Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 37508 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37508 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
I nodded and followed her to Baylor’s room. When I walked in, she was propped up on the bed, with her new cast secured in a sling. Her eyes lit up when she spotted me coming through the doorway. “Hey, there, kiddo. How are ya doing?”
“Guess what I got...” She tried lifting her arm as she said, “A new cast.”
“You sure did.”
“It’s pink.”
“I see that.” I gave her a wink. “Good choice.”
“I hun-gee,” Bay announced.
“I bet you are. I tell ya what, we’ll go by and grab you one of those kids’ meals you like on the way home. Whatcha think about that?”
She nodded, and that tiny spark of happiness was enough to ease the tension I’d been carrying since the second Laken called. Baylor’s attention was drawn to the television when her favorite show came up on the screen. Laken leaned over to me and said, “The nurse is getting the discharge papers together. We should be able to get out of here soon.”
“That’s good.”
“I know. I’m so ready to get out of here and get home.”
“About that? I’ve been thinking.”
“About?”
I kept my voice low and steady as I told her, “I think you and Bay should come stay at my place for a few days.”
“What?”
“I’m just talking about a couple of days. Just until she gets used to the cast and all. She’ll have her own room, more space, and I’ll be around to help.”
I could see the wheels turning in her head, and the worry, pride, and fear were making her hesitate. The last thing I wanted to do was add more to her plate, so I added, “Let me do this. Not just for you, but for her.”
She let out a breath as she answered, “Okay, but just for a couple of days.”
“Understood.”
While she signed the discharge papers, I sent another text to Smitty, letting him know to go ahead with the plan. These two were about to get a welcome home they wouldn’t soon forget.
12
LAKEN
Iwalked out of that hospital feeling like the weight of the world was baring down on my shoulders. You would’ve thought I’d been happy. Relieved even. Baylor was okay. The surgery was done, everything went as planned, and she was tucked safely against Thatcher’s chest. But that didn’t ease the anxious knot in the pit of my stomach.
Thatcher adjusted Bay in his arms, making sure her cast didn’t bump anything as he put her in the car seat. Once he buckled her in, he glanced over at me and asked, “You okay?”
I nodded, even though I wasn’t sure.
The truth was, I wasn’t sure about anything.
I’d agreed to stay with him for a few days. I had no idea why. Maybe it was a moment of weakness, or maybe it was the way he was there for me when I needed someone the most. Or maybe, just maybe, it was because, deep down, the thought of something going wrong and him not being there terrified me.
He made it easy to accept his offer.
But now that we were getting closer to his place, my doubts started creeping in. I’d been to his house, but I’d never actually been inside. With Baylor, it was always easier to hang out at mine. I didn’t know what to expect, and it had me wondering if I’d made a terrible mistake.
Then, we turned into his driveway, and my breath caught.
There were Christmas lights glowing in the windows, and there was even a wreath on the front door. It wasn’t anything fancy. It was just a mid-sized home, but it was in a great neighborhood—the kind where people looked out for one another. The lights lit up the front porch, making it look warm and inviting.
Thatcher parked, and once he killed the engine, he glanced over at me like he was trying to read my thoughts. “You good?”
I nodded. “Um-hmm.”
“Alright. Let’s get you girls inside.”
I climbed out and held the door open for Thatch as he got Baylor from the backseat. I followed them up to the front door, and Baylor was all smiles as we stepped inside. Her eyes lit up as she gasped, “Momma, look!”
I glanced over in the corner and to my surprise, it wasn’t just any Christmas tree in the corner. It was ours. The one Thatcher had brought to the house, and we’d all decorated. Next to it were all of Baylor’s toys, and Bunny N sat on the sofa, looking like he owned the place.
Thatch carried her over to the sofa and gently lowered her onto the cushions next to her dearest friend. She grabbed it with her good hand and pulled it close. “Bunny.”
I felt my throat close up, and that warm rush of relief washed through me all over again. I’d been lucky. Even though the accident wasn’t my fault, I should’ve been more careful. I should’ve talked to her and told her that the tree wasn’t something to play with. It wasn’t a mistake I would make again.