Rory: Hope City, Book 7 by Maryann Jordan (uplifting books for women txt) 📕

unconscious Sandy in her bloody clothes. He rushed around and dropped to his knees next to Rory, who was attempting to take her blood pressure.

“Oh, damn! Please tell me this isn’t her blood!”

Not paying attention to the man next to him, he said, “No, sir, the blood is from the woman she was helping. Now, please, stay back.”

Instead of moving away, the man stayed close. “My name is Todd. Todd Patterson. I work with her. Sandy hates blood! I can’t believe she didn’t pass out right away! She passes out even when she has a blood test. In fact, if someone’s even talking about blood, she passes out.”

Rory finally managed to get her blood pressure, noticing it had dropped, which was not unusual with someone who fainted. Her pulse was good, and he grabbed an ammonia capsule from the kit supplied by Suzanne. Waving it in front of her nose, he watched as her eyes blinked open and she gasped to take a deep breath.

“Wh… what…”

Sandy attempted to sit up, and Rory placed his hand on her back. “Hang on there, Sandy. Sit up very slowly.” Earlier her lips had been solid white, but now a touch of pink was beginning to color them. “Your color is coming back. Heartbeat is steady, and in just a few minutes, I’ll get your blood pressure again.”

One of the firemen tried to get Todd to move again, but he insisted on staying. “She needs to see a familiar face when she wakes up.”

“Rory?” Her voice was unsteady and she looked up into his face. Her gaze dropped to her clothing, and she groaned.

“Sandy, don’t look,” Rory said, afraid she was going to pass out again. “Just focus on me and I’ll get you outta here.”

“Oh, my, I had no idea you two knew each other.” Todd grinned at Rory before dropping his gaze to Sandy. “Boss lady, I think you’re in good hands. If this man says he’s going to get you outta here, I think that’s exactly what needs to happen.”

“Joan?” she mumbled.

“She’s going by ambulance to the hospital. She’ll need stitches and they can evaluate her further. We’re going to get out of here so Rosie can lock up after us and get things cleaned up. I’m off duty, and I’m gonna take you home. You stay here with your friend while I go get my truck.” Assuring himself that she wasn’t going to faint again, he jogged back to the station, reporting to the captain on duty. Quickly driving his truck back to the sandwich shop, he hurried inside.

Todd clapped him on the back. “I’m holding you personally responsible for the boss lady.” He turned and looked toward Rosie and called out, “I’m heading back to the office. If you or Joan need anything, you give us a call.” With that, he scooted around the firemen standing by the door and disappeared.

Rory scooped her into his arms and carried her out, gently placing her in the passenger seat of his truck. Climbing behind the wheel, he was reminded of the last time he drove her home. Then, he was filled with a combination of fear, anger, and surprise. This time, he was filled with anticipation and determination.

Easily remembering where she lived, he soon pulled into a parking space in front of her townhouse. She had stayed quiet on the drive home, and he shifted in his seat to look at her. “Are you okay, Sandy?”

“This is so embarrassing.”

Surprised at her comment, he asked, “What’s embarrassing?”

“Fainting.” She spared a glance his way, then looked back toward the front windshield, shaking her head. “You deal with this all the time, but for as long as I can remember, the idea of blood makes me woozy.”

“Hey, there’s a lot of people that pass out when they see blood. Listen, we can talk once we get inside your house. Right now, stay where you are, and I’ll come around to get you.” He climbed from the driver’s seat and hustled around the front of his truck. As he opened her door, she turned to swing her legs outward, but he scooped her up once again.

“I can walk,” she insisted.

“I’m sure you probably can, but I’ve already seen you hit the floor once today, and I’d rather not have you do that again out here on the concrete. Let’s get you in where I know you’ll be safe.” She didn’t protest but instead threw one arm around his neck, and he took that as a positive sign. Setting her feet on the top step of her stoop, he took her keys and opened the front door. Assisting her inside, he started to set her on the sofa when she cried out. “No! I don’t want to get blood anywhere!”

So used to blood on his uniform, he understood her concern. Making a decision he hoped would not offend her, he carried her to the bottom of the stairs and said, “Let me get you to your bedroom. That way you can shower, get the blood washed off, and change clothes.”

She nodded her acquiescence. “That’s a good idea. Thank you.”

He mounted the stairs easily, her weight slight in his arms. At the top, she directed him to the bedroom on the left, and he stalked inside. Placing her feet carefully on the floor, he held onto her while she pulled off her heels.

“Thank you, Rory. I know this was a lot of trouble and you went out of your way—”

“Not at all. I’m glad I was there to help.”

“You can just lock the front door as you pull it closed behind you, and I’ll be fine—”

“I’m not leaving. Not now. I want to stay close in case you become ill again.”

She blinked, her nose scrunching slightly. “I’m sure I’ll be—”

He interrupted her once again. “Seriously, Sandy. In good conscience, I couldn’t leave and not be sure. I know my staying up here would make you uncomfortable, so I’ll go downstairs and wait. Take your time in the