Read Misfortune: Christmas With Scrooge for Free Online Page B

just for saving her life, but
unknowingly, giving her that companionship she desperately needed
on Christmas Eve.
    Less than an hour later, Dexter pulled up to
the emergency entrance of the hospital. She wholeheartedly expected
him to drop—or rather dump her off at the entrance with a good
riddance wave of farewell.
    Instead, he parked the vehicle, came around
to the passenger side, then swooped Laura back into his arms. She
watched his wooden features as he marched them across the parking
lot and through the automatic opening doors to the hospital’s
emergency ward, and decided it was best not to argue.
    It only took little over three-quarters of an
hour for a doctor to treat her feet for minor frostbite, administer
to the gashes on her legs, then discharge her. A wheelchair was
brought to Laura's aid, and while a nurse assisted her, Dexter
thanked the doctor in a brisk authoritative voice before wheeling
her out to his car.
    At this point Laura decided it was time she
spoke. “It isn't necessary you see me home. The doctor said I'm
quite fine. I'm sure I'll be able to arrange some means of
transportation—”
    “He also said you should stay off your feet
for a couple of days.” Again, that unemotional voice had her
frowning. How did he really feel?
    “Which I will,” she agreed. “As soon as I get
home. So, please, if you wouldn't mind dropping me off at the bus
depot—”
    “Look.” His voice was implacable as he hauled
her out of the wheelchair and deposited her into the passenger seat
of his car once again. “I began this and I intend to finish
it.”
    “Fine.” She sighed in defeat, then proceeded
to give him directions to her home.
    It wasn't far from the hospital and in no
time she pointed out the house lining the street.
    “Daddy left me the house, mortgage free. He
took care of everything when he was alive. He must have known—” Her
voice broke, finding it still difficult to discuss her deceased
parent.
    He wasn't looking at her but she could read
the blank, detached expression on his face.
    So, it was back, the ugly face of his
character. She sighed, then turned to open the door.
    He stopped her with a hand on her arm. “I'll
help you to the house.”
    “Really, that's not necessary.” But he was
already out of the vehicle and around to the passenger side and
scooping her back up. “I'm sure I'm capable of making it to the
door perfectly fine.”
    Still no response, just continued smoothly
until he reached the top step of the verandah. “Key?”
    “There's a spare in the mailbox.” It was then
when at last he deposited her gently on the welcome mat outside the
front entrance.
    After successfully unlocking the front door,
he turned around and dropped the key in her hand. “You'll be fine
from here.”
    She had half-expected him to continue until
he properly deposited her in bed where she was to remain for the
next few days.
    “I would have been fine from the hospital.”
She told him. “But thank you.”
    His eyes focused on her face for the first
time. Suddenly, she became self-conscious under his dark scrutiny
and nervously shifted from one swollen foot to the other.
    He glanced down at them and said in a
commanding voice, “Stay off your feet.” Then turning, he left her
standing gasping after him.
    A spark, somewhere in the deep crevices of
her being didn't want him leaving. She leaped forward reaching the
wooden banister and leaning over it. “Wait!”
    He stopped and looked back. His expression
blank.
    “I-I mean, wouldn't you like to come in for
some coffee or—a Christmas drink!” Her eyes lit up suddenly. “It is
after all Christmas morning.”
    “No thanks.” He shunned her offer immediately
and would have continued on his way as if she had never stopped
him.
    “Wait!” This time she sprang into action
swiftly, following him down the steps.
    She heard him swear, followed by the sound of
crunching snow as he retraced his footsteps. “What the blazes do
you think