Page 21 of Heal Me One Night

For the first time, I don’t feel intimidated by him. “Grew up on one. Help on my days off, now.”

“I respect that a lot. You’re definitely different than Dakota.”

“I’ve heard a few things about him.”

“Yeah, he was a piece of shit from the day I met him. Both of those girls deserved better than what he gave them.” He rocks back on the heels of his boots. “That’s neither here nor there, though. Here’s Karli’s medicine.” He hands it to me, but doesn’t release the bag when I grasp it with my fingers. I raise my eyes to his. “Make no mistake, this time if she gets hurt, I won’t hold my tongue. You’ll feel my wrath, and it’s not one that you’ll want to be on the opposite end of.”

“I don’t doubt it, Ranger. I don’t plan on hurting either of them.”

Ranger shoves his fingers through his hair. “No one ever plans to do anything, Silas. Just be honest with them and yourself.”

“I will. Thanks for the medicine.”

“Thanks for taking care of them. If you need me, I’m sure you can find my number on Britt’s phone.”

With those words, he turns and leaves. This man is so much like my own father. I have to pinch myself to make sure they aren’t the same person. Holding the bag of medicine, I go back to the kitchen, where Britt has gotten herself together. “Got Karli’s stuff.” I put it on the counter. “Why don’t you go get some sleep? You could use it, and if you get sick, you’re going to be no help to her.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m positive. Go on upstairs. I’ve got this under control.”

She kisses my cheek before slowly walking up. “It looks like I’m always going to be thanking you, Silas.”

“You’ll always be welcome.” I grin before grabbing another donut and heading over to the couch.

“What areyou doing on my couch?” I hear the whisper super close to my ear. I slowly open my eyes and come face-to-face with Karli.

“Hey, how are you feeling?” I ask her, automatically reaching out to check her temperature. Her forehead is much cooler than it was last night.

“A little better. My throat hurts, and I’m not as itchy as I was.” She climbs up on the couch and has a seat on my stomach. “Why are you at my house?”

Rubbing a hand over my face, I do my best to wake up. “I’m friends with your mom and I came to check on you.”

“On me?” She seems surprised.

“Who wouldn’t want to check on you? You seem like a cute kid.”

“I am.” She smiles widely, showing a missing tooth. “I’m hungry.”

This is good news. “What do you want to eat?”

She whispers. “Mom doesn’t usually let me have cereal, but I’m sick.” She coughs pitifully, definitely laying it on thick. “Maybe I could have it?”

I’m slipping, giving into her. “Alright, let’s go find some.”

After getting a quick delivery, I’m standing in the kitchen pouring milk into her bowl, as she chatters on about all the things she’s been doing in school. I make sounds where I’m supposed to, but I’m still trying to wake up.

“Do you think he likes me, Doc? Cause I like him.”

I shake my head, trying to clear the cobwebs. “I’m sure. Who wouldn’t like you?”

“Sydney said I was a little brat, and a tattletale...”

I half-snort, trying to hold it in, and that’s when I see Britt standing on the stairs, watching the two of us with a look of amazement on her face. I’m grinning as I continue talking to Karli. “Sounds like Sydney knows a thing or two about that...”

SIXTEEN

Britt

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