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Dr. Alvaro had stitches over his eye, opposite his scar. It just added to his rough pirate appeal, Bailey thought, as she limped into the hospital at Clay’s side. She hadn’t wanted to come to the hospital, but Clay had insisted. The instant they’d crossed into an area with a cell signal, Clay dialed Jeremy.
She’d called Jake. He and Liam were fine. He was still trying to find his father.
It wasn’t like Bert to not check in. Bailey tried again while waiting in the small exam room at Barratt County Gen. The hospital was obviously overrun. She hadn’t hurt herself that badly. Not so much that she couldn’t work.
Clay was especially needed. He’d called the mayor. Fifteen minutes later, a bulletin had gone out that canceled search-and-rescue that had been called out for them. Clay’s TSP Tahoe had been found earlier that morning, at least.
But it was reported to be a total loss.
She didn’t care. She wanted to get back to Value and find Bert.
And check on a few other people she’d called. She had several friends from W4HAV who had been injured. Some severely.
Bailey was sitting on the exam table when Dr. Alvaro and Clay both walked in. “Well? What’s wrong? When can I get back to work?”
“Under the current circumstances, I’m leaving that decision up to you and the sheriff. I know it’s every hand on deck now.” Alvaro took the stool next to the exam table and rolled closer. He indicated for her to raise her knee. He poked around on it for a minute. “You’ve done some damage. The swelling should go back down in a few weeks. Nothing is broken, but it’s more than a strain. I want you off the leg for at least a week. Use crutches. Ice and heat when necessary. Anti-inflammatories. I’m sure you know the drill. You’ve had some damage to this knee before?”
“Yes.” When she’d been in that mine with Kyra, forced to crawl on her hands and knees in the dark and mud. She shivered. She wasn’t going to think about that now. “I’ve dealt with it before.”
“Then you’ll know what to do. Injured anywhere else?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Then you’re free to go. We’ll get you a pair of crutches and send you on your way. Use them. Or you could be facing a few weeks of PT and more extensive treatment.”
He nodded at her and Clay, then started out the door. Before he left, he looked back at her. “You and Dr. Netorre, you’re friends?”
“Yes. Not close, but we’re friends.” And Nikkie Jean was one of the ones who had been hurt by the storm.
“Have you heard from her? She’s ok?”
Bailey shook her head. There was something in his eyes... “I don’t know. All I heard was that she was at the hospital where she works. That’s it.”
“Thanks. I’ll go there when I get a chance.”