Sheltering Dunes Read Online Free Page A

chest.
    “We’re here,” Flynn said. “I’ll stay as long as I can. If we get another call, I’ll have to leave.”
    “I don’t need you to stay. I’ll be fine.”
    “I know you will,” Flynn said.
    The doors swung open, and bright sunlight streamed into the back of the ambulance. Mica blinked, tears blurred her vision, and a large dark shape loomed in the doorway. Hector! She jerked, her heart pounding erratically, and yanked at the straps imprisoning her. She must have made a sound, because Flynn gripped her shoulder.
    “Hey, it’s all right. Does something hurt?”
    Mica wet her lips as the man climbed into the van. He might not hurt her right away, but if Flynn— His features became clearer. The other paramedic. Not Hector. Mica took a shuddering breath.
    “Mica?” Flynn asked.
    “Everything’s fine.”
    Maybe if she said it enough times, it would one day be true.

Chapter Three
     
    The sky whirled dizzyingly over Mica’s head as Flynn and the big man slid the stretcher out of the van. The collapsible legs clanked down with a jolt, and she bit her lip to keep from crying out. Her body shook as the paramedics maneuvered her across the uneven surface, stones crunching beneath the wheels with the snap of bones breaking. With her neck held immobilized by the wide stiff collar, her vision was limited, but if she tightened her belly and lifted her shoulders she could see a little bit in front of her. The first time she tried, the pounding in her head got worse but she felt less imprisoned, and that made the pain worth it. The second time, her stomach somersaulted. A police cruiser was parked next to the stone steps leading up to the door of a low-slung gray building that must be the clinic.
    “Why are the cops here?” Mica wiggled her arm out from underneath the restraining straps and yanked on the buckle. “I didn’t do anything. I’m not going in there.”
    “Hold up a second, Dave.” Flynn hurriedly moved up the side of the stretcher until she was peering down at Mica. “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing. Let me up.”
    “I’m going to release the straps,” Flynn said, “but you have to promise—”
    “Flynn,” Dave said, his gravelly voice holding a warning.
    “It’s okay,” Flynn said in his direction, her eyes asking for a promise Mica didn’t want to make. “The straps are bothering her. She won’t try to jump off.”
    Flynn said it as if she believed Mica wouldn’t bolt. And Mica wasn’t certain of that at all. Being questioned and probed by strange doctors was bad enough, but if the police were here, she’d have to run. Somehow.
    “Don’t make me do this,” Mica whispered. She never asked anyone for anything, not even when silence only brought her more pain, but she asked Flynn. Maybe because Flynn let her search her eyes for a lie, a lie she couldn’t find. The word was unfamiliar to her, but she said it anyhow. “Please. You don’t know…”
    Flynn leaned closer, so close a cool draft of mint and cedar drifted over Mica’s face. “Whatever you’re afraid is going to happen to you in there is not going to happen. No one is going to hurt you. I promise.”
    “You can’t make that promise.”
    “Yes, I can. I know these people.” Flynn lightly squeezed Mica’s hand. “These doctors are great. You can trust them.”
    Mica tightened her lips, refusing to argue when the woman was obviously clueless. Flynn had no idea who she was or what she might have done. Why did Flynn just assume she was good, or innocent? What kind of person thought that way? “You’re crazy.”
    Flynn smiled. “I’ve been told that before. But I’m harmless.”
    “Yeah, right.” Mica tried to settle her breathing, tried to tamp down the panic. The more she protested, the more questions she was going to raise in people’s minds. Maybe the best way not to draw attention to herself was just to go along with what had to be done. She could do this. She’d done harder things. She could lie her