Page 75 of Roaring Fork Rockstar

I grabbed it, along with a soft blanket in Luna’s favorite color, purple. The cashier wrapped everything in tissue paper and placed it in a gift bag.

“For your daughter?” she asked with a smile.

The question caught me off guard. “For a very special little girl,” I answered, not bothering to correct her assumption.

Balancing the tray and gift bag, I made my way to Luna’s room. Outside the door, I paused at the sound of Luna’s voice, surprisingly animated, given she’d been sound asleep when I left.

“And then the unicorn flew all the way to the mountain with the magic flower,” she was saying. “She wasn’t scared at all, Mommy.”

“That sounds very brave,” Keltie replied, her voice gentle. “Just like a girl I know.”

I knocked softly before pushing the door open with my knee. Luna’s face brightened when she saw me.

“Mr. Holt! I was telling Mommy about the new story I thought of.”

“Can’t wait to hear it,” I said, setting the tray and bag down. “But first, I brought something for your mom.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” Keltie said, though the gratitude in her eyes conveyed otherwise.

“Figured you’d be hungry, and even if you weren’t, you should eat something decent.” I handed her the coffee first, which she accepted like it was liquid gold. “And I may have found something for a certain magical creature enthusiast.”

Luna’s eyes widened as I presented her with the gift bag. “Is it my birthday?”

“Who says presents are only for birthdays?” I winked at her, earning a giggle.

She tore into the tissue paper, gasping when she pulled out the pink stuffed animal. “Mommy, look!”

“What are you going to name her?” I asked, enjoying her excitement.

Luna cocked her head and tapped her cheek. “Shimmer,” she decided. “Because she shimmers like the stars.”

“Perfect name,” Keltie said, meeting my eyes over Luna’s head with a small smile that conveyed volumes.

A nurse came in to check her vitals and adjust her IV. Luna barely noticed, too busy introducing Shimmer to Bunny.

“How’s our patient doing?” the woman asked, recording numbers from the machines.

“She’s a rock star,” Keltie said, her voice holding steady despite the worry I knew she carried.

“That’s for sure,” she agreed. “Oh, and Dr. Robbins said to tell you she’ll be in shortly.”

After she left, Keltie turned to me. “Did you reach Ben?”

“Left him a message,” I said. “And I talked to Buck. He’s going to track him down for us.”

“Thank you,” she said quietly. “I’ve been trying to figure out how to handle the, err, situation.”

“Buck mentioned another idea too. Flynn’s organizing a benefit concert for Luna.”

“But the charity?—”

“There are always costs that insurance and assistance don’t cover,” I said. “Besides, it gives everyone at home a way to help.”

She blinked rapidly. “Everyone’s been so kind.”

“The Goat’s a special place. So is the person who runs it.”

A soft knock interrupted us as Dr. Robbins entered. “How’s my favorite patient?” she asked with a warm smile.

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