable brace for the fractures in her left wrist.  There were fresh wrappings on her ribs and all but one of the bandages were gone now that her other cuts had nearly healed up. 

            She was bored to tears and really missed the fireplace. Who was she kidding? She missed Pete. And she missed bud. Her feet got cold.  She smiled and wiggled her toes beneath the blanket as she thought about the dog and his beautiful blue eyes.

            She had called Beth, and the insurance company, and the car rental agency.  The agency was going to retrieve the vehicle and work everything out with her insurance company.  Beth was upset that she couldn't come to Lanie’s rescue, but had talked at length about Pete’s good virtues and qualities.  It was obvious to Lanie that Beth was hoping her two friends would "hit it off" Lanie didn't commit to anything. 

            She seriously liked the big cowboy.  And she thought he liked her too. But they were from different worlds.  She knew once she got out of here and went back to her life she would probably not see him again.  She sighed.  Her guardian angel was at it again.  Murphy had introduced a really nice guy to her, and then took him away again.

            "Sucks to be you, Lanie." she said to herself.

            "So I’ve heard."

            Lanie was startled. She hadn't realized she wasn't alone.  She looked up, and smiled.

            "PETE!" he was leaning against the door jam and had one booted foot crossed over the other.  One hand was in his pocket, the other behind his back.  She held out her arms without thinking and then dropped them to her lap.  "It’s good of you to visit.  The doctors all tell me that you did an excellent job patching me up.  I won't even have much of a scar from this,” she pointed to her forehead.

            "You look good.  Are they treating you right?" He didn’t move from the doorway.

            "Um, yes, I suppose so.  It's a hospital. These gowns aren’t' near as comfortable as your shirts were..."she'd done it again. She bit her lip and looked at her hands.  "I mean, they’re a little drafty."

            He laughed then and stepped into the room.  He had crossed to the bed and sat down on its edge by her feet before she realized he was hiding something behind his back.

            "Show me what you've got."

            He tipped his head and smiled at her.  "You know you've ruined the cabin."

            "I beg your pardon."

            "It’s got you everywhere now.  I look at the afghan on the couch and remember you there.  I use the sink and remember washing your hair.  I haven’t washed the sheets, because I don't want them to loose your scent.  You’ve made it feel empty."

            "I...I don’t know what to say."

            "I know you have your own career and you need to get back to it.  I just didn't want you to forget me. Because I know I won't ever forget you."