Page 72 of Dark Obsession

“I’m okay,” she said, her voice rough with pain.She took a deep breath and tried to relax, hoping that would speed up the process and make it less uncomfortable.

Dr.Paulson worked another stitch out, then took a step back and pulled off his gloves.“Okay, we’re done here.The nurse will help you with a shower if you’d like, or you could have someone else help you, if you wish.Or you can wait until you get home.I’ll discharge you, and you should be ready to go in an hour or so.”

Keira’s eyes flew to his, excited to be out of here, but afraid of where she would go.

He patted her arm.“I think everything is going to be okay for you, young lady.Trust your heart.”

Keira just nodded and then bit her lip.She knew what he was talking about.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen.There’s still a lot I can’t remember.”

Dr.Paulson patted her foot that lay under the blanket.“You’ll know when you’re ready.I was going to keep you another night, but I think you’ll sleep better at home.I don’t want you by yourself for a week or so, not until you gain some strength back.”

“When can I go back to work?”

Dr.Paulson squinted at her over his eyeglasses.“You young people always need to go here and there, always busy.Take a few days and then only go back half days, let your sister do the heavy things.Do you have somewhere in that little store of yours to rest if you need to?”

“We have a sofa in the office.”

“Good, I want you to lie down for a bit every hour.Don’t push it or you’ll end up back in here with me.”

“I understand.”

“Yes.”He narrowed his eyes at her over his glasses.“Well, I’m going to tell your family my instructions.Just in case you forget.”

He chuckled when she scowled.“You can’t put one over on me, young lady.I’ve heard it all.”

“And then some,” the nurse added with an exaggerated whisper.

Keira laughed and watched the doctor walk toward the door.“Dr.Paulson?”

He turned toward her.“Yes.”

“Thank you for everything.I also wanted to tell you that you remind me a lot of my grandpa, and he was one of my all-time favorite people in this world.”

A red flush crept up his face.“Yes, well.You’re very welcome.Take care now.”

Both Keira and the nurse watched the door close before looking at each other and bursting out laughing.

“I’ve never seen that man blush or smile that much, especially since his wife died last year.”

Keira blinked back tears.“Oh, that poor man.He must get very lonely without her.”

The nurse pulled Keira up to sit on the side of the bed and kept a hand on her arm in case she got dizzy.“Absolutely.The nurses take care of him the best they can, and he has a son and daughter close.So, he’s not alone.”

“I can tell you all care for him very much.”

“He reminds me of my father,” the nurse said as she smiled fondly.

“Tell me when you’re rea—” The door opened, interrupting her.

The nurse and Keira stopped when her sister, Logan, Daniel, and Conner walked through.

“Wow, this is quite the family you have,” the nurse said.

Keira’s eye stayed locked on Daniel’s.She opened her mouth to deny they were all family, then shut it.It was up to her if they were a family or not.

“The doctor told us you’re going to be discharged today.”Layla walked over to Keira and sat on the bed next to her.“I bet you’re excited?”

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