This Heart of Mine by Brenda Novak Page A

son.
    Riley had to hand it to her. She was tougher than any woman he’d known. It was impressive how determined she was not to lean on him—literally or figuratively.
    As soon as they were gone, Riley grabbed Phoenix’s elbow, hanging on even when she tried to avoid the contact, and guided her to his truck. “Let’s get you to a doctor.”
    The second he mentioned doctor, she wrenched away from him. “No, I—I don’t need a doctor.”
    “He’ll check out that cut, tell us if it needs stitches.”
    “A doctor will cost money. And I...I have other plans for...for my income in the next while.”
    What income? He doubted she had any, but he couldn’t say that. “Phoenix...”
    “Stop,” she said. “I’ve had worse than this. This is nothing.”
    Watching her closely, he could see that she was dizzy. “Do it for Jacob’s peace of mind, then.”
    “Please, don’t.”
    “Don’t what?”
    “I haven’t got the money for a doctor. I’m sure you know that.”
    “
I’ll
look after the bill,” he said, but he should’ve known that wouldn’t convince her.
    She edged farther away from him. Then she started down the street at a faster clip than he felt she should. “I’m okay,” she called back. “Go take care of Jacob.”
    “Damn it, Phoenix.” He hurried after her. “Why do you have to be so stubborn? It won’t cost that much.”
    She hadn’t bothered to turn when he spoke, so he’d been talking to her back. “It’s a waste of money,” she told him over one shoulder. “I’m fine, like I said.”
    “It’s five miles to your place. You’ll never make it.”
    She made no comment.
    “Soon you won’t even be able to see where you’re going, what with all that blood.”
    Again, she didn’t respond. She’d managed to put a little distance between them and obviously thought she was getting away. But he wasn’t about to let her go. He had no idea whether she’d make it. So he jogged after her and swept her into his arms, which wasn’t hard since she didn’t weigh much.
    “Ah!” she cried. He’d startled her. She hadn’t expected that move. He guessed her head hurt, too, and being jarred hadn’t helped.
    “We’re doing this
my
way,” he said, and carried her to his truck.
    * * *
    Phoenix felt like throwing up. The pain, coupled with a heavy dose of embarrassment and regret, were getting to her. She never should’ve gotten into Jacob’s Jeep. Riley wouldn’t want to let Jake spend any time with her if he wasn’t safe in her company. That was all she could think about as she kept wiping the blood streaming from somewhere near her right eyebrow in an effort to keep it from staining the upholstery in Riley’s truck. She’d long since given up trying to save her new clothes.
    Riley looked grim as he drove. She could all too easily imagine what he was thinking. That he’d known it would be a nightmare to have her come home. That she should’ve gone anywhere but here. That she had no right to ruin his life a second time. And, worst of all, that Jacob was indeed better off without her.
    Too bad she didn’t feel well enough to change the situation. She’d have to wait it out and hope she’d still be allowed to communicate with Jacob on Facebook, and maybe go to his games, after this was all over.
    When they came to a stop at the only other light in town, Riley glanced over and must’ve seen that she was fighting a losing battle with the blood. She had nothing to wipe it with, so he took off his T-shirt.
    “Here. Use this.”
    She averted her gaze so she wouldn’t see his bare chest. Just accepting the T-shirt seemed too intimate. If she’d had a choice, she would’ve refused it, but the damn bleeding wouldn’t stop.
    Closing her eyes, she pressed the soft cotton to her head and then rested against the window to help keep it in place.
    “You okay?” he asked as they parked in front of a house she didn’t recognize.
    She didn’t bother to answer. She wasn’t okay, but that