Page 44 of Kent's Honor
“Pretty darn good. The doctors tell me I can go home tomorrow,” Simon said.
“That’s great.” Elle sat up a little taller. “Do you have someone who can help take care of you?”
“I’m going to go to my sister’s house to recover. Once I’m completely healed, I will take a vacation to visit my brother in Alaska. After that, it’s back to work.”
“I’m glad you have family to look after you.” She patted the back of his hand. “But if there is anything we can do for you, I hope you’ll reach out. Maybe before you leave for your trip, we can all get together. Go fishing or something.”
“I’d like that.” Simon nodded as the nurse came through the door.
“Come on, Elle.” Kent gave her a good nudge. “We best get going. It’s getting way too close to Nicky’s nap time, and you know how cranky he gets when he doesn’t get a good one in.” He took Simon’s hand in a firm shake. “Don’t hesitate to call us if you need anything at all.”
“And vice versa.” Simon nodded.
Kent looped his arm around Elle’s shoulders. “I’m so proud of you,” he said once in the corridor. “You’re turning into a fine young lady.”
“Thanks, Daddy.” She glanced up. “Does that mean I can go to the movies with Lucy and Kristen tomorrow afternoon? Without you sitting in the back of the theater?”
He laughed. “Only if I can take you girls out for pizza after.”
“Don’t get mad, Dad, but I’d rather Dixie take us out after. Make it a girls’ thing.”
Kent batted his little girl’s nose. She’d forever be that in his eyes. “I suppose it won’t kill me to hang out with Nicky and let you all do women stuff.”
“Thanks, Daddy. I love you.”
“I love you too, Buttercup.”
Elle rolled her eyes.
“I’m never going to stop calling you that, but I will promise to only do it during private moments like this.”
“I can live with that.”
“Elle! Kent!” Nicky jumped to his feet the second they turned the corner and entered the waiting room. “Look! Look at all the blocks and what I made.”
Kent leaned over. “Any idea what that is?”
“Your guess is as good as mine,” Elle said.
“It’s a fire station and I’m going to be a firefighter, just like Kent.” Nicky dropped to the floor, picked up a block, and made an engine noise.
Kent tapped the center of his chest and let out a long breath. “Elle, sweetie. Would you mind playing with him for a couple of minutes? I want to talk with Dixie in the hallway for a second.”
“Sure, Dad,” Elle said.
In a month, his world had changed in so many ways. Sometimes, it was hard to find the right time to express his feelings, and moments passed him by.
Not today.
“Is everything okay?” Dixie asked. “Did something happen while she was visiting Simon?”
“No. That went better than I could have ever imagined. My little girl is growing up right in front of me and I get I can’t stop it.”
Dixie rested her hands on his shoulders and smiled. “She’ll always be your little girl, even when she’s married with children?—”
“Let’s not push it, okay?” He laughed, cupping Dixie’s face. “I don’t believe I’ve ever said this proper. Thank you for taking good care of our girl under the worst of circumstances. Knowing she was with you was the only thing that got me through that horrifying two hours.” He brushed his lips over hers.
“Kent—” He pressed his finger over her lips.
