Safari Princess

Secrets

Chapter three

Grace was a big round woman with a kind heart and smart with nothing escaped her sharp eyes, when she came and greeted Hope and Jane, she engulfed them in big hugs, careful not to hurt Hope as she already saw that the girl was injured. She introduced her. "Good Morning, I am Mama Grace how are your" "Hallo Mama Grace I am Hope and this is Jane my friend" Hope greeted her back. Hope and Jane immediately like this big woman she was so motherly. She reminded hope of her Grandma Tess and she felt tears sting her eyes, she missed granny so much! Grace showed them their rooms. Hope couldn't help but stare, her room was fit for a princess. A big bed with the most beautiful light pink satin sheets and pillows stood against one wall, big comfortable chairs to read or chat with a friend in. It had a big walk-incloset and bathroom with the biggest luxurious bathtub with all sorts of bath oils and soap, Hope couldn't wait to sink into a nice bubble bath and wash the stress of the day off. A big window overlooking the beautiful garden with a balcony where you can sit and enjoy a cup of tea or glass of wine when you want to relax or look at the birds and animals.

After she got settled Grace drew her a bubble bath. She helped her to undress and bathe even though Hope protested. "Now Honey you cannot manage by yourself," She said sternly "Let me help you I heard the doctor is on his way, we must get you bathed and, in your pajamas, quickly" Hope was too tired to protest further so she let her be, she enjoyed being pampered by Grace. Grace washed he hair and massaged her scalp. It was so glorious that she almost fell asleep. Then Grace helped her dry of and get dressed in the satin pajama dress she put out with her fluffy slippers and her robe. She helps comb Hope's hair out and lets her sit and relax in a comfy big chair

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She showed Hope what to dial for room service on the telephone in the room, they chatted while Grace made her bed ready for her to lie down when there was a light knock on the door. Jane excitedly barged in without waiting for someone to answer. "O Hope my room is glorious," She said while looking at Hope. Hope looked at her friend's wet hair, robe, and slippers, they started to giggle. "I couldn't help it as soon as I saw that bathtub I had to soak in the bubbles," Jane said. "Great minds think alike," Hope said laughing. Hope ordered tea for three after Grace gave her advice on what tea is best. She, Jane, and Grace chatted and drank tea for a while when there was another knock on the door.

Grace opened and Ben entered with a tall blonde man with green eyes. Another Greek god looks like. Hope thought to herself as she looked at him. She looked at Jane and whispered to her friend, who was staring at the guy as if he was a juicy delicious steak “Jane, hey close your mouth your drooling!" Jane sapped her mouth closed. "Hubba, Hubba!" She said and Hope almost lost it then she giggled holding her hand over her mouth. "Which one of you pretty ladies are my patient" The blond Adonis asked. "M-my friend here" Jane stuttered. Hope looked at her friend amused, Jane never stuttered in front of guys, wow that's a first. The gorgeous man turned to Hope and extended his hand "Doctor Jacques at your service" He introduced himself. "Hi I am Hope" She took his hand and greeted him back.

“Can you please lie down on the bed?" He asked. Hope obeyed and did what he asked, he started to examine her. Even though he was sinfully handsome, Hope was not affected by him. She was only aware of two grey eyes and a lot of muscles leaning against the door looking at them he commanded a room with his presence. His eyes were darker now, he looked amused. He slightly smiled and she saw his dimples, he looked gorgeous he had such full lips, she imagined again how it will feel if he kissed her and how his hair will feel under her fingers. Her pulse spiked up again just thinking about it makes her hot and bothered. "Is your heart beating chocolates for someone?" The doctor asked amused while he listened with his stethoscope. Hope blushed a deep red, she hoped the earth will open and swallow her whole. "She must focus on the work here, there will be no time for playing with men!" Ben said coldly from the door. She looked at Ben from under her lashes, he looked pissed. Why must she drool over a man that hates her this much and thinks so low of her? Hope felt tears of anger sting her eyes she wanted to slap him

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Even though Doctor Jacques joked light-heartedly he is a professional doctor taking his profession seriously. He examined her but knew an outward exam was not enough he needed x-rays. Not only for her arms but her ribs as well. He saw the blue bruises on her ribcage when he examined her, she must have cracked or broken several ribs and he suspects they are not healed yet. Her arm had fresh stitches so to speak, when he asked, she confirmed it was operated on recently. What was she doing out of the hospital! He gave Ben a look. In a silent conversation between them, the one instantly knew what the other is thinking. That was what happens with a best friend at times. This was one of those times.

Ben knew Jacques just confirmed what he also suspected. "Hope I need you to tell me how you got injured, we need to take you to the hospital so I can take x-rays of your arm and other injuries to treat you properly, can you tell me what Hospital and Doctor you were treated by and can you give me the details so I can contact them?" The doctor asked Hope. It was as if someone poured an ice bucket over Hope's head. She pulled the sheets forcefully over her looked at him and said with a quivering voice, "Please l-leave now!" Her face is white as if she has seen a ghost. Tears started streaming down her face she started shaking. Jane also as white as a sheet, immediately rushed to her friend's side but Ben beat her.

Ben saw all the color drain from her face, it looked like someone kicked her in the stomach then she started shaking, he mechanically went to her his need to protect her driving all reason from his brain. She looked scared as hell. He pushed Jacques away from her, he pulled her into his arms. He held her tightly, felt her shaking like a leaf, he cursed under his breath. He knew he f****d up. He overdid it, she looks like she went through a mill or meat crusher he could see the dark circles and bags under her eyes. He spoke to her soothingly. “It’s going to be alright; I will not let anybody hurt you, we are only trying to help you, sweetheart.” He said softly looking at Jacques for support.

Jacques gave him a stern look his lips pressed thinly together as if he is holding himself back. Ben saw how he composed himself as only a professional doctor can. Then he spoke with a cold but even voice. “Ben, can I talk with you alone urgently”? He asked. He abruptly turned and walked out the door. Ben let Jane take over with soothing Hope and followed his friend. When they reached his office, Jacques spun around he walked up to Ben so they were eye to eye. “What the f**k did you do to her Ben? He spat out. Ben did not back down and looked back unaffected. “I did nothing to her she came here like that, that is why I called you. I want to find out what happened to her.” He said exasperated. “Okay, Okay I did drive a little fast with the rover and I did take the longer route and drove a bit rougher than necessary because I wanted to show her this was not paradise, and maybe scare her enough to make her go back to where she came from.” He admitted when he saw Jacques did not believe him one bit feeling childish now for his harsh treatment of the girls earlier.

“Dammit, Ben!” Jacques looked ready to punch him “She had an operation fairly recently the stitches are still fresh, it looks like she has some ribs cracked or broken, she is full of bruises still, some healing others not yet.” He spat out shaking his head. “I think she was in a very serious car accident; I am talking near-fatal accident, now I am not sure it is only a guess but all the signs are there. She has scars and I am sure she has more underneath her beautiful hair due to head injuries. I need to take x-rays and examine her more thoroughly.” He looked at Ben with urgency in his eyes “What were you thinking man you practically made her injuries worse just to prove a point.” He berated his friend. “We need to get her to the hospital urgently I am afraid of infection some of her stitches came to lose it doesn’t look good Ben.” He said urgently. “She practically flipped when you mentioned hospital and her medical records.” Ben said frowning “How the hell are we going to make her go to the hospital, we cannot force her,” He said, still feeling like an asshole now more than ever more now that Jacques said he may have made her injuries worse with his antics in the rover. His father is going to let him have it big time when he finds out that’s for sure. He could see the old man already has a soft spot for the small blonde. They were still deep in thought when there was a light knock on the door, then the door opened and Jane looked in. “Gentlemen can I come in?” She asked looking from one man to the other.

Ben nodded. Jane entered the room closing the door firmly behind her. “She is sleeping now,” She said turning to face the two men. Jacque’s eyes lit up as he looked Jane up and down slowly, she was gorgeous, curvy not fat everything in the right place just how he liked his women. Jane blushed and looked down on the floor. Ben not missing anything watched the two with amusement. Then Jane squared her shoulders and looked Jacques squarely in the eyes.

“My friend went through a very rough time, she almost died that is all I can tell you now as I promised her not to talk about this to anyone.” She said, “Can you treat her without the information from the previous hospital?” She asked, her eyes pleading with Jacques. Ben walked in front of her, towering above her “Jane, What the hell happened to her, you need to tell us!” Jane did not back away, she looked him squarely in the eyes “Do not dare to pretend you care asshole” She spat. “You made her injuries worse, by driving like a maniac. And you shook her by her arms, you i***t!” I get it you are pissed that a woman has bought your ranch and you were trying to scare us off, but you have to deal with it we are going nowhere.” Jane said.

“What are you hiding?” He grabbed Jane by the arm. “ I told you I cannot tell you” Jane answered defensively. Ben wanted to shake her. How the hell were they supposed to help if they knew nothing? “Just f*****g tell us the truth!” He looked ready to make her tell-all by force. “Back off Ben!” Jacques said as he rushed forward and pulled Jane behind him. “Look we cannot force them; they must have their reasons for not wanting to tell us the whole story.” He reasoned with Ben. He turned to Jane and gently held her shoulders “Look we can only help if you trust us, can you give me some details. I will not force you to tell me everything. I just need some information to help your friend. Is that ok?” He gently asked. She nodded suddenly looking tired. She did not look well either. He wanted to pick her up carry her to a bed and let her rest. Maybe he should examine her as well. But he needed answers urgently, he could see that Ben also desperately wanted answers, he never saw his friend react as he did lose his cool like just now over a woman. Looks like the petite blonde struck a chord with the giant. He looked at his friend amused.

Ben forced himself to calm down, Jacques is right if they wanted information so they should be gentle, he just knew it was something serious he has a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Lord knows he has so much to deal with right now. But he needed to know exactly what is going on with Hope and he intended to find out everything even if he has to force it out of them. He walked to the cabinet and poured three glasses of whisky, while Jacques made Jane sit in one of the chairs. He gulped away his in one swift motion, the alcohol burning down his throat. Then he gave one to Jane and one to Jacques. Jacques also gulped down his in one go, Ben could see he is still on edge as well. But Jane just sipped her slowly barely wetting her lips. The two men waited impatiently for her to finish. Jane felt like a bug under a microscope, while they looked at her intently. But she took her sweet time, wondering how she will tell them what happened without telling them what happened.

This should be interesting. Deciding it’s best to let them ask questions, then she can answer carefully without spilling the beans, thus keeping her promise to her friend. She looked at them and asked, “What do you want to know?” “I am guessing she was in a serious accident, am I right.” The doctor asked. Jane nodded. “How long ago?” He asked again. “Two and a half months ago” Jane answered. “Can you tell me how it happened?” Jane looked at him, trying to assess how much she could trust him. Then decided it is best to keep to the bare minimum for now. She answered “She lost control over her sports car and went off a cliff, it was more or less a 20 feet drop, she barely survived, she had serious injuries, a badly broken arm, six cracked ribs, a broken leg, and she had to have a brain operation she was in a coma for almost four weeks, I thought she would never wake up. But Hope is a fighter and she pulled through, she made a remarkable recovery.” “How did she lose control of the vehicle?” Ben asked. Jane looked at him, trying to figure him out but failing. He is hard to read. He seems like he has a genuine concern for Hope as if he cared, but his actions earlier proverb he hated her being here. He blows hot and cold too fast. “Her brakes failed” Jane answered him, she watched as the information sunk in.

The two men looked at the pretty brunette, hanging on her every word. Where Hope was blonde with blue eyes her friend had dark hair and green eyes. She was not as thin as Hope but then again she did not survive a serious accident and spent weeks in a hospital bed mostly unconscious with serious injuries. “She could relapse anytime. Why did they let her leave the hospital, why did she come here?” The doctor asked frowning. “Because this is the safest place for her right now,” Jane explained but regretted it immediately as soon as the words left her mouth. The two men exchanged a look, she knew she already said too much. They will not let this go easily now. As if on cue Ben asked, “What do you mean this is the safest place for her right now?” “I cannot tell you,” She said cutting him off. “Look I can only tell you this much for now you have to trust me, maybe when Hope settles in and learns to trust you enough she will tell you everything. But for now can you please help her?” She pleaded with the doctor. Jacques looked at her intently for a long time, she held her breath praying “Please, please, please let him agree” after what seemed like forever he nodded. Jane almost jumped in his arms, she could kiss him she was so elated. Thank god now Hope can get professional medical help, one less worry to deal with. “Thank you so much,” she said gratefully feeling tears sting her eyes.

Jacques knelt before her, he knew he has to win her trust as well if he and Ben want to get to the bottom of this “It looks like she is well enough to be treated here except for her arm. I want to make sure she is alright.” He said, “ But you have to convince her to come to the hospital so I can take x-rays and scans. Can you do that for me?” He gently asked Jane. “I will even if I have to drag her there myself” Jane agreed. He smiled his dimples showing then stood up. Gosh, this man is gorgeous Jane thought. She was in awe of how he could make her feel at ease so easily. How he could make her weak in the knees with just one smile. She can just imagine how gentle he was with his patients at the hospital, everybody must love him. What’s not to love. She suddenly envied the nurses and female doctors working with him every day. She will convince Hope to get treated by him. She wants to see more of him, so, so much more.