The Secrets of Bailey

Chapter 13

Jake sat staring at Kaitie. He had seen someone wearing black before he lost consciousness. The clothing looked odd, and the person might have been wearing some form of homemade camouflage, but it was a human being. That was the only thing it could have been.

“Nurse Kaitie, I might have a head injury and be a little confused, but I know what I saw. It was a man dressed in black. He was walking toward me when I blacked out. He must have seen me fall and been the one to deliver me to your doorstep,” Jake said.

Kaitie laughed, “What you saw was not human. Your friend is correct when he says things live in this forest.”

Jake frowned at her. He felt like he was the butt of a private joke between Kaitie and the rest of the town. Since he was an outsider, he did not understand it.

“You should not make fun of your patients, Nurse Bailey,” Jake huffed.

“I am not making fun of you. You learned the hard way why you were warned to stay out of that forest. The things that live out there are not to be messed with,” Kaitie spat.

“I fell. That is what happened to me. There was nothing out there other than locals trying to scare me off,” Jake said.

He turned his head quickly to look at Kaitie and instantly regretted it. There was a sharp, stabbing pain in the side of his head as the world spun around him. His stomach lurched as he fought to keep down the few bites he had eaten so far. He closed his eyes and took a slow, deep breath to help regain his senses. He opened them when he felt Kaitie take his wrist to check his pulse.

Kaitie’s tone softened as she said, “Professor, you need to lie still and not move any more than necessary. The concussion you have is going to make you violently ill if you move suddenly.” She sighed and continued, “Would you like something different to eat? I have some chicken noodle soup in the freezer that I can warm for you.”

“Thank you for the offer, but this is fine. Don’t tell Rhonda, but I think this even beats the meals I had at the café,” Jake sheepishly said with a hint of a grin playing on his lips.

“Your secret is safe with me,” Kaitie laughed.

Her laugh was musical as it filled the room. Jake looked into her blue eyes and saw the laughter and joy in them. He would have been happy to get lost in them all night. It was the first time since waking that he had truly looked at her.

Kaitie wore an oversized sweater and leggings, which somehow accentuated her figure without showing anything. Her red hair was in a loose braid that fell over her shoulder and came nearly to her waist. Kaitie had been angry at the café, and her features appeared harsh. Now, as she laughed and smiled, they were soft and delicate. Kaitie Bailey was breathtaking, and it would not be easy to be in her cabin with her for what could be many days.

“Are you feeling well enough to finish your meal?” Kaitie asked.

“I think so. I just have to remember not to move suddenly,” Jake said as he took another bite.

“That will apply for several days and possibly weeks. This is not something that you will recover from overnight, especially if you have had concussions in the past,” Kaitie explained before she returned to her meal.

Kaitie finished eating well before Jake. She excused herself briefly to take her plate to the kitchen and retrieve her book. She sat quietly reading, chewing on her thumbnail as she did. That made Jake smile. He thought it was adorable that she would become so engrossed in the story that she would do that.

Jake asked, “Is that a good book?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah,” Kaitie replied as she felt her cheeks redden. “I wasn’t sure what it would be like when I got it, but I really like it so far. I can see this being one that I read over and over, especially when the weather is like this. It is set in the mountains after a snowstorm, so it fits to read it now.”

“I am kicking myself for not staying home and working my way through the mammoth stack of books I want to read. I have a habit of collecting them and never getting around to sitting and enjoying them. I had to schedule specific times to read my last book, or I wouldn’t have taken the time,” Jake said before taking his last bite of dinner.

“I used to be like that,” Kaitie said as a wave of sadness swept over her face. “But then I learned that things can change in the blink of an eye, and I needed to enjoy the little things in life.”

“After this, I am going to make a point of that, too,” Jake said as Kaitie stepped to the bed and took his tray.

“While you are here recovering, if you can focus your eyes and it does not give you a headache, you can read some of my books,” Kaitie smiled. “My nurse, Allie, claims I have more books than the county library in town. Sadly, I probably do run a pretty close second.”

“I’m afraid I might give you some competition for second place when it comes to that. My soon-to-be ex-friend Bobby has always given me a hard time about the number of books I own. I can’t help it. I have always considered books a way to travel to magical worlds and make new friends without leaving your favorite chair.”

“That might be the first and only thing we ever agree on, professor.”

“Please, call me Jake. I only make my students call me professor,” Jake said with a chuckle that turned into a groan.

“Fine. Jake, it is. You can drop the nurse and just call me Kaitie,” Kaitie said, slipping back to a curt tone. “I will be right back. Would you like something for dessert? I have chocolate chip cookies and ice cream.”

“No, thank you. As delicious as that sounds, I’m afraid to eat more because of how my stomach feels when I move.”

“Wise choice.”

Kaitie took the tray and left the room. Jake closed his eyes as he relaxed into the pillows, propping him up. He had barely been able to keep his eyes open while eating, and now it was nearly impossible. The only thing keeping him conscious was the pain in his throbbing head and ribs. He knew that by tomorrow, his entire body would be aching.

“Jake?” Kaitie said as she retook his pulse. “Are you feeling alright?”

“My head and ribs are killing me, and I can’t stay awake,” Jake replied.

“I’m afraid it will be a long night for both of us. Because of your concussion, I will have to wake you often to ensure that you are not getting worse. At least that is better than the old method of keeping you awake entirely,” Kaitie said with a smile.

“Yeah, I remember doing that years ago when I was in high school. I was helping my granddad break a horse, and it threw me right into the side of the barn. My grandma was ready to string him up for letting me on that horse. I think that was the only time I ever saw her mad,” Jake said.

“So you aren’t a city boy after all,” Kaitie chuckled. “Or maybe you are, and that is how you got thrown.”

“I’m not. I grew up on my grandparents' farm. My parents were more interested in their next drink than me, so they raised me. I would have been happy to stay on the farm and work it with them, but they wanted more for me, so they insisted I go to school. Finding arrowheads in their fields after they were plowed is what made me become an anthropology professor.”

“Do you want to call them?”

“They passed away years ago.”

Kaitie softly asked, “Is there anyone else you want me to call for you? A family member to let them know what happened?”

“I don’t have any. My parents drank themselves to death before I ever made it to high school. My grandparents passed away when I was in college. My grandmother died of cancer, and my grandfather died of a massive heart attack hours later. I’m an only child, and so were both of my parents. I have a few distant cousins but haven’t seen them in years and have no way of reaching them.”

“I’m sorry. What about your friend Bobby?” Kaitie asked as she carefully sat at the foot of the bed.

“If you do that, he will be up here snooping, and I don’t want that for anyone,” Jake sighed. “I’m on my own and will be stuck here until I can drive back to Lexington.” Jake groaned, “My car. It’s parked in the lot at the trailhead. I hope it isn’t destroyed or stolen by the time I leave.”

“I will arrange for it to be brought here as soon as the weather clears enough. Try not to worry. I can’t remember anyone ever having a vehicle stolen in the town. Is there anything you need before I sit down and get pulled back into my book?” Kaitie grinned.

Jake grew embarrassed before he said, “I’m afraid I need to use the bathroom, but I don’t know if I can walk there without falling or throwing up.”

“Do you have to go number one or number two?” Kaitie asked in a matter-of-fact tone.

“Number one.”

“That makes it easier. Do you think you can use a urinal bottle without spilling it on the bed?”

“I think so if I can sit up.”

“I can help you do that. Let me get the urinal for you. And before you ask or make any smart remarks, this house ends up being used quite a bit for cases like yours. I keep things here to treat the patients and give them the best care possible.”

Kaitie stood and left the room without waiting for Jake to reply. That made him smile. She had already shown a softer side, yet she kept her fiery personality on the surface, ready to emerge at the drop of a hat. Jake scolded himself. He was already in love with Kaitie and he did not even know her.

He heard the soft, hurried footsteps of stocking feet on the wooden floor as Kaitie returned to his room. As she entered, she was carrying the plastic urinal bottle and smiling at him. Jake started to move the covers he was under, and that was when he realized he was naked.

“Um, Kaitie? Where are my clothes?” Jake asked.

“Oh, sorry about that. We had to cut them off so we could check for injuries and treat you. I’m sorry to say that your clothes are in a pile over there. We also had to cut the tips off your backpack straps so we could get them off you. Those should be easy to repair since we cut right against the fold that wouldn’t go through the buckle,” Kaitie told him.

“Thank you for not cutting the straps up high. You’re right. It will be an easy fix. As for the clothing, I’m not worried about it. They are easily replaced. I meant, I’m naked, and you will see everything if I sit up to use that,” Jake said as his face reddened.

Kaitie pursed her lips tightly and snorted before she replied, “Jake, I have already seen all of you. And I do mean all of you. I had to do a full trauma assessment to find out the extent of your injuries. Besides, I am a medical professional. You are not the first naked man I have seen.”

Jake sighed and pushed the blankets lower, still keeping his groin covered. He was usually far from shy, but for some reason, Kaitie made him that way. He wanted her to think of him as strong and capable, not weak and injured, needing her to help him complete basic bodily functions.

“Jake? Are you ready?

“Yeah,” Jake croaked.

“There is nothing to be shy or embarrassed about. Everyone needs help from time to time. This is one of those times. Now, let me help you sit up and pivot around so your legs are off the bed. I will repeat, do not hit me or throw up on me,” Kaitie grinned. “Put your arms around my neck like last time. Then, I need you to slide your legs off the bed as I help you turn. Can you do that?”

“I hope so.”

Kaitie sat the urinal on the nightstand before she leaned forward to help Jake move. Feeling his arms around her made goosebumps rise on her arms, making her glad she was wearing the sweater. She held her breath as she watched his muscles ripple under his skin as he moved.

When he was sitting, she inadvertently stole a glance at his manhood as she grabbed the bottle from the nightstand. That made the heat rise in her face and between her legs. She had paid little attention earlier, but now, she saw how well-endowed he was, and it made her feel things she was not supposed to feel for a patient.

Kaitie ensured Jake was ready before she closed her eyes and turned her head away, giving him as much privacy as possible. Listening to him relieve himself did nothing to quell the impure thoughts she kept having about him. She silently cursed herself as an image of him naked in her bedroom popped into her head.

“I’m done,” Jake quietly said.

“Do you want to sit up while I dump this or lay down before I do?” Kaitie asked, still trying to avert her eyes.

“Sit here if you don’t mind. I’m already getting stiff.”

“OK,” Kaitie said.

She took the bottle from him and hurried to the bathroom. Katie quickly disposed of the contents and noted the amount to ensure Jake’s kidneys continued to function correctly. When she went back into the bedroom, she was not prepared to see Jake standing beside the bed, fully exposing himself to her.

“What are you doing?!” Kaitie exclaimed as she stared at him, frozen in place. “Sit down before you fall down!”

“I’m alright. My leg was cramping, so I stood to stop it. I held onto the bedpost the entire time to keep my balance,” Jake argued.

“I don’t care why you did it. You should have yelled for me to come and help you so you didn’t risk falling,” Kaitie scolded as she went to him and helped him sit again. “If you hit your head again before you heal, you will be in serious trouble.”

“So what do you want me to do? Have you massage my legs for me if it happens again?” Jake snapped as Kaitie helped him lay back on the bed.

“If that is what it takes to keep you from killing yourself, then yes!” Kaitie sniped back at him as she yanked the covers over him. “I was hoping you would be a good patient, but it looks like you will be a pain in my backside because you won’t listen.”

“I did listen, and you never said I could not stand. You asked me if I could sit by myself. I could, and I did.”

“And then you did more. I am going to have to stay in the room with you to keep you from hurting yourself,” Kaitie fumed. “All I wanted during this storm was to have some quiet time to myself. I wanted to read my book by the fire, pet my cat, and let everything else go. But no. I am stuck dealing with you and the consequences of your actions.”

Jake sighed as Kaitie stormed out of the room. He chastised himself for standing. He knew he was not supposed to, but he did it anyway. A few minutes later, Kaitie stomped back into the room carrying a blanket and pillow. She threw them on the opposite side of the bed and proceeded to lie down and make herself comfortable.

“What are you doing?” Jake asked.

“Hopefully, keeping you from killing yourself,” Kaitie said as she picked up the TV remote and turned it on. “I hope you like watching true-crime documentaries because that is what I am in the mood for.”

“That’s fine,” Jake sighed.

He settled in and was soon drifting on the edge of sleep. Jake felt Kaitie stand and waited several seconds to hear her picking up her book from the chair before returning to the bed. Jake was picturing Kaitie chewing on her thumb as she read when he dozed off.