Free Archetype by M. D. Waters Page B

the room. “I see you’ve stumbled across your new floor mate.”
    Which one?
“Floor mate?”
    He wraps an arm over my shoulder and maneuvers me toward my bedroom. “Her name is Ruby. She had an accident like you.”
    “Like me?” I stop and turn to watch the orderlies lead Ruby down the hall. She does not take a single step without the guidance of one of the orderlies. “Declan, was I like that, too?”
    He is hesitant to answer but finally says, “Yes. It’s the most difficult time.” He lifts my chin to take back my attention, smiles in that soft, loving way of his, and brushes my hair back. “You’re much better now. And if Chuck is patient, Ruby will be better, too.”
    Movement nearby grabs our attention and we turn to see Dr. Travista leaving the lounge with Chuck. The man does a double take when he sees me and leaves the doctor’s side without a word. Dr. Travista’s mouth freezes in the middle of a sentence but he follows a moment later.
    My muscles lock and warning bells go off in my head. I do not know this man, but his reaction to his wife a moment ago tells me he is not a kind person. And he is heading right for
me.
    Declan angles to stand in front of me. “Charles,” he says in a cool tone.
    The man points a stubby finger around my husband at me. “I want to talk to her.”
    “No.” Simple. Direct.
    He lays fisted hands on his hips, making his suit jacket flare. “I need to know I’m not wasting my money.”
    Declan glances back at me very quickly. “You aren’t.”
    Chuck or Charles narrows his eyes. “The video—”
    “Watch what you say in front of my wife,” Declan says, and this time his even tone sends icicles over my spine.
    Chuck’s gaze jumps between Declan and me. “I need more proof. I don’t like wasting my time. You never said it would be like”—he waves absently toward the lounge—“
that.
”
    “Didn’t I?” Warning laces Declan’s tone.
    Danger, danger,
She says.
    No kidding.
I have no idea what this is about, but I do not want to be here anymore.
    I touch Declan’s arm with only my fingertips, afraid anything more would turn the anger on me. “I wish to go to my room.”
    His gaze never leaves Charles’s. “Good idea. I will see you there shortly.”

CHAPTER 11
    R uby sits in the lounge staring out the window for the third day in a row. Her husband has not been back and I am sad for her. Declan is gone more now, but he was around when I needed him most. I need no further proof to see the difference between what kind of man her husband is and what kind mine is.
    I am hesitant but resolved to get to know her. “Hello,” I say.
    She blinks one time, but there is no sign that she knows I am even here.
    “My name is Emma. Your name is Ruby.”
    She swallows and blinks again. Her eyes are lovely: light brown with flecks of gold and green. Her light pink lips part to say one word. “Ruby.”
    I smile. “Yes, that is right. Ruby is a pretty name.”
    “Pretty.”
    Dr. Travista appears in the doorway and comes to a stop. His eyes widen when he sees me, and I am about to stand because he must not want me talking to this woman. Instead, he nods to show me he approves.
    “You are named for a gemstone,” I say. “One of my favorites. The color is red. Would you like to see red?”
    I do not wait for the answer she will not give me. I move to my painting supplies and drag what I need over. I have been painting winter landscapes to please Declan. I have painted enough beaches, though I am saddened by this decision for reasons I cannot explain.
    Today, for Ruby, I paint a red desert. I bring it to life from memory. Not because I recall being in a desert, but because I have seen the landmark in a book. Ayers Rock in Australia. I find it easy to give this place life, but as with the winter landscapes, I do not feel as though I belong there.
    I belong on the beach with sand between my toes and cool surf flooding my feet. I can almost feel the water receding and