Bouquet: Sequel to 'In Full Bloom': The Trilogy of the Rose (Volume 3) Read Online Free Page B

Grandma Jo asked as she returned with the mug. 
     
    “Some,” he replied, rotating his feet.  “Give me a minute.”
     
    Holding the mug to her chest, she recalled his appearance when he returned.  “You went in after her, didn’t you?” she asked.
     
    Nodding, Mark stated, “I had no other option. She had no traction on the ice.”
     
    “You what?” Sami asked.
     
    “You heard me,” Mark declared, not turning.
     
    “Here.”  Grandma Jo offered the steaming mug. 
     
    Mark took the mug and felt Grandma Jo move behind him.  “What are you doing?” he asked.
     
    “Need to check your back,” she answered, pulling up his blue, sweatshirt top to expose his back.
     
    “Ouch,” she cried softly, seeing the bloody claw marks on his back.  “Don’t move.”
     
    “What is it?” Mark asked, not feeling anything amiss.
     
    “You are clawed,” Grandma Jo answered, moving to the table to retrieve the bag she had placed there moments earlier.
     
    “Oh, Mark,” Sami cried, viewing the tracks on his back.
     
    “I am okay,” he stated, pulling down the sweatshirt.
     
    “No, they need to be attended,” Grandma Jo said, coming back to him with the bag in her hand.  “I noticed the wet blotches on your sweatshirt when you were concentrating on Molly.  I first thought it was due to your wet hair, but when I heard you say you went into the water, I knew I needed to check.”
     
    Wiggling his shoulders, Mark felt no discomfort. “I am fine,” he reported.  Seeing her frown, he knew he could not win this battle.  “Alright, you win.  If it will make you feel better.”  Placing the mug on the mantel, he removed his sweatshirt and presented his back to her.
     
    “Sami, dear, could you please help me?” Grandma Jo asked.
     
    “Sure.  Stay, Molly,” Sami directed, getting to her feet and moving over to Grandma Jo.
     
    “It appears that Molly needs to have her nails clipped,” Grandma Jo reported, passing the bag of bandages to Sami. 
     
    “What’s first?” Sami asked, looking into the bag. 
     
    Grandma Jo eyed the welts on Mark’s back.  “How well did you wash your back?” she asked.
     
    “I just let the water run down it,” Mark answered.
     
    “Not good enough.  To the bathroom,” she ordered.
     
    Picking up the mug, Mark did as directed.  He knew better then to argue with her.  As he rounded the corner to the hall, he heard Molly’s tags tinkling; she was following them.  Closing his eyes, he waited for the appearance of ‘Mrs.  Carter’.
     
    “What’s wrong?  Keep moving,” Grandma Jo said.
     
    Surprised, Mark opened his eyes and looked back over his shoulder at the three sets of eyes behind him. None of them showed anger; they all expressed concern for him.  His ego felt a boast at the sight; he was the focus of their attention.  “I like this,” he said softly.
     
    “Move,” Grandma Jo encouraged.
     
    “Fine,” he said, stepping into the small room.  “Where do you need me to go?”
     
    “Here,” Grandma Jo directed, stepping around him and placing a towel on the bottom of the tub, grabbing his wet clothes.  “Sit on the rim of the tub with your back out to us,” she finished, tossing his wet clothes on the floor.
     
    Stepping into the tub, Mark eyed his balled-up wet clothes.  “Now, why didn’t I think of tossing them on the floor?” he chuckled.
     
    Grandma Jo smacked him lightly on the back of his head.  “That is enough,” she sniped, turning to the sink and soaping a washcloth.
     
    Mark felt slight pressure on his back and looked to see Sami gingerly touch the welts as she inspected his back.  “How bad?” he asked.
     
    Sami’s soft brown eyes looked into his eyes.  “The welts are deep,” she reported softly.
     
    “Blood?” he asked.
     
    “Seeping like Molly’s pads,” she answered.
     
    “Will I live?” he asked softly.
     
    “Yes, Dr. Stevens.  You will live,” she