Among the Tulips Read Online Free Page A

floor. Shecould hear other noises from other beds around her, though the curtains blocked her view of the people in the cubicles. Light shone through the windows near where Victor had entered, and she was relieved to realize that not much time must have passed if it was still light out.
    â€œWhat happened?”
    The man who had been prodding her to sit up now pointed at a wheelchair before pointing at the bed.
    She didn’t understand him.
    Victor said something to him, and the man replied. Victor commented again in a sharper tone and the man strode off, not looking back.
    â€œI’m sorry he woke you. I stepped out to freshen up. I thought you’d be okay for a few minutes. I guess I was wrong.”
    She pointed at the obvious. “I have a broken leg.”
    Victor nodded. He stopped next to her bed and lifted his hand to touch her just above her eye. “How do you feel?”
    She winced in pain, yet at the same time felt her heart flutter at how close this man was. He was really good-looking and somehow, strangely familiar. His magnetism was unbelievable as well. She really liked the change he’d made while she was unconscious. Instead of the paint-spatteredshirt and jeans, he wore a casual pair of dress slacks and a tucked-in polo shirt along with a light tan leather jacket.
    She forced a breath in and then said, “I really can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done.”
    He shook his head. “We need to talk.”
    He waited and stared at her.
    She wasn’t sure what he wanted.
    Disconcerted, he tilted his head. “Do you have any questions for me?” he finally asked as if he knew something she didn’t.
    She thought a moment and then slowly nodded. Dropping her eyes, she asked, “Do they arrest foreigners for what happened today? I mean I hit some man with my car—where is he, by the way?”
    â€œThat’s your question?” He sounded surprised.
    She lifted her gaze to meet his and found something akin to amazement, or maybe it was perturbed shock, on his face. “I want to go home,” she added, thinking perhaps that was what he was wanting to hear.
    He let out a breath and simply glanced past her for a moment as if centering his thoughts.
    â€œYou’re too banged up to travel. The doctor is willing to release you only if someone watches you for the next forty-eight hours.”
    â€œBut I didn’t come here with anyone.”
    â€œI know that. I’ve been on the phone making arrangements. I have a large house. You can stay with me—”
    â€œI don’t even know you.” Annie leaned back, slightly stunned that he would suggest such a thing.
    Okay, now why had that shocked him so much? His mouth fell open. He started to say something and then paused, getting that same strange look on his face that he had had a few minutes ago. Finally he gazed back at her. “I’m the one you were in the wreck with.”
    â€œBut the man—the one who was yelling? You’re the one who helped me.”
    Confused, she shook her head. Something wasn’t adding up.
    â€œHe was angry that a tourist was blocking his business. He was easily paid off with a large order for meat.” Victor grinned slightly before the serious look returned. “No, Annie. I was coming into town to buy some paints, and a dog ran out in front of me. I cut right in front of you and caused the head-on.”
    She gaped as her mind tried to process what had really happened. She still couldn’t remember a thing other than driving down the street and then opening her eyes and finding herself injured. “Are you okay?” she asked weakly. She had leaned so heavily on this gentleman throughout her ordealthat she hadn’t even noticed whether he’d been hurt.
    â€œI have a much better car than yours. My air bag deployed. I’m a little stiff. But to answer your question, I’m fine. It’s you who was