Page 78 of Body Shot

“I will.”

Hayden turns to her uncle. “You’re taking her to the doctor?”

“Of course.”

Should the old guy be driving? Eh, he does seem pretty sharp, and physically fit.

“Make sure she tells the doctor,” Hayden says.

“I will.”

She glances around. “Did you eat dinner?”

“I was trying to make some soup,” Gina says. “That’s when I fell.”

“You weren’t using your walker, were you?”

Gina sighs. “No. I was just in the kitchen and it’s hard to cook and get things out of cupboards with it. It’s in the way.”

Hayden’s mouth tightens and she looks at her uncle. “Uncle Colin, you need to help out more. Let Aunt Gina sit in a chair and tell you what to do.”

Her uncle nods, his face drawn. “You’re right, I know. I was busy outside and . . . hell. I’m sorry, Gina honey. This is my fault.”

“It’s not your fault.” Gina smiles at him. Their love for each other is evident, which is pretty damn cool considering how long they must have been together. “I’ll be more careful.”

I watch Hayden’s expression as she clearly struggles with something. “I’ll make you some soup and a sandwich,” she says, rising.

“I can help,” I offer.

She shoots me a smile. “Thanks.” She gets her aunt back into her recliner. “Did you take any pain medication, Aunt Gina?”

“No.”

Hayden swallows another sigh. “I’ll get you some.”

I follow her into a generous kitchen lined with oak cupboards, more big windows looking out onto the generous yard out back. Hayden runs a glass of water and empties a pill from a small bottle into her hand. “Could you take this to her? I’ll start heating the soup.”

“You bet.”

I return to the living room and help Gina take the pill, sensing her reluctance. But still, she’s going along with it, maybe because it’s me.

Together Hayden and I find bread and cheese slices and she soon has bowls of tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches on the small table. She calls to her aunt and uncle, and they slowly make their way to the kitchen to sit and eat.

“Thank you, Hayden.” Gina spoons up soup. “What would we do without you?”

One corner of Hayden’s mouth lifts. “I don’t know, actually.”

“Hayden is our angel,” Gina says to me. “Seriously. She’s been such a help since my fall.”

Hayden drops her eyes, but smiles.

Warmth spreads through me. “I’m sure she has. I know how much she cares about you.”

“And we love her too. She’s an amazing girl, you know.”

“I’m finding that out more and more,” I murmur. I catch Hayden’s gaze and she does an eye roll.

“You two aren’t eating?” Gina asks. “Have some soup.”

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