Page 55 of The Vet's Unconditional Love
He squeezed her hand again."Well, I can.Are you saying you don't want me to?"
She had to swallow a couple of times before she could say, "No, Emmett, that's not what I'm saying.Far from it.But you should probably press that buzzer and get Trip back in here to give you something for the pain."She glanced at the door, imagining his tall, unsmiling friend waiting out there."I'll be more inclined to do as I'm told if it's doctor's orders."
"I think you and Blane will get along when you get to know each other."
Harper wasn't so sure about that, but she didn't want to say so."Maybe so, but he'll want to get back in here, and no doubt get rid of me, so I'll save him the trouble."
Emmett tightened his grip on her hand."You're leaving?"
"Hell no!But you look like you could use a coffee or something.I'll go find us one.I'll wait outside when I get back.You can tell Sergeant Sparklesto let me back in when you want to."
Emmett chuckled."Cash calls Blane and Mav Grumpy and Grumpier, or the Sunshine Twins."
"I can see why.I'll call Cash again while I'm out there, make sure the girls are okay."
"Thanks, Harper.Would you tell Cash to call me here at the hospital?I left my phone on the desk at work."
She reached for her own phone."Do you want to use this?"
He shook his head."They're okay for now.Might as well let them enjoy their milkshakes with Uncle Cash before they start worrying about anything."
"He could bring them here while they're in town."
He didn't seem to like that idea, so she didn't push.She'd ask again later—it didn't make sense to let the girls go all the way home only to have to come back up to town later to visit him in the hospital.
~ ~ ~
"Just like old times, hey, buddy?"
Emmett gritted his teeth while Trip cleaned the wound.
Blane was back in position in the corner; arms folded across his chest."I thought those days were behind us."
Emmett grunted at the sting."Yeah, me too.Especially in my line of work."
"You need to be careful," Trip told him."Rural veterinarians are becoming a real target."
Emmett rolled his eyes."I'm aware."
"Yeah, sorry.Dumb thing to say, huh?"
Blane looked down at his phone."Deacon’s on his way.Cash wants to know if the girls can stay at his place tonight—says you should let them since they don’t have school in the morning."
"Okay."Emmett liked the idea of them having a fun sleepover at Uncle Cash’s place before they saw the state he was in.He flinched when Trip held up a large syringe.
"Just hang in there, bud.I need to flush the wound, but we'll have you all cleaned up soon enough.How's your head?"
"Doing good, Doc," said Emmett."You've got no worries.I'm not dizzy.I can see straight."
Trip gave him a skeptical look."You're not going to tell me you don't have a headache."
"I wish I could."
"You know the deal with concussion, Emmett."
Emmett pursed his lips and averted his gaze while Trip continued to work on the wound.His hand formed a white knuckled fist on the bed sheet.
His room was on the first floor, and he had a decent view of the parking lot from here.Harper must have gone back out and moved her truck after she brought him to the main entrance when they arrived.He could see her truck out there now.
