Bearly Holding On Read Online Free PDF Page A

took a deep breath.
    How did I end up here? he thought as the small woman tapped him gently on the shoulder.
    “Sorry, sir!” the woman said, pushing her glasses up higher on her nose. “Could you spell her name for me, please?”
    Mati shook his head in bewilderment and did as he was asked.
    A couple hours later, an orderly walked out with a small bag and looked over at Mati.
    “She's going to be fine, sir,” he said, handing the bag to him. “She's got a pretty nasty bump on her head and a bad case of whiplash. We want to keep her overnight for observation, but she's really fighting it. Could you maybe talk some sense into her?”
    “I barely know the woman!” Mati grumbled, his stern voice making the orderly nervous. Mati sighed. “I'll go talk to her. Lead the way, man, before I change my mind.”
    The orderly quickly ushered him down the hall, dodging doctors and nurses that stopped and stared at the large man.
    “She's in here, and she's been asking for you,” the orderly explained as Mati entered the room.
    He took in his surroundings and looked at Awen, who was hooked up to an I.V. drip. Wires covered her body, monitoring her vitals. Mati felt claustrophobic in such a tiny room. His inner bear began to feel caged. He calmed his nerves as he walked over to Awen in the bed.
    “You didn't leave,” she murmured softly. “I figured you'd have hightailed it by now.”
    “I leave no one behind,” he answered gruffly. “You should stay, as the medicine man says.”
    Awen laughed at his choice of words.
    “You're really old world, aren't you?” she muttered. She tried to sit up, but the room began to spin. “Bad idea. I just want to go home...I hate hospitals. I always feel—”
    “Caged,” he finished for her. “I get that.”
    She smiled softly at him. In this light, she got a good look at his face as he peered down at her. His dark eyes seemed aged and so tired. She wondered what made him appear to be so old, yet so beautiful. She wanted to lock her fingers in his hair and fall asleep beside him. She knew the idea was insane; they had just met, but at the moment she didn't care about the thoughts that swirled around in her brain. The pain meds were tossing her inhibitions out the window.
    “Tell them to let me go home,” she whined to him. “I can't sleep like this.”
    “I think that's the point,” he told her.
    “Please,” she pleaded with him, looking sincerely terrified at the thought of staying.
    Mati sighed and took a few moments to think. He didn't feel comfortable letting her stay home alone...assuming she was alone. A few moments later, the doctor came in.
    “Awen, has your friend changed your mind?” he asked sternly. “I really cannot recommend you going home alone in this condition.”
    “She won't be going home alone,” Mati spoke up. “She'll be coming with me.”
    “What is your relationship with the patient?” the doctor asked.
    “I don't see how that is any of your business,” Mati answered, turning to face the doctor completely.
    “She hit her head, sir,” the doctor explained. “I'm sure you can reasonably understand that I can't let her go home with just anyone.”
    “Please, don't make me stay here,” Awen begged the doctor anxiously.
    “You know if you leave it will be without the meds that are keeping your nausea down,” the doctor told her. “And no pain medication.”
    “I don't care,” she said, tears welling up in her eyes.
    “So be it,” the doctor snapped. “I'll grab your release forms.”
    Before he was able to leave, Mati grabbed the doctor's arm with enough force to cause discomfort.
    “Sir, you better—” the doctor began, but Mati quickly interrupted.
    “You better listen,” he growled, stepping close enough for only the doctor to hear. “You will be sending her home with everything she needs to be comfortable under my care. Do you understand?”
    “How about I press charges for—”
    “How about I split your skull?” Mati