Page 55 of The Inn Dilemma

I motion nonchalantly with my hands. “Feel free. They were there for it.”

Dr. Hollinsbrook thumbs through my chart and keeps his focus on it as he speaks. “It looks like Nova has a few bruised ribs, and the cut on her leg was superficial enough to not need stitches.” He looks up and stares at me. “For what you experienced, these are minor things.”

Something comes to mind and I’m grateful Mom and Dad aren’t here like Mom originally suggested. I turn to Holt and Aunt Birdie. “Would you two mind stepping out for a second? I want to ask the doctor something a little more personal.”

Aunt Birdie nods, but Holt looks unsure.

“It will just be a second,” I try to reassure him.

“Okay,” he says before walking out and closing the door.

Dr. Hollinsbrook closes the file and leans casually against the wall.

“What can I do for you?”

“Do you know my blood type?”

He appears taken aback by my question but reopens my file and flips through the pages. “Not currently, but I can give you a few places where they can find that out for you.”

“Would you mind?” I ask.

“Of course.” Dr. Hollinsbrook pulls the pad and pen out of the side table, jots down a few lab names, tears the paper from the pad, and hands it to me. “There you are.”

“Thank you,” I say.

He pulls a small stack of papers out of the file and hands them to me, going through what I should and shouldn’t do as I recover.

Once he’s gone, a plan takes shape in my mind. It’s nosmall thing, and I know it’s something I need to pray about. But as each second ticks by, a feeling of rightness fills my chest.

Today is a turning point, and I won’t allow fear of the unknown to hold me back from jumping into something I feel in my very core is a part of God’s plan.

Chapter Nineteen

Nova

My childhood home looks exactly as it did when I ran off to Paris. But ever since walking through the door after my time in the hospital, everything feels completely different.

The kitchen that was once my parents’ favorite battleground is now where they make each other coffee and share countless laughs. Where there used to be screaming and fighting, there’s flirtatious banter and intimate whispers.

The changes with my parents make me feel like I’m living someone else’s life. Mom has been doting on me every chance she gets, even after countless assurances that I am perfectly fine. Sure, I’ve needed to take a few over-the-counter pain pills, but outside of that, I’m my normal self. She’s only let me cook and bake with her after consistent begging.

Things definitely could have gone worse.

Reese has come over to visit after work and we’ve stayed up way too late eating ice cream and other junkfood. Just like we did when we were kids having a sleepover.

Today is the last day I’m allowing myself to just rest before going back to the Storybook Inn. I’ve read ten books since getting out of the hospital and am currently on my eleventh.

I’ve become fully immersed in Ryken and Marigold’s world inA Sea of Golden Chainsby Callie Thomas when I’m scooped into large arms. Clutching my book tightly to my chest, I glare up at Holt.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I ask.

A half grin sits on his lips. “Taking you on a ride.”

I drop my book on the side table as he walks past it, then cross my arms over my chest. “What if I don’t want to go? Mom and Dad will be worried to see I’m gone.”

Holt stops and looks down at me. “You do want to go, though. Besides, I already spoke to them while you were reading your little fantasy novel.”

I tilt my chin up defiantly and push out my bottom lip. “Well, maybe I just wanted to read my little fantasy book this evening.”

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