Page 10 of Wildflower Hearts
“That’s where you’re wrong.” She met her mother’s gaze. “The only family I need is right here.” She remained standing where she was until the elevator doors slid shut behind Veronica and Bruno. The tension immediately slipped out of her, and she let out a rush of air, blushing as the staff around her began to clap. Melissa shot her a thumbs up. Lyla glanced down at her hand still in Elias’s. ”Oh, sorry.”
He grinned and released her.
“I guess I should thank you. No one’s ever stood up to my mother like that before.”
“From the looks of it, that included you.”
“I’m afraid so.” She glanced past him to see Chief Stewart and waved with two fingers. He returned to the signal before he disappeared into the elevator. “My boyfriend, huh? That’s certainly news to me.”
“It was to your mother, too,” he laughed. “I enjoyed that part the most. Well, a close second behind you telling her where she could stick it.”
“I don’t know what came over me. That wasn’t me.” Lyla shook her head. “I’ve never been that rude. I don’t like how it makes me feel.”
“There’s nothing wrong with standing up for yourself. If you don’t do it, no one else will.”
“You and Melissa helped me…”
“You stood up to her first. Remember that.”
She managed to smile. “How is your brother doing? I was about to check on him, but since things were quiet, I figured Reba had him covered.” He studied her, and it made her fidget. “What?”
“After what happened, you still have your mind on someone other than yourself.”
“It’s my-”
“Job, I know. Noah’s fine, and Mark’s with him. We’ve decided to stay with him on rotating shifts until he gets better.”
“You plan on doing that for almost a month?”
“Trust me, it won’t take Noah long to recover. He’s a Kingsley.”
“I hope you’re right, Elias. He has a long road ahead of him. So far, despite the bumps, he’s doing great.” She began to say something else when she spotted Reba from the corner of her eye. “Yes, Reba?”
“Chief Stewart says you’re due to end your double in a few hours anyway, so you’re supposed to clock out now.”
“But I-”
Reba took the papers and folders despite her protests. “Your next shift is at ten o’clock on Friday. He instructed you to use your day off wisely.” The nurse pivoted on her heels, a smile on her face as Lyla left her standing there empty-handed.
Fatigue suddenly caught up with her, making her too tired to argue. “Fine, you guys win.”
“Go home,” Melissa muttered. “Rest those big brass ones. I bet they’re sore from all the beatings they gave today.”
“Melissa!”
All the nurses laughed as they began to work again, the phones ringing, and papers exchanging.
“Come on,” Elias nudged his head. “I’m headed home. I’ll give you a ride.”
“I drove here.”
“Damn, a golden opportunity missed.”
“Thank you again for what you did.”
He shrugged nonchalantly. “It was nothing. You’re taking care of my baby brother. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. My family owes you. We won’t forget your kindness.”
“I wish nothing more than a speedy recovery for him.”
