The Unkindest Cut - By Honor Hartman Page 0,53

have,’’ I said, putting my hands up to feel around on my head, now that I was sitting up. I found a small bump on the back of my head. Fortunately for me, my hair is really thick, so the impact had been cushioned, even though I had blacked out.

‘‘Maybe you hit this log,’’ Sophie said.

I turned my head a bit. ‘‘Yes, you’re probably right. But something struck me, hard, and that’s what made me fall.’’

‘‘Can you sit up by yourself?’’

‘‘Yes,’’ I said.

Sophie released me and stood up. She examined the trail around us, then started poking with a long, thick branch into the underbrush on either side.

I watched her idly for a moment, trying to gather my wits. I still felt a bit dazed.

‘‘How did you happen to find me?’’ I asked.

‘‘I decided I wanted some fresh air, just to get away from the bridge table for a little while,’’ Sophie said, ‘‘and I decided to come looking for you. It’s a good thing I did.’’

She stopped poking with the branch and stared down at something about six feet away from where I sat. ‘‘There’s a really big rock here, and it looks to me like somebody dropped it here recently.’’ She bent down for a closer look. ‘‘I bet it weighs about ten pounds. Something like that thrown at you could certainly knock you over.’’

‘‘Come help me up,’’ I said, reaching out a hand.

‘‘Are you sure you’re ready? Maybe you should sit there a little bit longer.’’ Sophie came over to me, but she didn’t offer to help me up.

‘‘Yes, I’m ready. This ground is cold and a little bit damp. I’ll be okay,’’ I said.

‘‘All right.’’ Sophie dropped the branch and took hold of my hands. With her aid I got to my feet, though I was a bit wobbly for a moment.

‘‘Okay?’’ Sophie asked.

‘‘Yes. My back is stiff from that cold ground, and from the rock someone threw at me. But a hot shower will help.’’

‘‘What about your head?’’ Sophie said. ‘‘I’m afraid you might have a concussion.’’

‘‘I don’t think so,’’ I said, thinking about it for a moment. ‘‘My head is clear now, and my vision is fine. The back of my head is a bit sore, but I don’t have a headache or anything.’’

‘‘You blacked out, didn’t you?’’

‘‘Yes, but I don’t know for how long.’’

‘‘Then you need to see a doctor,’’ Sophie said. ‘‘I’m going to get you back to the hotel, and we’ll see about having your head examined.’’

I couldn’t help laughing at that.

‘‘Emma, you know what I meant,’’ Sophie said, sounding exasperated.

‘‘I know,’’ I said, ‘‘but it just struck me as funny.’’

‘‘Come on,’’ Sophie replied. She slipped an arm around my waist. ‘‘Let’s go back to the hotel.’’

‘‘Where’s my purse?’’ Suddenly I remembered that I’d had a bag with me.

‘‘Right here,’’ Sophie said. Releasing me for a moment, she stepped a pace away and bent down to pick up my bag. Straightening, she handed it to me. ‘‘You should probably check to see if anything has been taken.’’

‘‘Let’s get out of these woods first,’’ I said. ‘‘It’s getting cooler in here, and I want to feel some warm sunshine.’’

‘‘Of course,’’ Sophie said. Once more she put her arm around me, and off we went.

We reached the edge of the woods about seven or eight minutes later. I had gone farther along the trail into the woods than I had realized.

I stood blinking in the sunlight for a moment while my eyes adjusted. My vision was clear, and my eyes didn’t seem to be unduly sensitive to the light. I opened my bag and rummaged for my sunglasses. Once I had them on, I examined the contents of the bag more carefully while Sophie watched.

‘‘Looks like everything’s here,’’ I said. ‘‘All my credit cards, my cash, everything.’’

‘‘Okay,’’ Sophie said. ‘‘Then let’s get back to the hotel and see about that doctor.’’

Slowly we made our way back to the hotel. My back would probably be stiff as all get-out by tonight, but I hoped that would be the worst of it.

‘‘Why did someone throw that big rock at me?’’ I asked. ‘‘And who was it?’’

‘‘I was wondering the same things myself,’’ Sophie admitted. ‘‘But I didn’t want to say anything, in case you didn’t want to talk about it right now.’’

‘‘If someone wasn’t trying to rob me,’’ I said, ‘‘then why?’’

‘‘Maybe someone’s angry with you.’’

‘‘I guess so,’’ I said. ‘‘But who could I have made angry?’’

Sophie snorted with laughter. ‘‘Well, Veronica Hinkelmeier, for one.