Dr. Crower did not release her for two more days. Her body was slow to heal and he prescribed a round of antibiotics which seemed to help. As she responded she began to sleep better and felt better rested.
Sheriff Lucas was a daily visitor. He was kind and solicitous and would sit and hold her hand as they talked. At first, she found she found this annoying, then she began to find his touch soothing. Then, after he would leave, she would wonder why he could elicit such a response in her.
Finally, the day came when Dr. Crower agreed to release her. He came to her room and stood by her bed, smiling.
"Do you feel like going home?" he asked her, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Yes, please, I want nothing more than to go home. When can I leave?"
"Well, I have the paperwork ready, let me try and arrange some transportation for you."
"I can take care of that, Harvard," Lucas Buck strode into the room, "I'll take her home as soon as you release her. I've even arranged for someone to come by and help her out today. All you need to do is sign the papers."
"You don't need to trouble yourself, Sheriff..." Dr. Crower began but Lucas cut him off.
"No need of that, I'm here and I'll take care of it. You just take care of those papers so she can get out of here. I've brought some of her clothes—the ones she was wearing when I brought her in are evidence."
"Thank you, Lucas," she interjected, wishing to put an end to their hostile exchanges, "Just let me get dressed and sign whatever I have to. I want to go home."
Home was calling her. She wanted to get back to setting up her altar and see if being in familiar surroundings could evoke any memories. If she was going to find an answer to what happened, it would have to start there.
It bothered her that she could remember nothing. Something so traumatic had to leave memories. She was well acquainted with the power of magic over memories and she wondered if something magical had played a part.
Lucas had brought her a soft jersey dress and a pair of sandals. He had included a cardigan which she draped over her shoulders—it was cool in the hospital or was it just her?
He smiled his approval, "I knew that shade of blue would bring out the color of your eyes."
"Thank you," she replied and felt her cheeks flush. Why did he make her feel so awkward? He had a smile that was predatory in one moment then charming in the next. She remembered when they had made love, how he had drawn responses out of her she did not know she possessed. If not for the pain she felt all over her body, she would like to have him in her bed again, skin to skin.
Dr. Crower appeared with the papers and a small paper bag. "I gave you a few Demerol, enough for five days. You should switch to aspirin or Tylenol after that if you need it. Come back in a week so I can check your progress. Get plenty of rest, but try to walk every day, it will help the stiffness in your muscles."
"Don't worry, Harvard, I'll keep an eye on her." Lucas smiled but there was nothing friendly in the look he gave the doctor.
"I'm sure you will," Dr. Crower muttered, then helped her into a wheelchair, which Lucas took over.
"Goodbye and thank you," she told the doctor and held out her slender hand, "I appreciate all the help you've given me.
Lucas put her into his big blue Ford and got into the driver's seat. "Selena Coombs will be bringing you some lunch. I'll come over tonight with dinner, all you need to do is take it easy."
"Thank you, Lucas," she murmured, "I don't have anyone here I can ask for help."
He lifted her out of the car when they reached her house, carrying her to her door as if she weighed no more than a child. He unlocked the door, then carried her to the couch, and went into her kitchen, and retrieved a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
"I thought you might want to take one of those pills the doctor gave you." He handed her the bottle, smiling.
"Yes, I was going to wait but I'm feeling sore." She reached into the bag and drew out a small bottle, "The pain meds have made things bearable."
He bent down and kissed her, this time his mouth finding hers and lingering. He lay his hand briefly on her breast, then pulled it away.
"I've got to go, Selena should be here soon. I'll see you tonight."
She watched him leave, feeling stirrings of desire despite the pain. She was wary of him, yet there was no denying that he was an attractive man and skillful lover.
He had placed the remote on the coffee table where she could reach it without moving. The local tv stations were woefully inadequate, she would have to get satellite tv to have anything worth watching.
She turned on the tv and flicked through a few channels, then turned it off. She would listen to music or read, but right now all she wanted to do was lay back and enjoy the solitude after the noise and bustle of the hospital.
She was about to drop off to sleep when she heard a light knocking at the door. "Hello," said a woman's voice in a syrupy southern accent.
An attractive willowy-figured woman stepped into the room. "I'm Selena Coombs, Lucas asked me to bring you something for lunch. I hope you like cream of broccoli soup."
Elizabeth sat up. Selena had light brown hair and she painted her pouty mouth a deep shade of rose pink. She tried without success to read the expression in the woman's hazel eyes but she must have learned how to mask her feelings. Elizabeth was willing to bet she was one of the lovers of Sheriff Buck and was doing this because he had asked, or rather told, her to.
"Thank you, I like cream of broccoli soup. I do appreciate you doing this for me, at the moment I'm not very mobile."
"I can imagine," there was a tone of sarcasm that dripped through the accent.
Elizabeth wondered how much Selena knew about her. She watched her as she produced a bowl and ladle from the bag, along with a spoon. There was also salad and French bread, enough food to absorb the side effects of the Demerol.
"Well, I guess that will have to do. I've got to get back to my kids, I teach fifth grade, in case Lucas didn't tell you."
"Wait, Selena, one more thing. You don't have to let Lucas treat you the way he does."
"What do you mean? What makes you think there is anything between Lucas and me?"
"It's written all over your face. You're doing his bidding, aren't you? You wouldn't be doing this otherwise."
"Well, if I were you, I'd be careful about what I have to say regarding Lucas. He's benefitted a lot of people in this town." She looked me over scornfully, "You presume to know more than you probably do."
"I know enough. I feel sorry for you, Selena, honestly."
"What would you know about me and Lucas?" Selena gave her a withering look then left, slamming the door on her way out.
Elizabeth burst into laughter, then stopped as the pain in her muscles caused her to flinch. What power did Lucas have over women anyway? She had noticed the nurses fawning over him in the hospital, asking him how he was, would he like a cup of coffee, was there anything they could do for him? How many had fallen victim to his charms?
Dr. Crower was less than impressed, the antagonism between him and Lucas Buck was obvious for anyone who noticed it. There was kindness in the handsome doctor's eyes, which was lacking in Lucas Buck. Of the two, the doctor was more handsome, but she had not noticed any flirtation between him and the nurses—why? Lucas was a gentleman in appearance but the doctor was in manner and demeanor.
It was too much to think about. She ate a bowl of soup that was cooling in the container, a little salad, and some bread smeared with butter. Then she laid her head on her pillow and drifted off to sleep, the Demerol prevented any dreams so her sleep was deep and restful.
It was evening when the sheriff returned, carrying a large bag from which emanated the fragrance of Chinese food.
"Thought you might like something light," he told her, "You know how they say that with Chinese food you're hungry an hour after you finish." He smiled, that charming smile of his that made her melt while simultaneously making her feel uneasy.
"It's the vegetables, it smells wonderful but where did you find it? There are no Chinese restaurants around here, I don't think there are any Asian Americans living in Trinity or are there?"
"I have a few secrets, this is one of them." He carried the bag into the kitchen then returned carrying plates laden with egg foo young, broccoli and beef, and kung pao chicken. All her favorites, and with white rice instead of fried rice—she thought fried rice would have appealed to the southern sheriff.
"Oh, all my favorites, how did you guess?" No, she thought, don't tell me. "Did they include jasmine tea?"
"Brewing in the teapot, it will be ready in a few minutes. How does it taste?"
"Delicious, I'd like to order from them again, this is almost as good as the Chinese food I get back home."
They ate in silence, communicating only by smiles. No matter what her feelings for Lucas were, he had a way of ingratiating himself. What was it, his smiles, his eyes, who knew?
Something was telling her to be wary of him, no matter how she might like to succumb to his charms. Let her get better, let her get her altar finished, and start doing rituals again. She would claim her memory back, find out what happened to her, and see if she could do something about it.
Lucas took their now empty plates and carried them to the kitchen. "Come here," he said in his deep, low voice, it was a command that could not be disobeyed.
"I can't do anything," she warned, "The doctor said to wait at least a week, to let my body tell me when it was ready."
"I won't do anything you don't want me to do," Lucas murmured, "I only want to make you feel good, I wouldn't do anything to hurt you, you must know that."
Oh goddess, please tell me that isn't true, he's lying, I know he's lying, but about what? Did the witches of old find the devil irresistible, or was that just a story? Has Lucas Buck set his sights on me, and what will I do if he has?" Oh, she thought as he lowered the bodice of her dress and put his mouth on her breast. God help me, she thought, if he becomes insistent, I don't know if I have the strength to say no.