Deeper than the Night - By Amanda Ashley Page 0,103
examined the wound. It wasn't deep and didn't look serious, unless it became infected, but she had lost a lot of blood and that worried him.
He washed the wound with soap and water, then swore under his breath as he ripped a clean white sheet into strips and bandaged her side. He didn't have so much as an aspirin to give her for the pain. But that couldn't be helped now.
He dressed quickly in a pair of black Levi's and a black sweater, pulled on a pair of black cowboy boots, then went to the small desk beside the bed. Opening the top drawer, he removed the cash he kept on hand for emergencies and shoved it into his pants pocket; then, unlocking the bottom drawer, he withdrew a two-inch .38 Special which he tucked under his shirt at the small of his back. Then, lifting Kara into his arms, he carried her downstairs and went into the den to get Gail.
"Is she all right?"
"She'll be fine. Hand me my checkbook there on the desk, will you? Thanks." He slipped it into his back pocket. "Ready, Gail? Then let's go."
He stopped at an all-night drugstore. Leaving Gail in the car with Kara, he went into the store, gathering all the first-aid supplies he thought he might need. He asked the clerk where the alcohol was, and when the young man went to get it for him, Alex grabbed a couple of syringes from behind the counter and stuck them inside his jacket.
It was near dawn when Alex pulled into a motel. He went in alone to register, requesting a room toward the back.
Kara was awake when he returned to the car.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Horrible. Where are we?"
"A motel about forty miles from Eagle Flats. We'll stay here today."
"Do you think it's safe?"
"No one's following us as near as I can tell."
"I'm hungry," Gail said.
"We'llsend out for something as soon as I look after your sister." Opening the door, he lifted Kara into his arms.
"I can walk."
"Do you want to?"
"No." She wrapped her arms around his neck and closed her eyes. So many times, she'd been afraid she'd never see him again and now he was here, holding her, his dark eyes filled with love and concern.
"Do you guys want to be alone?"
Alex glanced at Gail, grinning when he saw the look on her face. "What do you think?"
"I think you should have got two rooms."
Alex shook his head. "We can't take a chance on leaving you alone. Here." He tossed her the room key. "How about opening the door?"
"And then get our bags," Kara added.
Gail grimaced. "Now I know why you brought me along," she muttered. "Gail, open the door. Gail, get the bags."
Alex laughed softly as he handed her the car keys.
"I'd do it myself, but my hands are full."
"Yeah, yeah," Gail said irritably, but she was smiling as she walked toward the car.
Inside the room, Alex placed Kara on the bed. "Let's get you out of those bloody things," he said.
"Let's kiss instead."
"Kara . . .'
"Please, Alex, just one kiss?"
How could he refuse? Cupping her face in his hands, he kissed her gently. Sensations swamped him. Warm, soft lips, the scent of her skin and hair, the touch of her hands sliding up and down his back, massaging the sensitive skin of his spine. He remembered all the nights he had ached for her touch, yearned for the sound of her voice, the comfort of her smile . . .
Abruptly, he drew back, his gaze searching hers. "Kara . . ." He swallowed hard as he placed one hand over her abdomen. "Kara?"
"It's true," she said quietly. "I'm pregnant."
His first reaction was one of joy. She saw it dance in the depths of his eyes, in the smile that lit his face. And then, as quickly as it had appeared, it was gone.
"I'm happy, Alex, happy about the baby. I want you to be happy, too."
"How can I be?" He dropped to his knees beside the bed and buried his face in her lap. She was pregnant. The thing he had feared most had come to pass. He closed his eyes against the pain that slashed through his heart. What if she died? How could he live with the knowledge that loving him had killed her?
"Alex, please."
He lifted his head, his black eyes dull with pain. "We'll find a doctor."
"A doctor? For what?"
"There's still time."
She stared down at him. "You're talking about an abortion, aren't you?"