“Well, let’s get a look see at you,” said Doc. He put his bag down on the bed next to Ginny and began to check her out. Patrick and Sam watched as Doc checked her eyes, examined her nose, ankle and the bump on her head. He also checked her ribs and other leg.
“You sure made a fine mess of yourself,” Doc said.
“Yeah. Is my nose broken?” Ginny asked.
“Cracked, but not broken. You’re gonna have a nice bruise on your face, but you shouldn’t have too black of an eye. There’s a bit of concussion which will make you feel like hell, but the worst is the ankle. Not one hundred percent sure, but I think you tore a tendon and maybe cracked a toe or two when you slipped,” Doc said. “You’re gonna have to stay in bed today and maybe tomorrow. At least until your head stops hurting. Don’t fuss, otherwise I’ll have Patrick there growl at you,” he finished with a smile.
Ginny just shook her head. “Tag teaming me eh?” she said.
“Sure will ma’am,” said Doc. “Do you have a primary doctor I can call?”
“Yes, his name is Jeff Hayes. Here’s his number,” said Patrick handing Doc a business card.
“Oh yeah. Had to call him a few years back about another patient,” said Doc. He stuck the card in his pocket. “Now, I’m going to wrap your ankle and give you some pain killers. Stay in bed as best you can and don’t go getting all antsy. Sam here will get Patrick to bring food up and we’ll get this taken care of now.”
“Okay. It isn’t like I’m going to go anywhere. I just feel so damned stupid for slipping and bashing my face,” said Ginny. “Oh, and I do better with just aspirin. The rest of the stuff just makes my stomach ache.”
“Okay, Aspirin it is,” said Doc as he wrapped her ankle and put the icepack back on it. “Try not to blow your nose if you can avoid it. We don’t want that crack to become a break.”
Ginny nodded. She took the aspirin that Sam brought to her with some water.
“I’ll let you know what Dr. Jeff has to say,” said Doc.
“Would you do us a favor and ask him not to tell the family?” asked Patrick.
“Afraid they’ll laugh or come get you?” asked Doc as he smiled.
“The latter,” said Ginny. “Laughter I can cope with. Last thing I want is Sara, Ivan and Joe sing-songing ‘Aunty Ginny fell dowwwwwwn!” as they bounce on the bed.
That made everyone laugh.
Doc finished up and then he and Patrick headed downstairs.
“Is there anything you need?” asked Sam.
“No, I just want to curl up and hope my head feels better. I’m so sorry about this mess,” said Ginny trying to apologize.
“Don’t worry. Things happen. You need anything, just holler,” said Sam as she headed out the door and downstairs.
*
Doc was just finishing up a phone call as Sam came into the lobby of the bed and breakfast. He had a smile on his face.
“Doc, what’s so funny,” asked Sam.
“Patrick, don’t listen okay,” said Doc with a wink.
“Okay,” Patrick answered puzzled.
“I just talked to this Dr. Jeff. He said good luck and that it must be one of them weeks for accidents. Said he was just on his way to see a fella named George who fell through a floor who didn’t want his cousin and her beau to know that he got hurt,” said Doc Rogers.
Patrick tried not to laugh. The smile was the first crack, and then the giggles started. “So that’s what Ginny was feeling!” he thought.
“What’s so funny about a guy falling through a floor?” asked Sam.
“Well, George is a big man. Over six feet and probably 250 pounds if not more. As a wolf, he tips the scales at probably 1000 pounds or more. I’m guessing he shifted at his girlfriend’s house and the floor was rotten in a spot and he went through it,” said Patrick.
“Oh god!” said Sam. “That was the George that upgraded your room?”
“Yes. Now two of them are confined to bed. What a riot!” said Patrick. “And don’t worry. I won’t tell Ginny. She’d do her best to pressure me into going home and I’m not doing that.”
“Good. Glad to know you have a good head on your shoulders,” said Sam. “You done here Doc?”
“Yes Sam. I’m going to go back and have breakfast before I head into the office. If Ginny needs anything, just holler,” Doc said as he headed out the door.
“That reminds me, I promised you something,” said Sam. “Follow me.”
Patrick followed her down the hall and past the kitchen. They went out a door onto a private patio. Sam stopped right as they got out the door and put her hand up to stop Patrick from walking any farther as well. Patrick saw what looked like a split level dog house big enough for a small pony in one corner of the yard. As they stood there, a nose peaked out and then withdrew.
“I don’t know if Buster will shift back to human or not,” whispered Sam. “He’s getting real stiff and it don’t go well for him.”
“I can understand that. Some days it doesn’t go well for me and I’m not that old,” Patrick said softly.
A moment later, a large wolf walked down the ramp and across to the patio where Sam and Patrick stood. He sniffed, walked around the two and then rubbed up against Sam. Then he just sat there and looked at Patrick.
“Sam, do you know how much he likes you?” Patrick asked quietly.
“No, I just figured he liked it cause I take care of him. Nothing special,” said Sam.
“No, he likes you a bit more than that. I think if he was twenty years older, you’d have yourself a lover,” he said.
“Oh your just teasing me,” Sam said exasperatedly.
“No, ask him yourself next time he shifts,” Patrick said. He got down to eye level with the old wolf. “You really should tell her you know,” he said and stood up.
Buster just looked at Patrick and then sneezed.
“I better get back to Ginny,” said Patrick. With that, he turned and headed back inside.
*