Page 112 of A Dream for Daphne

“They are great,” Theo said. “They really are. Don’t worry about them.”

“I’m trying to tell her, but she won’t listen. She’s kind of stubborn.”

“We all are in our own right,” Theo said. “Let’s get your arm in the sling now.”

“I need a new shirt. I can’t stand the way I smell.”

“I’ll go buy you one,” he said. “I should have grabbed one at your house, but I wasn’t thinking.”

“Head over to the hospital now. When you check out, they will tell you where to go and how long it might be for the appointment.”

“Thanks, Dr. James,” she said.

“Theo,” he said. “Once I get the results I’ll give you a call. I should have it tonight.”

“Maybe my future sister-in-law can put a word in with her brother, River.”

Theo laughed. “I’m positive that is going to happen,” Theo said. “That’s why I said I’ll get the results soon.”

Abe helped Daphne off the table, they checked out and were told they had an hour before her MRI appointment.

“Enough time to get me a shirt,” she said. “There is a store around the corner.”

He let out a laugh. “I know there is no arguing with you, is there?”

“No,” she said. “I stink. I can’t stand myself.”

“Now you know how I’ve felt most of my life with my job.”

“I didn’t really understand it until now,” she said. “I know I can’t help what happened, but this is horrible. It’s embarrassing too. But you never stink. I like the smell of you.”

“There is no way you are drugged right now with that shot, are you?”

“No,” she said, snorting. “I feel fine, other than pain. I’m only stating a fact is all.”

“I’m going to stay with you tonight,” he said. “You’re going to need some help. You’re not going to argue with me, are you?”

“No,” she said. “It’s going to take me time to get used to having one arm. And then I’ve got to talk to Poppy and Reese. I don’t know what to say to them.”

He wanted to growl at her but reminded himself that she’d spent her life living paycheck to paycheck, always worrying she might lose her job.

Even though he didn’t believe there would be any issues, he also knew it wasn’t his place to say everything would be fine.

“You tell them what you know,” he said. “And they know anyway.”

Ninety minutes later, Daphne was in the MRI machine and he was in the waiting room.

He’d sent a text to Reese to keep him updated and his phone rang.

“How is she?” Reese asked.

“Better. With any luck, there is no serious damage, but she’s upset and worried about her job. She is blaming herself.”

“That’s nonsense,” Reese said. “Everyone told me what they saw, and regardless, she saved Holly from getting hurt. Do you know how many times I have to tell my daughter not to do something? She listens to Daphne better than she does Poppy and me.”

“Daphne might like to hear that. She keeps thinking she might get fired.”

“That’s crazy. Poppy will be over tonight to check on her. Holly is upset. She says it’s her fault. It kind of is, but you can’t say that to a kid,” Reese said, laughing.

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