Page 119 of Escape
Once I received a clean bill of health from the doctors, was discharged from the hospital, and had assured Huck several times that I was okay, he and I went in search of Lori. She’d woken up and was admitted to a room. Since she’d been knocked unconscious, she was being kept overnight for observation. But she didn’t have any other major injuries or ailments, which I was beyond grateful for. And even though I couldn’t have prevented anything we’d been through, I still felt responsible for what happened to her.
“I’m so sorry about what happened tonight, Lori,” I lamented.
“It’s okay, Josie. It wasn’t your fault.”
“I feel awful about it.”
A small smile spread across her face as her eyes shifted momentarily between Huck and me. Finally, she teased, “If you really feel bad, there is a way you can make it up to me.”
“Anything,” I blurted before taking any time to consider what her request could be.
She hesitated briefly, but ultimately said, “You can cover my shift at the diner for the next few days. I figure it’s only fair since I covered for you when you were in the hospital.”
I grinned back at her. “I can totally do that.”
Lori laughed and asked, “Are you okay, though? Honestly, is this over for you now?”
Once I glanced up at Huck and saw the look in his eyes, I returned my attention to Lori. “I can’t say what’s going to happen with Kurt just yet, but I’m hoping that what he did to me before coupled with what he did to both of us this time around is going to be enough to result in some serious consequences, like jail time. But I guess we’ll have to wait and see where things go from here.”
She gave me a nod of understanding. “If there’s anything I can do to help see to it that he can’t come after you again, I’m happy to do it. I can’t imagine how you lived with him for so many years.”
“I appreciate your willingness to do that. I know the police said they intend to talk to you as well about what happened, but they wanted to give you time to do some healing before bombarding you with questions,” I told her.
“I’m willing to answer any questions they have.”
Just then, an announcement came over the intercom stating that visiting hours were over.
Despite the guilt I felt about Lori being in the hospital because of me, Huck and I couldn’t stay with her. “Are you going to be okay?” I asked.
Nodding, she confirmed, “I am. I’m going to take advantage of being here and catch up on some sleep I’ve been missing out on.”
“Okay, then I guess we’re going to head out,” I said.
“Thank you for coming in to see me before you left.”
I moved closer to her, covered her hand with mine, and gave it a squeeze. “Thank you for staying cool under pressure tonight and for doing what you did to keep us safe. I’m not sure I would have done so well on my own.”
“I only did what you told me to do, so I can’t take all the credit. I think we just make a great team, but I already knew that from working with you.”
I loved that she saw it that way.
“I’ll call you tomorrow to check in,” I promised.
“Sounds good. Have a nice night, Josie.”
“You, too.”
“It was nice to see you again, Huck.”
He gave her a nod of acknowledgement. “Likewise.”
With that, Huck and I turned and walked out of Lori’s room. We spent the next several minutes in silence as we made our way through the hospital and toward the exit. When we finally made it back to his truck and were both inside, he turned to face me, a look I couldn’t quite read on his face.
Even though it was late, since it was summer, there was still enough light outside for us to still see one another.
“What is it?” I asked him.
He reached for my hands, lifted them to his lips, and tenderly kissed each of my knuckles. Only after he’d done that did he return his attention to my face. And when he spoke, his voice was strained like I’d never heard before.