Page 120 of Forgotten Desires

She giggles. “Just like you, Daddy.”

“Well, my strong little niece, we better get out of here before you hurt someone,” Kimberly says, getting to her feet.

“I want to stay with Daddy and see Brynn.”

I take her hands in mine. “Brynn is going to be very sleepy and won’t be able to see us, but as soon as she’s better, she made me promise to let you come visit. Go with Aunt Kimberly and I’ll be home to see you tomorrow.” Her lip drops but she nods. “That’s my ladybug. Give me a big hug.”

She does, and much too soon I let her go, grateful for getting some time to think of anything other than the surgery.

After they leave, a nurse comes in to update us that both Brynn and Howie are doing well, and they should be getting ready to close them up within the next hour.

The four of us head down to get some food, and when I get back up to the waiting room, the doctor is walking down the hall. I call her name.

She stops and heads back to where we are.

“How is she?”

“She did great. Howie is still in surgery, but doing well. Everything went just as we hoped and Brynn will be back in the recovery room in about twenty minutes, and then one person can go back at a time for no more than ten minutes.”

“I’m staying with her tonight.”

Dr. Carr nods. “That’s fine, but just one person and she’s going to be very tired and out of it.”

“I know, but she won’t be alone.”

She fills us in on some other things, explaining possible side effects and what will happen during the next week while she’ll be here for observation.

“Mr. Knight, I just wanted to personally thank you for the donation you made to Guardian Angels. You have no idea how many people’s lives you’re helping.”

I tense because I haven’t told anyone other than Ford about the donation. “It was nothing.”

“I don’t think six million dollars is nothing. You’ve given families who were beyond stressed out about how to pay for surgery peace of mind,” Dr. Carr says with a sigh. “I know you did it to fund your wife’s surgery, but you donated so much more than was needed.”

“Brynn’s is being covered by insurance,” I clarify.

“Well, whatever the reasons or the payment source, just know that my team is deeply grateful, and we appreciate the generosity you’ve shown.”

“Thank you for taking care of my wife. I’d truly appreciate it if you didn’t say anything to her about the donation. I wanted it to remain anonymous.”

“Of course. I won’t say anything,” she promises.

“Thank you, Doctor.” I shake her hand and turn to see Asher, Grady, and Rowan standing behind me.

“Not a word,” I warn them.

“You want us to lie to Brynn and not tell her she didn’t get some grant because of whatever crap she was fed?” Rowan asks.

“No, I want you to forget you heard any of that and not say a word to her. She doesn’t want my money and technically, she didn’t get it. She got money from the charity and insurance,” I clarify.

Asher laughs once. “You think my sister is going to make the same distinction?”

“I think Brynn needs to focus on her recovery.”

Rowan snorts. “My friend, you’re in a world of trouble when my sister finds out and I can’t wait. If you could have the fallout in Sugarloaf, that would be great, I’m sure we’d all like to watch.”

I roll my eyes. “I’ll see what I can do.”

Rowan and Asher walk away, joking with each other, and Grady waits silently. “I would’ve done the same if I knew it mattered to Addison.”

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