Page 107 of A Dream for Daphne

“Shhh,” Abe said. “Stay still. I think you might have dislocated your shoulder. Don’t move. Let me call an ambulance.”

“No,” she said. “Someone can take me. I need to call Reese to come get the kids. Oh my God, Tatum. He’s crying.”

“He’s fine,” he said. “Mac is bringing him closer. That’s why you hear him crying.”

“He threw up and I was dealing with that and Holly took off on a run and I couldn’t watch them both. It’s my fault.”

“Stop,” he said. She felt the tears running from her eyes. “No one is hurt but you. The kids are fine. I’m going to call Reese now. You stay right here like this. Let me get you water.”

She wanted to take care of Tatum, but she couldn’t stand up. She knew her legs were working, but her brain couldn’t get them to do what they were supposed to. Not yet at least.

She turned her head and Mac had Tatum in his arms and was soothing the baby. That was something at least.

Abe brought her over water and handed it to her with his phone to his ear. “Reese, it’s Abe. Daphne is hurt and I need to bring her to the ER. We’ve got her and the kids down here at the cabin. The kids are fine if you can come get them.”

“Give me the phone,” she said.

“Daphne wants to talk to you,” he said to Reese.

“What happened, Daphne?” Reese asked.

“The kids are fine. I’m so sorry. I don’t mean to leave you like this.”

“Nonsense,” Reese said. “I’m getting in my truck now. I’ll be right down. Put Abe back on, please.”

“He wants to talk to you,” she said, handing it back over.

She put the bottle of water between her legs to hold it there and then twisted the top off with her right hand and took a drink.

She felt like a fool sitting there, but standing up would be hard. It wasn’t helping everyone was staring at them.

“Holly took off on a run away from Daphne and toward my backhoe. She was climbing up and Daphne ran after her. As soon as Holly started to fall, Daphne dove to catch her but then landed on her shoulder. I think she dislocated it. Holly is fine. Just scared that it all happened so fast. Tatum was in the stroller with the safety locks on.”

She hated that Abe was telling Reese that she wasn’t watching the kids and now she was worried she might get fired.

Holly could have been seriously hurt. Tatum was left abandoned.

This was a nightmare and if she wasn’t in such pain, she’d be planning on how she could find another job.

Abe hung up the phone and moved back to her.

“Why did you tell him that? I sound so incompetent.”

“No, you don’t,” he said. “Every single person here would vouch that you saved Holly from getting hurt.”

“But I should have never let her out of my sight. Tatum was vomiting and I was cleaning it up and next thing I know she was gone.”

“She’s an active little girl and a curious one. Don’t blame yourself for this. Shit, I could blame myself for the equipment being there.”

“That’s crazy,” she said. “You’re doing your job.”

“And so are you.”

They turned when a truck came to a halt and Reese got out and ran over.

Holly raced to him and put her arms up. “I’m sorry, Daddy. I didn’t mean to get Daphne hurt. I’m sorry.”

“Shhhh,” Reese said. “Stop crying. It’s okay. You’re not hurt?”

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