The Way Forward by Eliana West

Author:Eliana West
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance
ISBN: 9781951786922
Publisher: Tule Publishing Group, LLC
Published: 2020-08-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Dax was just getting ready to head over to the library when he heard the sound of breaking glass echo across the town square. He ran outside where he could see the jagged edges of what was left of the library window glinting in the sunlight.

Jacob came running down the stairs. “What was that?”

“The library,” Dax shouted over his shoulder as he took off running across the park. Callie stood at the window; her shaking hands and pale face stopped Dax in his tracks.

Jacob was right behind him. “We have some plywood at the bookstore we can use to board this up. I’ll take care of it.”

“Callie, stop, you’ll cut yourself,” Dax said as she reached down to pick up a large piece of glass.

She jerked up and red oozed from her hand where the glass had sliced into her skin. Dax grasped her hand. The glass fell to the floor and shattered again. He cradled her hand in his, pressing against the cut to stop the bleeding. Callie flinched and tried to pull away, but he continued to put pressure on the wound.

“Hold still. You might need stitches.”

“How about you let me be the judge of that?” Nate said, carefully stepping over the broken glass. He pried Callie’s hand away from Dax. “You were right to put pressure on it,” he said as he examined her palm. “Callie, do you have an emergency kit?”

She just stared down at her hand, her lip trembling.

“Where is it?” Dax asked.

“In-in the bathroom.”

Dax located the kit and rushed back to her side.

Nate nodded and turned his attention back to Callie. “I don’t think you need stitches, but I want to make sure this wound is cleaned.”

Dax started pulling out the supplies. Callie jumped as Jacob started hammering plywood over the open window frame. Nate worked quickly, cleaning the wound while Dax hovered anxiously over them.

“Callie, can you tell us what happened?” he asked as he applied antibiotic ointment and began to wrap her hand in gauze.

“I…I was in the back.” She began to tremble. “I didn’t see anything. I just heard the crash.” She pointed at the boarded-up window. “Grandpa had that glass painted,” she said as a single tear escaped and rolled down her cheek.

Dax couldn’t help wrapping his arms around Callie. He expected her to pull away, but she turned and buried her face in his shoulder. Nate raised his eyebrows and cleared his throat.

“I guess you don’t need anything else from me.”

“Thanks, Nate.” Dax nodded.

Callie sniffed and pulled out of his arms, wiping her eyes. “Thank you, Nate.” She turned to Dax. “I’m sorry, I’m okay now.”

Nate grunted and walked out just as Jacob walked in.

“I’ll start making calls and get a new window ordered.”

“Thank you, Jacob, but you don’t have to—”

Jacob frowned down at her and crossed his arms. “Darlin’, do you really think I’m going to let you take care of this?” He poked his chest. “I’m your contractor—let me do my job.”

“What the fuck!” Mae walked in.

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