“It’s three in the morning. You’ve been asleep for hours.” He guided her into the separate toilet and tipped up her chin, his gaze on hers. “Leave the door unlocked so I can come in if you need me.”
“Okay.” Except she didn’t move, hated the thought of letting go of him.
“I know,” he whispered in her ear. “I’ll be right outside.”
“Promise me.”
“I promise.” Agony crossed his face as he closed the door and left her.
As quick as she could, she tended to her needs then washed her hands in the small white basin. In the oval mirror above it, the depth of her ordeal showed in her sunken eyes, pale skin, and bruised body. She plucked a twig from her hair and flicked it into the wastebasket. She was incredibly lucky Ben had found her.
“Are you all right?” He knocked then opened the door and peeked in. “Do you want to change into something clean? I found a hospital gown in the drawer under the bed.”
“Yes, I smell like that cramped tin shed. I need a quick wash.”
“You got it.” With his hold on her firm, he ushered her toward the metal stool sitting inside the open shower cubicle. He slid her shorts down, left her bikini on then helped her sit. “We’ll have to be careful we don’t get your bandages wet, or the doctor won’t be happy.” He rolled the cuffs on his blue and black paneled shirt to the elbow then flicked the shower lever on and passed her the spray-head.
Carefully, he soaped her front and legs while she rinsed the suds away. Done, he turned the water off, wrapped her in a fluffy blue towel then knelt at her feet. Gently, reverently, he settled his head in her lap. “I need a minute. No moving for you.”
“I couldn’t move if I wanted to.” She needed this moment too. She tangled her fingers in his hair and held onto him.
“I’m sorry, Saria, for everything.” Emotion clogged his voice.
“I don’t remember most of my ordeal. The chloroform kept me out of it until the gag dried out.” She stroked his silky blond hair, reveling in being able to touch him as she pleased. “I shouldn’t have opened that door unless I knew it was you. All I could think was ‘yes, you’re back.’”
“You’ll have a guard no more than a step away from you going forward, and that’ll be me ninety-nine percent of the time.” He slid his arms around her waist, rose higher and looked into her eyes. “Can you tell me anything else about the man who took you?”
“Not much more than I already have. He said I was the bait to get to Lydia then he knocked me out with the chloroform. It was quick.” She tucked a loose strand of his hair behind his ear. “When I came to, I tried to kick the shovel over.”
“You managed it. I heard the clatter.” He clasped her face, brought her mouth to his. His kiss was slow, tender, and brimming with emotion. All too soon though, he pulled away. “Let’s get you dressed.”
“What’s going to happen now? Apart from the whole fulltime guard thing.”
“The man’s clearly after Lydia since she’s the eye witness to the hit-and-run on Taita’s brother. It’s doubtful he’ll leave this island without taking her or returning for you.” He removed her towel, carefully slid the hospital gown over her damp bikini and tied the flapping sides together. “Lydia’s confined again to the ship even though the cove is alarmed, and I intend to get you back to her as quick as I can. There’s only guaranteed safety with the ocean between you and any more possible danger.”
“Is someone watching that shed in case he returns?”
“Officer Kupita has one of his men on it.”
“Will you go after him?” She clutched the pole with one hand and his arm with the other.
“Once I’ve taken care of you, yes. It’s my job to find him, and your job to get better.” Rolling her IV pole along with them, he guided her back to the surgical room. At the steel counter, Dr. Hika sat on a stool writing up notes. He glanced up as he heard them coming.
“I didn’t expect you to rise so soon.” He crossed to her. “How’s the pain?”
“Manageable since you’ve got me juiced up.” She tapped the IV bag.
“Yes, everything you need is in there.” He helped her onto the bed and checked her temperature and vitals before replacing the bag. “You’re doing great. I want you to lie down. With plenty of sleep, you’ll heal quicker.”
She yawned and held out her hand toward Ben. “Can I use your cell phone? I need to call Lydia.”
“Of course.” He pulled the bed sheet over her and made the call. “Hey, Lydia, Saria’s here and demanding to talk to you.” He passed her the phone.
“When have I ever been demanding, Ben?”
“Saria, is that you?” Lydia’s anxious voice pounded down the line.
“Yes, it’s me.”
“Are you okay? Tyler said you were, but I’m so relieved you rang. When are you coming home?”
“As soon as the doc releases me. Hopefully soon. What about you? Are you feeling okay?”
“I’ll be better once you’re here. How’s the pain?”
“There isn’t any with the meds I’m—oh.” Her eyelids drooped. “The doctor’s snuck a sedative in. Can’t….”