Spectrum (Stone Society #14) - Faith Gibson Page 0,21
is in the system, they’ll find him.”
The doctor entered the room, interrupting their conversation, and Zeke rose to greet him. “Zeke Seymour. I’m Stella’s fiancé. Please tell us you have good news.” Zeke waited for Sheila to dispute him, but her focus was on the handsome doctor.
“Dr. Crabtree.” The man shook Zeke’s proffered hand, accepting Zeke’s title as the truth. “And you must be Miss Bentley’s sister,” Dr. Crabtree said to Sheila.
Sheila pushed her hair behind her ear as a blush rose on her cheeks. “I’m her mother, Sheila.”
“Sunny informed me Stella woke up for a few minutes and was coherent. This is good news. There are no fractures to either her orbital socket or her jaw. She does have a concussion, but it should heal in a week’s time. I’m going to keep her another night for observation, but if she’s alert during the day today and has no issues tonight, she can go home tomorrow.”
“Should we be waking her every couple hours because of the concussion? Did you do that last night?” Sheila asked first the doctor, then Zeke.
Dr. Crabtree’s face softened when he spoke to Sheila. “That isn’t necessary. There is no internal bleeding, therefore the best thing for Stella is rest.”
“We’ll make sure she gets it.” Zeke had no doubt Sheila would want to watch over Stella, and he would allow it for a day or two. Then he was going to insist Sheila return home so he could tend to his mate. Stella had mentioned how exhausting her mother could be, and he wouldn’t allow her to hinder Stella’s recovery.
“The police mentioned they’ll be here this morning to get Stella’s statement. Concentrating will be unpleasant for Stella, but it’s in her best interest to talk to them sooner rather than later so they can do their job in finding who did this to her.” Dr. Crabtree was speaking to them both, but he couldn’t keep his eyes off Sheila.
Sheila clutched her hands to her chest. “Thank you, Dr. Crabtree.”
“Please, call me Anson. I’ll be back later to check in. Will you still be here, Sheila?”
“Yes. I’ll be here.”
“Then I’ll see you soon.” The older man smiled at her.
Zeke thanked the doctor and walked him out, and when they opened the door, Bradley was waiting in the hallway.
“How is Stella?”
“Who are you?” Dr. Crabtree asked.
“I’m Bradley Calhoun, Stella’s boss. She’s a teacher at my high school. I’m the one who found her.” Bradley had been so focused on Dr. Crabtree that he hadn’t noticed Zeke. When he did, he scowled.
“Since you aren’t family, I’m not at liberty to discuss my patient. If the family wishes to talk to you, that is up to them.”
“He’s not family,” Bradley said, pointing to Zeke.
“He is Stella’s fiancé,” Dr. Crabtree responded. Bradley opened his mouth to argue, but two police officers stepped up beside him.
The female of the duo, Officer Dowd according to her nameplate, frowned at Bradley. “Mr. Calhoun? What are you doing here?”
“I came to check on Stella. Did you find who did this to her?” Bradley’s mood shifted, and a fine sheen of sweat appeared above his lip. Zeke would bet his beach house Bradley knew more than he had told.
“That’s why we’re here. Now if you’ll excuse us, we need to speak to Stella,” Officer Dowd said, dismissing Bradley by shouldering past him. “Did I hear correctly that you’re Miss Bentley’s fiancé?” she asked Zeke.
“Yes. Zeke Seymour. I was out of town when Stella was attacked. I got here as soon as possible.”
“Do you have anyone who can corroborate your whereabouts?”
“Absolutely. I went to visit my brother up in Montana. I can give you his contact information. I also have flight and rental car receipts if you’d like to see them.”
Officer Dowd produced a business card. “Please forward them to my email. Is Miss Bentley awake?”
“She wasn’t a few minutes ago.” Zeke gestured for the female to walk ahead of him into the room. When her partner was inside, Zeke shut the door in Bradley’s face before walking around Stella’s bed. He brushed a kiss against her forehead. “Stella? Baby, the officers need you to wake up and talk to them.”
“Zeke,” she murmured.
“I’m here, Love. Can you open your eyes for me?” Zeke couldn’t help but speak to Stella as though they had been together a while instead of having just met. He already knew she was his forever.
Stella blinked a few times, then focused on his face. Her smile was weak but instantaneous. “Hi.”