Page 34 of Blood

“Is everyone okay?” Doc rushes.

“Come on in,” Dad says dryly.

Leo slows his steps. Reaching up, he straightens his black-rimmed glasses. “My apologies. I heard what happened, and Jeff said a doctor was needed.” He thumbs back to the sheriff, his eyes finding Shelby on the sofa.

“Still, probably shouldn’t enter a home without knocking tonight.” Michael glares.

“So I hear.”

“I need to take everyone’s statement,” McCallister adds.

“That can’t wait?” Dad asks.

“Umm,” McCallister mumbles, desperate not to piss off the man who funds his re-election campaigns.

The town’s doctor slices the tense atmosphere by walking across the room straight to where Sam and Shelby sit.

“You girls okay?”

Sam nods.

“Sweetheart?” he asks Shelby, kneeling at her feet.

My brows shoot high on my forehead.Sweetheart?

Her cheeks flame even more. Definitely getting her color back.

“You’re very flushed,” he tuts, the back of his fingers brushing her cheek. “Did anyone hurt you? Touch you?”

Shelby shakes her head, looking at the older man through her lashes.

When the fuck did this happen?

I watch the two interact while my parents move over to deal with the sheriff. Michael and Lara head to the porch, Michael’s phone already to his ear. He’s probably calling Daniel.

“Open,” Leo orders, pulling my attention away from my family.

Shelby closes her mouth around a thermometer without complaint. He must feel me staring because he glances at me before turning to Sam.

“How are you? Any injuries you need me to look at.” He reaches up to feel her forehead.

“I’m okay. Shook up but okay,” Sam answers loud enough for our parents to hear.

“You should have stayed at mine,” Leo tells Shelby, checking her temperature.

I raise a brow, silently asking her why she’d be doing that.

Shelby rolls her eyes at me.

“Don’t be disrespectful,” Doc snaps, the tip of his ears turning red.

Oh shit. It’s like that, huh?

“I believe it was meant for me, Doc,” I explain, giving her an out.

“Still, it’s rude,” he mutters, catching her eye.

“Sorry.”