Page 46 of Nanny for the Cowboy

I have to rely on hope and the belief that I was careful when I moved here, trusting that Kyle can’t know I’m here.

And it’s not working.

SEVENTEEN

Brooks

“Dad, this is boring.”

I look over at Darby, who’s got his tablet with him for just this reason, and sigh. It’s been five minutes since we arrived at the doctor’s office, and I have a feeling we have a lot more waiting to go.

“Buddy, this is why I told you to download a new game or something.” I point at the sign across from us that details the Wi-Fi information. “Why don’t you find something, huh? It’s going to be a bit before the doctor can get us in.”

“Okay.” Darby walks to the sign to start getting the internet going on his tablet, and I lean back in my chair.

The cast is supposed to come off today, and fucking hell, am I ready for that. I know that I did it to myself, making it take so long, but I need this thing off now.

After a few more minutes, during which Darby is thankfully distracted by the tablet, we’re called back. The nurse does the usual exam, checking my development with a new set of X-rays, and then the good news is delivered.

“Well, Mr. Lowe, it looks like we’re taking this off.”

“Oh, thank God.” I sag with relief.

The nurse, Susan, laughs, and she pats me on the shoulder. “Let me go get the doctor, and we’ll cut this thing in half. Don’t be surprised if your arm looks a little strange. You haven’t been using it, so it’s natural if it’s atrophied a bit.”

I nod, and she leaves so we can get this show on the road. The truth is, I’ve been using my arm as much as I can, which is why it’s taken longer to get this cast off.

“Hey, Dad,” I look over at Darby, “you’re finally getting it off? Like for real this time?”

“Looks like it, bud.” I smile. “Thanks for being patient with me.”

He smiles back, but something is lingering there that I can’t parse out. I’d ask, but the doctor comes in, and we get started with the cast removal.

It doesn’t take too long, but there are all these steps they have to take before they cut through the cast with this tiny buzz saw thing. It’s pretty unnerving, honestly, but before I know it the cast is no more.

I flex my hand, making a fist over and over again, running my fingers over the skin that hasn’t been touched in so long. It’s fucking dry and extremely oversensitive.

“You’ll still need to take it easy for a while, getting used to moving it and using it again.” The doc eyes me, narrowing that stare of his because we both know how this recovery has gone. “And I’ll stress that if you don’t, you might just go and break it again.”

“I’m a rancher, Doc. I have to do a certain amount of heavy lifting.” We hold each other’s stares. “But you have my word that I’ll try my best.”

Dr. James sighs, shrugging before he stands up and shakes my hand. “Well, that’s all I can really expect from you, Brooks. I’d very much like tonotsee you again for a while.”

We both chuckle at that, knowing that this incident really should have taught me a lesson. I stand up, pulling up Darby so we can leave.

“Same, Dr. James. If I do, I hope it’s at the bar.”

He claps a hand on my shoulder, and we’re escorted through the building to get scheduled for a simple follow-up. He suggests physical therapy briefly, but the doctor knows who he’s talking to, so we leave it at just farm work.

“Alright, kiddo. How about some ice cream?” Darby perks up and nods emphatically. “Great. Let’s go.”

Darby getshis usual at Millie’s Ice Cream Parlor, a birthday cake and cotton candy ice cream sandwich, and I stick with my usual as well—caramel in a waffle cone. As far as the two flavors go, we’re pretty different from each other.

Still, I’ll admit that these outings with Darby are some of my favorite memories, and Millie always throws in some extra sprinkles for him.

“So, Dad, I have a question.”

I’m knocked from my thoughts when Darby speaks, and I shake my head, glancing over at him with a grin. He’s got ice cream all over his face and an unused napkin pile between us.

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