Page 227 of Fighting Chance

“You have a kit?”

Bella dips her chin. “Anti-inflammatory foods, naturopathic supplements, honestly anything to get the inflammation down and her immune system stronger.”

A look is all it takes—I need to get a kit of my own.

“I’ll also call your specialist and schedule an emergency visit.”

“Thanks, B.”

“Anytime.” Standing, Bella blows out a deep breath, steeling herself for the hours to come. “Keep the temperature high. Don’t let it go lukewarm.”

“I’ve got her, Bella.”

She pauses, her eyes zeroing in on my face, and she must find something she likes because despite the situation, she offers me a small tentative smile. “I know you do.”

Layla, now out of the bath, is somehow managing to stand despite the pain I continue to watch roll over her features.

“I can take care of Emmy,” Bella offers, looking past my shoulder into the living room where she’s cuddling with Bambi on the floor.

“No, Kieran, you should stay with Emmy. Bella can take me,” Layla says softly.

“No.”

Bella swivels to face me incredulously while Layla arches a brow. “No?”

“I want to take you, so please let me help. I’ll go out of my mind if I have to stay here and wait.”

Bella and Layla exchange a glance, a simple look that seems to hold a thousand words and an entire conversation.

“Please, Layla, let me take you,” I say again.

My chest is beginning to get that buzzing sensation, the telltale tightness of panic, and I fear that if I don’t go with her, I’ll be left here to have a panic attack. Every instinct in my body is screaming to take care of her, to help in any way I can.

I’ve never felt so useless before, utterly helpless to stop the pain from destroying her. The least I can do is take her to her specialist.

Biting her lip, Layla whispers, “Are you sure?”

I place a kiss on top of her head and whisper hoarsely, “I’m begging, sunshine. Don’t make me get on my knees and plead.”

Layla peeks behind me at Bella. “Are you sure you’re okay to?—”

“I’m overdue for auntie time. I promise it’s okay. Grayson is driving to the airport to pick Allie and Carlton up right now, and the second she gets wind of this, she’ll be over here in a heartbeat.”

“She’s in town again?”

Bella nods. “They’re looking at houses this weekend.”

I go to wrap my arm around Layla but think better of it. “See, Allie will be bulldozing the situation in no time.”

That manages to make her laugh a little. “Okay, fine, let’s go.”

We’ve managed to keep Emmy preoccupied with Bambi but she’s been watching the entire interaction from her spot on the floor, her head resting on Bambi’s belly, and I know she can tell something is wrong.

“Bella, do you mind helping her in my car?” Handing over the keys to my truck, I head over to my little girl.

Her eyes watch me the entire time as I round the couch; they don’t even leave my face when the garage door opens and closes behind us. Sitting in front of her, my hand reaches out and pats Bambi behind her ear, hitting a spot that makes her groan low in her throat, like a purr.

“Auntie Bella is going to take care of you. Is that okay?”