Read Online Running Blind by Shirlee McCoy - Free Book Online Page B

but as she turned to face him, the room tilted, the pain in her head exploding until all she could hear was her own heartbeat.
    She swayed, reaching out, feeling Nikolai’s hand anchoring her in place as the world spun around her.
    â€œI think I need to sit down.” She tried to speak, but the words were no more than a whisper, and she wasn’t sure Nikolai heard.
    Strong arms wrapped around her, holding her up as she slipped further into darkness.
    Was she going to pass out?
    No way.
    Even at her sickest, even when chemo had stolen her strength, she’d never passed out. She wasn’t going to do it now.
    â€œJen? What’s going on?”
    She heard Kane’s voice, heard her father call her name through the thick darkness that was closing in.
    And then she heard nothing at all.

SIX
    N ikolai flipped through a six-month-old photography magazine, doing his best to ignore the antiseptic scent that filled the waiting room. After spending three months in a VA hospital, he’d sworn to stay far away from anything that even resembled a treatment facility. Yet here he was, exactly where he didn’t want to be, sitting on a plastic seat, thumbing through an old magazine and praying that Jenna was all right.
    The waiting room door opened, and Kane walked in, a cup of coffee in each hand. “Here you go.”
    â€œThanks. Did you track down your sister and parents?”
    â€œThe nurse said they’re down in radiology.”
    â€œAre they checking for brain injuries?” Nikolai hadn’t seen Jenna hit her head, but that didn’t mean it hadn’t happened. He’d tackled her without much thought for anything except keeping her out of the line of fire.
    â€œNo.” Kane’s response was short, his face drawn with worry and fatigue. Aside from Jenna’s injuries and troubles, Kane had a young son at home who needed him and a wife who was expecting a baby any day. The stress was starting to show.
    â€œThen what?”
    â€œThey ran blood tests when she came in, and her counts are off.”
    â€œWhich means?”
    â€œI don’t know. I’m not sure I want to speculate, either.”Kane dropped down into the chair beside Nikolai and took a sip of coffee.
    â€œBut you are speculating, so why not put it out there. Say what you’re worried about.”
    â€œJenna was diagnosed with leukemia four years ago. She’s been cancer-free for two years.”
    â€œAnd you’re worried that the cancer has returned?”
    â€œI think that’s what the doctors are worried about.”
    â€œPerhaps she’s simply worn out. She’s been through a lot. The body is more susceptible to illness when a person is under stress.”
    â€œJenna’s immunity is low anyway. She hasn’t been the same since the chemo.”
    â€œI’m sure she wouldn’t want to hear you say that.”
    â€œAnd if she did hear me, she’d deny it. She’s always been independent and unwilling to show any weakness. I wouldn’t put it past her to keep things from the family so that she wouldn’t worry us.”
    â€œLike what?”
    â€œLike a relapse.”
    â€œThe way I see it, you can sit here and worry or you can find your parents and get more information. How about we go to radiology and see if they’re there?” Nikolai stood, dropping the magazine back into the rack where he’d found it.
    â€œIt seems to me, I’m not the only one worried about Jenna.”
    â€œI don’t think I’ve made any secret of the fact that I’m concerned.”
    â€œConcerned because you saved her life and want to make sure she stays alive or concerned because you’ve got a deeper interest in her?” Kane asked as they walked out of the waiting room.
    â€œIs there a reason why you’re asking? Other than idle curiosity, I mean.”
    â€œShe’s my sister. I don’t want her