Amelia did her best to make her point from a hospital bed, but the reality of her predicament hit her hard. She was alone. She knew half the faculty and a few students, but not one had ever been in her house. No one would offer to care for her, and she wasn’t sure how long she’d be able to pay for in-home nursing, even if she could find someone to hire in this tiny town.

She tried to straighten just a bit and gripped the stranger’s hand to hold her steady. “Thank all of you for your concerns, but I can take care of myself. If you don’t plan to arrest me, I’ll be going home come morning.”

The old doc shook his head. “You’ll need help, miss. I can’t discharge you without someone to see to your care.”

Amelia saw no other way. She had no relatives, no friends. “I’ll manage.” She’d been on her own since she’d graduated from high school. Her parents said they’d done all they could for her. She’d moved to a one-room apartment a day later and worked six months to make enough to take a few night classes. Her folks went to Hawaii on the money from her college fund. A year later when she stopped by their house, they’d moved.

“I can’t release you, Miss Remington. One fall could cause another break. You can’t stay alone.”

Harrison Norton’s low voice ended the discussion. “I’ll be responsible for her.”

“How you going to do that, Norton?” the sheriff barked. “You’d have to stay sober. You wouldn’t even know what to do.”

“I’ll figure it out.” Hank wasn’t looking at the men, only Amelia. His voice lowered. “I’ll get you home, Millie, if that is where you want to go.”

LeRoy seemed to realize this might end the discussion of her staying in his holding cell. “You’ll have to make her place handicap accessible. Make meals. Stay around if she needs anything.” The sheriff glared at him. “And don’t think I won’t be checking on you.”

Harrison’s eyes never left Amelia’s face. “I’ll watch over you, pretty lady.”

Every logical thought told her to find another way, but his hand held hers tightly and his gray eyes bore a promise.

“It’ll take a week, maybe more, to fix my bike. Will that be enough time, Doc?”

“If all goes well. She will not be healed, but she will have figured out how to get around.”

The sheriff shook his head at her. “You are not seriously letting this man in your house?”

“I am.” Amelia almost laughed. She had nothing to steal, and he’d already taken his best shot at killing her. “He’s my best friend.”