his drinking and other women, she believed that. She waited for Pierce’s response, deciding not to add more.
“Don’t you mean you attempted suicide? After the pills, you were in the hospital for three days, and more recently, this man Wayde says you’ve been depressed. Now anxiety attacks.” He leaned back in his chair looking satisfied as if he’d just finished a winning summation.
“Attack—one anxiety attack. Depressed? No. Although considering the circumstances, I’d have reason to be. Besides, that has nothing to do with this. The pills were years ago. I was young. Stupid.” Feeling she was being cross-examined, she broke from his unrelenting gaze.
“Let’s see how things look tomorrow.” He closed the folder on his desk. “Sign up for one activity daily. Other than that, rest or walk the grounds a bit. The rain’s cleared up nicely from the storm last night. Beautiful day. We’ll keep your blood pressure monitored. It’s been fine. And we’ve medicated you for the anxiety, but you need to push fluids.” His phone rang. He picked it up and nodded her away.
Before she took two steps out of his office, her mind began racing, and her stomach turned. Obviously, he was in no hurry to release her. If he did, the only place she could go was with Wayde. She didn’t intend to have that happen, and if it did, she wasn’t staying with him long. She headed toward the nurse’s station to make a phone call. Getting a hold of Nick would be the simplest way out. If he’d talk to her. He was so angry when she left New York with Max, it was anyone’s guess how he would respond to hearing from her after all this time. She put on her most pleasant face and approached the nurse’s desk.
“Hi. I’d like to make a call to my husband, Nick Wentworth.” What she’d say when she reached him was still a mystery. Hello, this is your wife. Yes, the one who lives with another man. “I’m not sure why, but there’s no phone in my room.”
The nurse spun the carousel holding the charts. “Lakeside is an ‘unplugged’ health and wellness center. No cells, internet, or phone generally. You came in last night? Kinsley Wentworth? Ah, here you are.” Her finger scanned the first page.
She noticed the nurse’s hesitation. “I don’t think you have his number.” On impulse, she spieled it off.
“Um … Dr. Pierce didn’t authorize phone calls. It says here he wants you to avoid any outside stimulus that may cause anxiety
for the first twenty-four hours. I’m sorry. You’ll have to ask him tomorrow.” The nurse bunched her lips to one side, stressing her apology.
Perhaps calling Nick was a bad idea anyway. She should be with Max before she attempted to leave or get him back home. The way Wayde talked, she wouldn’t be surprised if even the local sheriff had his back. And she didn’t want to give him any time to pull anything if he found out she was leaving before Nick was able to get Max. Her lips pursed as she deliberated her next move. Unconsciously, she continued to stand there tapping her fingers in a three beat sequence. When she became aware of it, she stopped and smiled at the nurse.
“I really can’t do anything about it,” the nurse said.
Not wanting to cause a scene, she moved on to more immediate needs. “Dr. Pierce said I’m supposed to sign up for an activity. Can you tell me where and when they are?”
The nurse, having already returned to her work, popped her head up, lifted her arm, and pointed her in the approximate direction. “Go to the right, past the first three doors. The last bulletin board on the left.”
“Thanks.”
Kinsley stopped to consider the activities posted on the board. Nothing interesting popped out. Startled, she slapped her hand onto her chest and gasped. Jackson had come up from behind, without a sound, and slung his arm over her shoulder, pointing at the board. His masculine, deeply veined hand and forearm propped against the wall, leaving his tremendously well-cut upper body just inches from hers. His heat radiated against her back, and his bicep made her cheek toasty warm. He certainly wasn’t shy. It was somewhat endearing and oddly arousing, considering she wanted to swear off men and was willing to live in a loveless marriage with Nick to ensure Max’s future happiness. Bringing one more man into Max’s life wasn’t going to be an option. Why am I even