Long Way Home by Ann Vaughn Read Free Book Online Page A

putting the arch together so I went out to see what they wanted
me to do next.  I was in the vestibule when he hit Tessa.  He had
hold of Mary and was about to punch her when I tackled him.  We fought for
a few minutes and then I subdued him, taped his wrists.  Bet that hurt
like he...heck to get off,” he chuckled.
             “You
probably saved their lives, son,” Luke told him.
             Shane
closed his eyes knowing his dad was likely right but still not happy about all
that happened.
             “This
is exactly why I didn’t want him associating with that girl,” Susie said to
Luke, thinking he was asleep.
             “Now,
Susie, they couldn’t have known that Harrison would violate the restraining
order, but beyond that, what Shane did today is exactly what he will do when he
becomes a cop.  You know this...and he’s damn good at it already.”
             “But
he isn’t a cop yet, Luke.  He’s just a boy.”
             “He
is eighteen, Susie.  The US Government says he is old enough to vote and
go to war.  He is an adult now.”
             “He’s
my child!” she cried.
             “I’m
right here, Mom,” Shane said sleepily.
             She
wiped tears from her eyes.  “I’m sorry, honey.”
             Dr.
Curtis came back in with a nurse and they wheeled him down to an x-ray
room.  He was asleep before they got there but not before he caught a
glimpse of Tessa and her mother in the hallway.
             Thirty
minutes after they took Shane in to be x-rayed, his dad came out to talk to
them.
             “Dr.
Curtis wants to transport Shane to the hospital.  He says his knee is
going to need surgery.  He apparently twisted it at some point, tore the
cartilage pretty good.”
             “Oh,
no!” Tessa gasped. “Baseball?”
             Luke
shook his head.  “He’s likely done for the season.”
             “I’m
so sorry, Sheriff McCanton,” Tessa cried.
             “Hey,
it’s all right,” he said, hugging her.  “Shane’s going to be fine. 
There is nothing for you to apologize for.  I’m just glad he was there to
stand up for both of you.”
             “He
saved our lives, Luke.  I have no doubt about that,” Mary said.
             “Harrison
has a concussion,” he told her, “and he’s lost a few teeth.”
             Tessa
managed a smile through her tears.  “Shane got him pretty good.  It
was kinda satisfying to see him get a taste of his own medicine.”
             “Yes,
it was,” Mary agreed.  “Linda is coming to get us.  We have to get
the church finished; but will you page me and let me know his room number? We’d
like to come see him.”
             “Of
course.  And I would appreciate it if, after you finish the church, you
stop by the station and give Scott your statements.”
             “Certainly,”
Mary agreed.
             “Will
you tell Shane I’ll be there as soon as I can?” Tessa asked.
             “I
sure will...and put that ice pack back on your cheek.  You’re swelling
again.”
     
             When
Shane woke up he was disoriented and in more pain than he’d ever been in his
life.  He glanced to his right and saw a pretty nurse sitting near the
foot of his bed. She got up and moved closer to him when she saw he was awake.
             “Hey,
there, cutie,” she smiled at him.
             He
turned to watch her check an IV bag then realized it was attached to his arm.
             “Where
am I?” he asked, puzzled by the hoarseness of his voice.
             She
took his wrist to check his pulse.  “You’re at Sinclair County
Hospital.  Dr. Curtis referred you to Dr. Kinsley.  He operated on
your knee to repair a tear in your cartilage.”
             “Surgery?”
             She
smiled again.