Chapter 14

Back safely inside the Sheriff's office, Jessica watched in horror as blood spurted out from Seth's leg.

Her face was white as a sheet, "Seth, you've been shot!"

She knelt down and Seth was already removing his jacket.

"Yeah, but luckily it missed any arteries and it went through and through, Jess. Nothin' to be upset about!" he assured her. Although his words were nonchalant, his voice was shaky, "but I need you to stay calm because I do need help, Jess. That's right...breathe in and out...now, I need to sit in a chair so I can elevate my leg. Then use my jacket here to wrap it just above my wound as hard as you can!"

So much to do, but Jessica was up to the task.

He hobbled over to a chair with Jessica's help and then she brought another chair for his injured leg. She then quickly began to wrap the sleeves of his jacket around his leg.

"Ow! What the Sam Hill!" Seth grimaced.

"Seth, I'm sorry! Did I wrap it too tight?"

"No, it's good, it's good..." Seth sucked in his breath, "but it doesn't mean it doesn't hurt like the dickens!"

"Are you doing okay?" Jessica asked, "because I need to go over and call 911 now."

"I'm fine. Go on..." he said.

As she dashed to the phone, the door burst opened with Mort and Logan, bleeding from the arm. Seth checked Logan's wound and verified it was luckily a flesh wound. Jessica quickly gave the dispatch the required information and hung up. Without saying a word, she then removed her jacket and began to wrap it around Logan's arm as he sat.

"Don't worry," she said, "I consider myself an expert on this now. The ambulance from the county hospital will be here soon."

"Uh...thanks," Logan said.

Seth, though still in pain, asked, "So, Mort... did you see... who was shooting at us?"

"No, the person got away," Mort had a disgusted look as he shook his head back and forth, "I should have been more aware, should have been faster!"

"You can't blame yourself for a madman shooter," Jessica understandably reasoned.

"Well, I'm going back out there, see if there's any traces of the shooter," he stated while looking at the other three, "Everyone going to be alright?"

"You just be careful out there!" Jessica warned him, "the shooter may not have even left the area yet."

"I will, don't worry," he said as he left.

#

At the hospital, Logan's left shoulder and Seth's right leg, were both diagnosed as being non-life threatening. Luckily for both the bullet passed through leaving an entry and an exit wound of a fleshy part of their bodies and did not cause any real damage. Just a lot of blood and pain.

Both men were recovering after receiving blood transfusions. They had an armed guard at Seth's door, and both had to remain in the hospital overnight for observations.

Jessica was in the hospital all day. If she wasn't in the waiting room, she was in the actual hospital room, either visiting Logan or of course, especially, Seth. Although Seth enjoyed her company, he really didn't need her hovering over him, especially since his injury wasn't life threatening.

"Don't you've got other things to do, Woman?" Seth asked her, "You've got other responsibilities; that big house of yours needs tidin', and that garden needs tendin' , while your book needs some writin'!"

But Jessica knew exactly why Seth made that comment that maybe she should be doing other things. He was thinking more about her needs than his own.

"Seth Hazlitt, I've done all my house chores already and I'm not in the mood for doing any kind of writing because I'm suffering from writer's block...so I guess you're stuck with me!"

"Writer's block, my foot!" Seth was not convinced, "My good foot, at least! And if 'writer's block' (he air-quoted that phrase) is what you're distressed about, maybe I can help with your strugglin'!"

Jessica lifted an eyebrow, "You think so, Seth? You think you'll be able get my story started for me?"

"Ayuh, I know I can!" he stated confidently, although his eyes looked mischievous.

At least Seth was distracted.

Jessica challenged him, "The floor is all yours, Dr. Hazlitt, please help me with the opening chapter..."

"I will do that!" Seth said confidently, "Just give me the name of your heroine; otherwise, I will give her the name of either Myrtle or Gertrude!"

"Don't you dare do that to my character!" Jessica warned, a slight smile to her lips, "My heroine's name is, Ella, for your information. So proceed with my mystery story, please."

"Al-right, I will," Seth determinedly said as he looked up at the ceiling to think and then as if a light bulb went on, he looked back at Jessica, and with a smile, he began:

"Fall had just begun in Cabot Cove, Maine. The days had turned more brisk, transformin' the trees into a breathtakin' palette of red, yellows and oranges. Still, it was a day like any other workday when Ella..." he tried to think of a last name, "Vaderfound the detective stoopin' over the dead body-."

"-Wait," Jessica interrupted, "Her name is 'elevator'?"

"Not elevator," Seth deadpanned, "Ella Vader! A fine, FINE name!"

Jessica managed a straight face but barely, "Go on."

Seth cleared his throat, "'The detective asked Ella, "Do you recognize this man?" but it was hard for him to maintain a professional demeanor, for Detective Marshall Law..." he heard Jessica snicker at the name, "...was taken in by Ella's beauty. It was her eyes that totally captivated him. To him, Ella's eyes reminded him of the glorious stars that shone above at night. Not because they twinkled, but because they were so far apart...and THAT'S the end of chapter one!"

But Jessica was already laughing.

"That was the worst story ever, Seth!"

"What do you mean? It has ALL the makin's of a best-seller!" he claimed.

Jessica was looking lovingly at him and it made his heart thump in his chest. She reached out and grazed his cheek, making him want to get out of here as soon as possible.

"Jess," he was now sincere as he gently as he touched her hand, "I'm sorry we won't be able to go out to the movies and dinner tomorrow. They're keepin' me in here for one more day."

The feel of Jessica's hand was warm and feminine. Just feeling a touch from him still caused knots in his stomach. Their gazes were intricately locked. It was as though they had forgotten that Logan was in the room.

"Oh, Seth, there'll be plenty of other times for us to go on that first date," she promised, "after all, we can't disappoint the ladies at Loretta's now, can we?"

The hospital door opened and Mort entered. Greetings from everyone was exchanged.

"Are you ready to go, Mrs. F?" Mort asked Jessica.

"Go?" Seth looked surprised, "She's just got here!"

"Weren't you the one who wanted me to go and do some writing?" Jessica pointed out.

"But with my help, that part is completed!" Seth reasoned.

"Huh?" Mort asked.

"You don't want to know," Jessica said, stifling a smile.

"Where are you two goin' anyway?" Seth wanted to know, "Does it have to do with the case?"

"It does," Mort said, "we plan to talk with Greg and Garrett Reynolds. There's a part of me that wishes they aren't guilty of killing Bert and the attempted murder of you and the Doc here, because they're just boys, but another part of me that wants them guilty so that this is done and over with!"

"Hopefully we'll be closer to knowing that answer by talking with them," Jessica said.

"I should be goin' too," Seth wistfully complained.

"We'll be sure to keep you updated," Mort promised and then he turned to Jessica, "Come on, Mrs. F."

She leaned over and kissed Seth on the forehead, "I'll see you soon."

"Be careful, Jess," he told her.

"I will."

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