Song of the Surf (Pacific Shores Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

such loyalty from his friends? When it came down to tallying pros and cons for potential men to date, “previous prisoner” was definitely a big mark in the “con” column. Not to mention his obvious thrill seeking, daredevil, need-for-speed side. But in the “pro” column she’d have to mark down a man who’d slept the whole night in an uncomfortable chair for a woman he barely knew just so she’d have someone close by in case she needed anything. And those blue eyes that probed every nuance of her face with a soft compassion that drew her like a warm fire on a cold day. Definitely those.
    She gave up trying to understand the complex swirl of emotions spinning through her, pushed the food tray away, and sank against the softness of the pillows.
    Unfortunately, exhausted as she was, sleep remained elusive. First the doctor came in on his morning rounds. He double checked all her injuries, assessed the response of her pupils to light, listened to her heartbeat, and checked her blood pressure and pulse. He offered her a gentle smile. “You are lucky, young lady. Your injuries could have been much worse.”
    Dakota swallowed. “Yeah, I think God was watching out for me. I was sitting at my desk right where the tree fell only moments before it happened.”
    The doctor gave a little whistle. “Well, however you were spared, you’ve managed to escape with only a slight concussion, a few stitches, and injuries that will heal within a few weeks.” He jotted something in her chart. “I’ll write up the order for your discharge and you are free to leave as soon as the nurse brings by your prescription for pain killers. The stitches on your forehead will dissolve on their own, and I’ll take a look at them at our appointment next week.” He glanced at her chart again. “I see you’ve had malaria. Had any flare-ups recently?”
    “No.” She shook her head.
    “Good. Well…” He stood. “We’ll get you out of here as soon as we can.”
    Dakota figured she’d better hear the bad news straight from the horse’s mouth if it was going to be bad news, so she took a breath and asked, “I’m in a wedding on Saturday. Will I be able to walk by then?”
    To her surprise the doctor nodded. “Your sprain isn’t too severe. I’d like you to wear this ankle boot until Friday, but I think it will be okay to remove it and participate in the wedding on Saturday. Just listen to your body. Too much pain means it’s not ready yet. Any other questions?”
    Relieved at the answer, Dakota shook her head.
    “Alright then…” The doctor stood and shook her hand. “Sometimes a trauma like this, especially one that results in exhaustion, can cause a relapse of the malaria. So please take it easy over the next few days for sure and give yourself lots of rest.”
    She smiled. “The way I feel now, my body will be demanding that from me.”
    “Good. Listen to it!”
    Dakota had just once more settled into her pillow to hopefully find a few moments of the doctor’s last prescription, when a knock at the open door revealed Pastor Mark poking his head inside.
    “Hi Pastor.” She waved him in. “Thanks for coming by.”
    Pastor shook his head as he approached. “I’m so glad you are okay!”
    Dakota made a face of regret. “I’m really sorry about House of Hope. Is it going to be fixable?”
    Pastor Mark held out a hand to reassure her. “Don’t you worry about a thing. The house is insured, and just a year ago the insurance company had a man come out and check over those trees at our request and expense. He gave them the all-clear to remain. So I have every confidence that the damage to the house will be fully covered. The most important thing is that you’re okay.”
    Relief washed through Dakota so palpably she realized how much her concern had been weighing on her. “I’m so glad to hear that.”
    He folded his arms. “Of course House of Hope has been condemned until repairs can be made. Police Chief Tom Hansen