Cupid's Treasure - Mystery of the Golden Arrow Read Online Free

small of her back as her rescuer guided her toward the ambulance and then stepped in front of her just like before. She could still feel the tingling sensation where his warm hand had touched her, which was surprising considering she was wearing two thick sweaters.
    “What do you have to say about this, Jonathan?” Patricia asked.
    “I didn’t know you were back,” her savior answered, employing yet another evasive technique Amber noted as she watched the newscaster turn to her camera men indicating they should cut. . . . He is very good at manipulating women.
    “Miss?” another woman said beside her. The voice sounded like it was coming out of the fog shrouded daze that was her mind. . . . “Miss?” she said again as she touched Amber’s shoulder.
    Amber turned to see a middle aged black woman standing next to her. “I’m going to take good care of you, hon. Just come over here with me.”
    Amber had to stop the impulse to call out for him as he walked toward the busy bee, leaving her feeling alone and bereft. Amber sighed, she didn’t understand the strong feelings the man inspired within her. Why do I feel like I’ve just lost my best friend?
    I seriously need to get a grip! She mentally shook herself. Good grief! He’s a complete stranger I’ve known for all of ten minutes!
    “Just sit right here, sugar,” the paramedic said.
    Amber found herself seated in the back of the ambulance with a blood pressure tester on one arm and a thermometer in her ear, wondering how it had all happened so fast. Both gadgets beeped at the same time. The woman read her temperature and typed it into a computer pad as the band inflated painfully on her right arm.
    “This is tight.” Amber began to pull on the Velcro strap.
    “Na-uh, sugar, that stays put till it beeps again. Won’t be but a second more. You just relax now, hon.”
    Amber stopped trying to peel off the tight band that was making her light headed and looked around at the medical apparatuses that reminded her of that other place. Panic set in, and she started to breathe harder. She felt trapped.
    Instead of just a beep a red light started flashing.
    “Aw, darlin', your pressure is way too high,” the woman said as she placed a clamp on her finger.
    “No,” Amber said. “I’m just nervous.” She read the name on her badge. “Charlene, please.” Amber shook her head and tried to leave.
    “Sweetie,” the woman said. “You just sit tight. I’ll have you at the hospital in no time.”
    “No!” Amber said frantically. “It’s the machine.” She pointed. “Has it never acted up before?”
    “What’s happening?” Her savior poked his head in.
    “Tell, her I’m fine, please,” Amber begged.
    “Chucky, what have you been doing to her?” he asked the medic.
    “You know that’s not funny, Jonathan,” Charlene blustered as she turned to him. “And don’t you Chucky me like we were still on the play-ground.”
    “I take back every word.” Her savior held his hands up in defeat.
    “Uh-huh!” Charlene turned back to Amber. “Darlin', I need to take you. It’s my job. You’ve been through somethin' awful, and we’re going to make sure you’re okay.”
    “I can’t.”
    “Why can’t you?” Charlene asked.
    Amber swallowed, looking into Charlene’s doubtful dark chocolate eyes. She looked away, glancing up at Jonathan with her own fear filled golden eyes. “Please, I just want to go home.”
    He sighed.
    “I didn’t even get injured,” Amber said, turning back to the medic. “He’s the one that was hit with an arrow.”
    Charlene turned back to Jonathan who shrugged as if it were nothing.
    “See? His shirt is torn.” Amber pointed to the evidence on his shoulder.
    He poked his finger into the hole. “Naw, it’s just a scratch.”
    “We’re going to take your pressure again,” Charlene said as she reset the machine. “If you pass the second time, I’ll release you. If not, you’re coming with me to the hospital.