Page 110 of A Dream for Daphne

He took the clipboard for her and brought her to the side to sit.

There were people looking at the two of them, but he didn’t care.

It was more the fact they knew Daphne was injured and it wasn’t a pretty sight.

“Can you write?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said. “If you hold the clipboard in place.”

He watched as she filled out the first sheet, then a nurse came out and called her name.

He took the board and went in with her.

The nurse did an exam quickly, took a bunch of the information, and typed it into the computer so that Daphne didn’t have to fill out any past medical history.

“Dr. James will be in in a few minutes. You’re his next patient.”

“I appreciate him seeing me at the last minute like this. I know he squeezed me in.”

The nurse smiled. “It’s fine. The hospital always appreciates this over someone going to the ER. In the end, it’s better for everyone.”

“And less wait time for sure,” she said.

The nurse left. “I bet we are still here for a bit,” she said. “I’m sorry you had to do this. Maybe I should have had an ambulance come.”

“Daphne,” he said. “Don’t tick me off. I was coming with you regardless. Just like I know you’d be here if it was me.”

“I would,” she said. “I’m sorry. I’m really messed up in the head. And it just occurred to me I should call Aster.”

“I’m sure Poppy told him and then said what happened.”

“Probably,” she said.

The door opened and he assumed that was Theo that came in. He’d never met the guy, but Daphne had said Theo did Aster’s surgery not that long ago.

“It looks like your family is keeping me busy,” Theo said.

“Not planned,” she said. “This is Abe Cooke.”

“Nice to meet you,” Theo said, shaking Abe’s hand. “I’ve heard about you. When I listen to Daisy talking about work and people. Sometimes it goes in one ear and out the other.”

He laughed. “I want to agree with you.”

“So you took a swan dive catching Poppy’s daughter?” Theo said. “I’ve heard she’s a handful.”

“She’s just active,” she said. “But a good kid. She doesn’t always listen when she gets excited. Like today.”

“Let’s take a look,” Theo said. “I’m going to need to get your shirt off. The nurse should have given you a gown, but we are a bit short staffed and she’s new.”

“She was very helpful and put all my information into the computer so I didn’t have to write it,” she said.

“And I can see you don’t like anyone to get into trouble for anything,” Theo said. “No worries. Let’s get your right arm out and see if we can slip your shirt over your head and off your left arm. The neck is pretty wide.”

“And the shirt stinks. I’m sorry. Tatum threw up on me and there is formula mixed in.”

Theo laughed. “I’ve seen much worse. If we can’t get it off, we’ll have to cut it. Then you’d be leaving in a gown or paper shirt.”

“I’d go buy her a new one,” he said.

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