“You got here just in time.”
The ambulance pulled onto the football field, feet away from where they stood. Two paramedics hopped out of the front and headed toward Chris.
“No, check out the ladies first. He can wait,” Sloan commanded.
The two paramedics hesitated before going over to Grace.
Sloan stood over the paramedic tending Grace, watching every move he made.
The other paramedic checked out Melanie and then Chris. In the meantime, other police cars had arrived, along with some of the curious townspeople. When Tabitha pulled up with Allison, Sloan braced for the onslaught of questions.
After checking her vitals, the paramedic stood. “I’d like her to come to the hospital and get a CT scan of her abdomen. You never know what kind of internal damage may have been done.”
Grace shook her head. “I’m not going to the hospital.”
“Yes, you are.” Allison shoved Sloan out of the way and knelt beside Grace. She looked from her back to him. “Sloan, did Chris really do this to both of them?”
He gritted his teeth. “Yes, he did.”
“That son of a bitch. What kind of man hits a woman?” Tabitha spat out.
“A bully.” Grace slowly stood with Sloan’s help. “Look, I’m fine. If there is some kind of waiver you need me to sign for refusing to go to the hospital, I suggest you hand it over. I’m tired and I want to go home.”
“You’ve got to make an official police statement.” Sloan cocked his head. “But I think it can wait until tomorrow.”
She nodded.
The police chief walked up and cursed. He narrowed his eyes at Grace. “So Chris did this to you and Melanie.” It was more a statement than question. “Well, I guess we’re going to have a shit storm on our hands when his daddy finds out. Thankfully, he’s in Memphis for some kind of political dinner. I need Sloan back at the station to make an official report. That has to be done tonight.”
“I know.” Sloan kept his gaze on Grace. He didn’t want to let her out of his sight.
“We’ll take her home.” Tabitha put her arm around Grace’s shoulder. “We’ll stay with her until you get there.”
Allison wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
He hugged her back. “I’m always okay.”
Allison nodded. “Grace, I’ll drive your car and you can ride with Tabitha. Where’s your purse?”
“Chris threw it over there.” Grace motioned with her hand.
Allison jogged over and gathered Grace’s purse and the contents.
Sloan closed the distance between him and Grace. He reached for her hands, scared if he touched anything else he’d hurt her. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“I know.” She smiled and let Tabitha lead her to her car.
Chapter Nine
Every time either Tabitha or Allison stuck her head in the dark bedroom, Grace closed her eyes. She knew they were concerned, but she didn’t want to talk about it. All she wanted to do was just go to sleep.
What she wanted and what she got were two different things. As emotionally and physically tired as she was, she couldn’t drift off to sleep. Her mind was focused on Sloan and wondering if he was okay. Could he possibly lose his job over this whole situation?
The rumble of tires on gravel had her eyes flying open. She knew by the growl of the engine that it belonged to Sloan.
She eased up in bed, cradling her arm to her bruised stomach. It was going to hurt a lot more in the morning. She knew that from experience.
“How is she?” Sloan’s voice drifted down the hall. The sound of his boots was muffled on the wool runner in the hallway.
“She’s sleeping. Don’t go in there,” Allison chided.
“I have to.” Sloan’s frame filled the doorway, the light from the hall casting him as one big shadow.
She felt the heat of his intense stare across the room. She stood. She needed for him to believe she was okay. It was important that he know.
“You guys go home.” He turned his face to the hallway, and she could tell by the worried look on his face, he wasn’t going anywhere.
The sound of muffled voices, Tabitha and Allison, along with high-heeled footsteps following the slam of the front door filled the void between them.
“Before you ask, you need to know I’m okay.” Her throat ached with unshed tears.
“I’m not.” He walked towards her, his boots tapping against the hardwood floor in solid sure steps.
Her breath caught in her throat as fingers found the hem of her shirt.
“You’re still wearing your clothes.”
“I just wanted to crawl into bed.”
He nodded. “Let me help you.”
The back of his fingers grazed her stomach then breasts as he lifted the shirt over her head. He knelt as he carefully pulled off her shorts and tossed them to the floor.