Page 47 of Hearts Aweigh
Her boss examined the pile. “Are you hurt?”
“I wrenched my ankle. It—”
“You should be more careful.” He reached out to touch her leg.
Abby clamped her lips. “You’re right.” She moved away before his fingers made contact and stood with effort. “I’ll be fine.”
He rose to his full height. “Are you sure?”
“Never mind me. Go play with Maddie.”
“I have something to do first.” He stalked away without another word.
“Probably looking for a phone charger,” Abby muttered to herself, and shook her head. “Would it kill you to spend five minutes with your own daughter?”
She took a step and flinched. Sharp jolts shot through her ankle. But at least it didn’t feel broken. It was possible to move.
Painful but possible.
“Oh well.” Abby leaned her weight on her heel. “Might as well walk it off.” Maybe if she put her sneakers on, it would help.
“Abby!” Maddie stood at the top of the slide and waved. “Look at me!”
“You did it all by yourself!” Abby masked her pain as she hobbled over. “I’m right here, sweetie.”
Spencer passed his business card to the manager. The man’s desk took up most of the space in the narrow office near the main pool. His sweaty forehead gleamed as he bent to read it.
“As you can see”—Spencer pointed a finger at the card—“I’m well-versed in legal matters. You have a situation to deal with before any more injuries occur.”
“Any more?” The manager shrank.
“One of your own employees hurt her ankle on a careless stack of chairs near the kiddie pool. My daughter and many other children are playing nearby. I’d hate for anyone else to suffer the same accident. I suggest you tell maintenance to remove them before you find yourself on the nasty end of a lawsuit.”
“Oh—oh, yes, sir. Yes, sir!” Sweat beads dripped down his glistening face. “I’ll send someone right away.”
Spencer headed for the exit. He stopped at the door. The spot where he’d left Abby and Madeleine was empty. Where were they? He inspected the area and spied a glossy mane of red hair by a flower-themed splash pad. Madeleine ran among the jets of water, a sunhat hanging from a string around her neck. Abby stood with hands outstretched. Favoring her right leg, she hobbled after his squealing daughter.
The manager zipped to his side. “I’ve contacted maintenance, sir. They’re on their way to examine the problematic area as we speak.”
“Thank you.” Spencer stomped out into the sunshine.
The man scrambled along behind. “I’ll personally apologize to the injured party.”
Spencer wound through the jet streams of the giant splash pad. The blasting cannons doused his khaki trouser legs. He reached Abby, grasped her upper arm, and pointed at her ankle. “Why aren’t you resting?” A shot of water hit him in the chest, and he brushed the moisture away with an impatient hand.
Abby tilted her face to him. Her normal exuberant smile appeared a tad forced. “It doesn’t hurt as bad with my sneakers on. I’m okay.”
Madeleine ran over with a wary expression. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Abby smiled. “Everything is good, Maddie.”
The manager dashed to their group and began a lengthy apology. Spencer waved him away like a pesky housefly. He steered Abby to a nearby bench and urged her to a sitting position. Kneeling on the deck in front of her, he unlaced her shoe. She winced as he gingerly slipped it off her foot.
His jaw clenched at the colorful bruise forming around her ankle. This was his fault. If he hadn’t been caught up in his work, he might have been able to prevent the accident.
The manager flitted in the background. “Oh my—”
“Ugh.” Abby wrinkled her nose. “That isn’t pretty.”
