Dollar Slot Machine Part 3

By Mary

She gingerly struggled to a sitting position on the side of the bed, dropping her aching head into her hands.  As the pain began to subside she slowly got to her feet and took a hesitant step toward the door.  Her heart lurched as she heard footsteps approaching.  Not knowing why, she quickly turned and lay back down on the bed, closing her eyes.  The footsteps stopped at the door.  She could hear raspy breathing but she dared not open her eyes.  

"Sara?" a deep voice said quietly.  

"I know you're awake; I saw you on the monitor.  You may as well sit up and talk to me."  

She was stunned to see the casino security guard standing over her.  As she struggled up again, he reached his hand out to her, but she shook her head and sat up on her own.  

"What on earth is going on here?" she asked angrily.  

"Where am I and how did I get here?"  

"Now, now, Sara," he soothed, "There's no need to be upset.  You took quite a blow from those thugs back in the parking lot, but luckily I was going off-shift and was able to chase them off before they could do anything worse.  It appears that they were in the casino and saw you win, and they waited for you outside."  

"Oh!" she breathed in a small, quivery voice.  

"Thank you so much for rescuing me!  Where am I?"  

"You're in my guest room.  When you're feeling stronger I will escort you home."  

"I...I don't know what to say..." Sara stammered.  

"Please don't say anything.  I'm just glad I could be of assistance.  Would you like something for your headache?  You must have a bad one; they hit you pretty hard.  Perhaps a warm drink?"  

"No, thank you," Sara replied, "I just want to go home."  

She was looking at him in a different way now, noticing just how attractive he was.  

"I'll get your car for you now, if you're sure you're O.K. to drive.  But I will be following behind you all the way.  Unfortunately, though, I can't be with you all the time, so I suggest you look into hiring a security guard now that you're a very wealthy woman."  

"Isn't that what you do?" Sara asked, with one eyebrow tilted mischievously, her eyes twinkling.  

"Well...yes, yes it is, Sara, but I have a job at the casino."  

"We'll see about that..." Sara laughed, stood and linked her arm in his.  

"After all, a handsome gentleman I just met recommended that I find myself a good security guard..." she said with a broad grin and a wink.  

With that, they both set off down the hall toward their new lives.  It was going to be a bright future, indeed!