Page 68 of The Vet's Unconditional Love
"I'll be as mean as I can.How about that?"
"Deal."
"Okay, I'll see you in a little while."
Chapter Fifteen
"How are the girls holding up?"Trip asked as he straightened up.
"They'll be fine," said Emmett."They were a bit scared when Cash brought them home this morning and they saw the state I’m in."
Trip pursed his lips."I hate to say it, bud, but I can see why.You're not exactly a pretty sight."
"I know."Emmett closed his eyes against the thudding inside his head.The light was too bright and the room kept going fuzzy.
"Are you sure you're okay?"Trip asked.
"Yeah, I'm good."Emmett opened his eyes again."I mean, it's not much fun, but I'll survive."
"Too damn right you will.I'm here to make sure of it.Which hurts worse?"
Emmett gave him a wry smile."The ribs.It has to be the ribs."
"Well, as much as that sucks for you, I'm glad to hear it.That's the way it should be.We want your head to be low grade pain, and the hole in your shoulder isn’t fun, but as long as it’s not infected, it shouldn’t even register on the pain scale compared to your ribs.Have you figured out what you're going to do about work yet?"
"Janey sent me a message this morning.She's going to come over tomorrow so that we can work through next week's appointments.She thinks she's going to figure out how she can cover them all.In the meantime, I'm trying to figure out how I can."
"You can't," said Trip."Be real, Emmett.You can't even try; there's no way."
"No, I know that, but I have to figure something out, Trip.There's no way I can sit here on my ass all week."
"I know I won't win any arguments with you over that.All I'll say is, next time you're hobbling down the hallway to the bathroom, think about how you'll feel riding in a truck with someone else driving."
Emmett let out a breath."Yeah, yeah, I know."
"I don't want to give you a hard time; I want you to heal.I know the girls are going to help as much as they can, but they can't do everything."
"And I wouldn't ask them to," Emmett said a little too sharply.He lifted a hand as if to apologize, but Trip shook his head.
"I know you wouldn't.I'm just wondering who is going to step up and help out.Shelley and I will..."
"I know you would.Thanks.Everyone would.But Blane's offered himself up to be my chauffeur and personal assistant."
"That's no surprise," said Trip."And Harper?"
"Yeah, she's offered, too."
"You don't sound happy about that.You don't want to have to rely on her?"
"No, it's not that.Well, maybe it is.It's just that it's not ideal as we're starting to get to know each other."
"Maybe not," said Trip, "but then again, maybe it is.It seems to me that if she's carrying part of the load until you get back on your feet, you two will get to know each other a whole lot better, a whole lot quicker."
Emmett nodded slowly.
"Are you saying you're not ready for that?"Trip asked.
"As much as it surprises me, I think I am.It's the girls I'm not so sure about."
