Page 12 of Shuttered Hearts

“Yeah.” Max leans forward and gives me a quick hug. I hold him longer than he wants, but there might come a day when hedoesn’t offer affection as freely as he does now. So I’m going to hold on as long as I can.

six

QUINN

“A book?That’s what you bring to help me pass the time?” my dad says in exasperation, but I catch the small smile and wink he throws Max’s way to show he’s joking.

Max quickly covers his giggle with his hand, eyes going round when he glances at me.

I smile and play along. “Well, if I remember correctly, you should limit your time looking at a screen when you have a concussion. So, yes, you get a book to help you pass the time.”

“Well, when you put it like that, how can I argue?” Dad sets the book on the table in front of him, a smile on his face.

“I’m sure you can find a way,” Caleb says as he brings another chair into the room. “Here you go, Quinn.”

“Thanks.” I grab the chair from Caleb, placing it next to Max on the left side of Dad’s hospital bed. Emily sits across from us in one of those standard hospital chairs. You know, the ones that look like they will be one of the most comfortable things in the world. A great place to sit while you visit with your sick friend or family. As if the hospital knows you’re already uncomfortablebeing there in the first place, and they know you need a good place to rest. Only, it turns out to be hard and squeaks loudly when you try to recline. I don’t know how Emily does it, but she honestly looks almost comfortable curled up there.

“So, let’s start with Quinn since it was her first day,” Dad says, turning toward me. “How was it?”

“It was fine. The students were honestly great. Only one kid I see being a bit of a troublemaker, but nothing I can’t handle.”

“Ah, yes, Tyler Harrison. Declan told me about him. I think he’s had him as a student for a few years now. His father isn’t in the picture, and his mom has been having issues with the sheriff.” Dad is quiet for a moment before shaking his head as if clearing his mind. “Speaking of Declan, did you meet him today?” There’s something in Dad’s eyes I can’t quite make out. Maybe a spark of hope?

“Um, yeah, I met him before the day officially started,” I tell him, a little distracted by that look in his eye.

“Good. I’m glad. He’s a big part of our lives. I hope you two can become friends.” Well, if I doubted the importance of Declan in our lives, that doubt is gone now.

Dad turns to Max. “How about you? How was your day? Learn anything new?”

“What is it with that question? All three of you have asked me at this point!” Max falls back in his chair, and everyone else laughs.

My mind wanders, and I tune out the conversation.

It’s been made pretty clear Declan is close with my family. I’ve heard it in the way Max and Caleb have briefly spoken about him, and in the way Declan has talked about my family. But knowing Declan confides in my dad about the troubled kid he teaches? I guess it drives the point home even more.

“You okay, Quinn?” I look up to my right and see Emily studying me.

I shake myself from my thoughts. “Yeah, I’m good.”

“Want to walk with me to get some coffee? I’ll sneak you into the doctor’s lounge for the good stuff.” I laugh but get up from my chair to join her. “Anyone else need anything?”

“No, I’ve got to get back to the ER. I’ve still got an hour left in my shift and I’ve taken a long enough break,” Caleb says, standing from the chair Emily had originally been in.

Max and Dad tell us they’re okay, and I follow Emily and Caleb out the door. With Caleb’s hand on Emily’s lower back, he guides her out of the room, giving her a quick kiss on the lips and whispering something, causing her to smile before he turns to me. “I’ll be back later after I sign out my patients to the next shift.”

“Sounds good.”

Emily gestures to the left. “Doctor’s lounge is down this hall here.”

“I’m thinking you and Caleb working here got Dad a private room for the night,” I say as we make our way toward the lounge.

Emily laughs quietly. “Yeah, it definitely didn’t hurt.”

We’re quiet for the rest of the short walk down the hall.

“You seemed a little lost in thought back there. You sure you’re okay?” Emily asks as she grabs a couple of paper cups, handing one to me.

I take a moment to study Emily. If there is anyone not blood-related to me I can trust, it’s Emily. Once Caleb introduced all of us to her, it was like she was always meant to be part of our family. But considering I don’t even know what I’m feeling, I can’t put it into words to tell her anything.

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